About Us
Our Mission
The Roots Foundation, Incorporated is a nonprofit organization creating opportunities for youth in the global workforce. We seek to change the narrative for at-risk youth in the Gary, Indiana community by aiding high-school-aged students in attaining higher education through mentorship and access. We want teenagers to realize the full potential of our future to drive a new era of development, growth, and productivity. Our primary program is an after-school mentorship program for students ages 13-18. Students wishing to enroll will need to fill out an enrollment application. The enrollment application process is the first act of helping students understand the importance of academic success. During the mentor program students will receive a monthly educational and informational focus from a team of volunteer mentors. These monthly focus areas will include mental health, physical health, autism awareness, financial literacy, community service, and more. Each focus area will be taught by local experts, including teachers at the local high schools and community college, business professionals, and other qualified individuals. In addition to the monthly educational focus areas, students will have an option for further skill development and mentorship depending on their interest areas. These include our Fine Arts and Athletic Development programs. In the Fine Arts program, we connect with local community groups and nonprofit organizations providing fine arts classes. In the Athletic Development program, we seek to pair student-athletes with mentors who played colligate and professional sports. Students will meet weekly with their mentor to discuss grades, the pressures of being a student-athlete, and navigating the college recruitment process. All programs will be completely free to students enrolled in our program . All high school students enrolled in our mentorship program will also be given the opportunity to enroll in our duel-enrollment program. We seek to provide dual-enrollment classes at the local technical school so high school students can graduate high school while also receiving certifications in culinary arts, graphic design, mechanical engineering, barber or cosmetology, and more. Students interested in these programs can elect to enroll in the duel-enrollment program free of charge. We will cover any expenses necessary in the form of a scholarship. Scholarships will be provided so long as students maintain the requirements for the scholarship including a 2.5 GPA and active attendance at both their high school and the duel-enrollment program. Students who maintain these requirements will be able to renew their scholarships until they receive the certificate or license they are seeking. All functions of the organization are funded through donations and grants and managed by volunteers and the Board of Directors.
Our Mission
The Roots Foundation, Incorporated is a nonprofit organization creating opportunities for youth in the global workforce. We seek to change the narrative for at-risk youth in the Gary, Indiana community by aiding high-school-aged students in attaining higher education through mentorship and access. We want teenagers to realize the full potential of our future to drive a new era of development, growth, and productivity. Our primary program is an after-school mentorship program for students ages 13-18. Students wishing to enroll will need to fill out an enrollment application. The enrollment application process is the first act of helping students understand the importance of academic success. During the mentor program students will receive a monthly educational and informational focus from a team of volunteer mentors. These monthly focus areas will include mental health, physical health, autism awareness, financial literacy, community service, and more. Each focus area will be taught by local experts, including teachers at the local high schools and community college, business professionals, and other qualified individuals. In addition to the monthly educational focus areas, students will have an option for further skill development and mentorship depending on their interest areas. These include our Fine Arts and Athletic Development programs. In the Fine Arts program, we connect with local community groups and nonprofit organizations providing fine arts classes. In the Athletic Development program, we seek to pair student-athletes with mentors who played colligate and professional sports. Students will meet weekly with their mentor to discuss grades, the pressures of being a student-athlete, and navigating the college recruitment process. All programs will be completely free to students enrolled in our program . All high school students enrolled in our mentorship program will also be given the opportunity to enroll in our duel-enrollment program. We seek to provide dual-enrollment classes at the local technical school so high school students can graduate high school while also receiving certifications in culinary arts, graphic design, mechanical engineering, barber or cosmetology, and more. Students interested in these programs can elect to enroll in the duel-enrollment program free of charge. We will cover any expenses necessary in the form of a scholarship. Scholarships will be provided so long as students maintain the requirements for the scholarship including a 2.5 GPA and active attendance at both their high school and the duel-enrollment program. Students who maintain these requirements will be able to renew their scholarships until they receive the certificate or license they are seeking. All functions of the organization are funded through donations and grants and managed by volunteers and the Board of Directors.