
"We thank you for setting the paths to higher education. It was you who further instilled the importance of higher education. It was you who stayed on their backs and in their heads to continue to pursue higher education. It was you who consistently stand by their side through it all."
Teretha Brooks, Parent
Our Mission AND VISION
The mission of Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. is to change the lives of under-represented college-bound students to empower, encourage, and equip them to obtain a post-secondary education.
We empower communities to help students achieve their educational and career goals through statewide comprehensive outreach, initiatives and partnerships with schools, groups, and businesses.
At Higher Heights, our vision is for every under-represented student in the State of Connecticut to have full and equal access to post-secondary education. We provide underserved and underrepresented students with equitable access to college preparatory resources and services – with our support, they are empowered, encouraged, and equipped to go to college and to become leaders within the community.
OUR HISTORY
Since 2004, Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. (HHYEP) has helped advance high school graduation and college enrollment rates amongst Greater New Haven students. With a 100% high school graduation rate and 95% college enrollment rate over 15 years; and 90% of students coming from low-income backgrounds and 85% of students being first-generational; through local and national partners Higher Heights is now positioned to expand its local reach to impact other local districts and the entire State of Connecticut
Our BOARD
Chaka Felder-McEntire, Ed.D.
Executive Director/Founder
Adia C. Jordan
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Dontrell Latta
Alumni
Kaussar Rahman
University of Connecticut
(student)
Briana Belton-Robinson
University of New Haven
Tristan Ward
(current HHYEP student board member)
Taneha Edwards
(Alumni Parent)