"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 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 student in the State of Connecticut to have full and equal access to post-secondary education. We provide 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 20 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
Our staff
Dontrel Latta (Board Chair)
HHYEP Alum
Lygia Davenport
Music Haven - Fund Development
Kim DiBenedetto-Rogers (Alumni Parent)
West Haven CT Cooperative Studies Program
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Kellie Byrd-Danso
Development Officer
Wesleyan University
Adrien Esdaile
Connecticut Community College System
(Gateway Campus)
Whitney Lawson
Connecticut Dept of Children & Families (Social Worker)
James (Jim) Martinez, Ed.D.
Administrator/Educator
Kai S. Perry- Independent Consultant (Healthcare)
Satoshi Suga - Yale School of Management Board Fellow
Tristan Ward, HHYEP Alum
Brown University
Advisory Council
Adia C. Jordan - In Rare Form Consulting & Events
Kalila Hines - Independent Consultant
Founder/Executive Director
Solomon Aromolaran - College Access Advisor
Nathaniel Dymond- College Access Advisor
Keely Segui - AmeriCorp Public Allies Marketing Intern
Rakim Grant - Public Policy Intern