Project LIFT Celebrates 5 Years of Youth Development in North Fulton County

ROSWELL, GA- The average adult in Georgia has the resources necessary to lower unemployment rates, improve health, strengthen the economy, and lower crime rates in local communities throughout the state. By definition, many might consider these skillsets to be above average. The Roswell based organization Project LIFT thought so too when it opened its doors as a performance based mentoring program in January 2009. This year the organization is excited to celebrate 5 years of service in Roswell and supporting communities.

Through Project LIFT, ordinary people are leveraging their extraordinary gift of inciting change through the power of mentoring. The organization, who began serving 12 students in North Fulton County, now works with three schools in the county and has an over 70% return participation rate.

“I think Project LIFT is a great program that helped me overcome a lot of obstacles that I had in my life. They also gave me an awesome mentor who I’m very thankful to have,” says one Haynes Bridge Middle School student of his involvement with Project LIFT.

The organization works with students who are recommended for the program by providing a personal mentor (coach), weekly personal development sessions, and mentor/mentee outings. Many of the students who begin the program are defined as “at-risk”, but leave the program in risk of reaching their greatest potential. The organization works with students beginning in the 8th grade and continues to provide support through graduation.

The impact Project LIFT has had on the community would not be possible without the volunteers, mentors, and surrounding organizations who realize the power of the village mentality. Organizations like Marco’s Pizza, Subway, and Chic-Fil-A, who have consistently contributed to its mission, realize it truly does take a village to raise a child.

The organization is at the start of a new school year and is committed more than ever to continuing in its mission to empower both mentor and mentee. Project LIFT will kick-off its community fundraising efforts with a Comedy Night at Punchline on November 20. The show will begin at 8 p.m. and Punchline will be donating half of the ticket price to the organization.

The power of change lies in your hands. It starts with a yearlong commitment to helping develop a youth mentee and ends with relationships, life skills, and empowerment to last a lifetime. For more information about Project LIFT please contact the organization at www.projectlift.org.

Photo credit: ProjectLIFT