Causes: Children & Youth, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Youth Community Service Clubs

Mission: Heads up! Hartford is a not for profit, 501(c)3 volunteer organization that operates a week long summer service camp (with touch points throughout the year) uniting urban and suburban youth to improve our communities. Our three-part mission is to promote diversity, develop collaborative leaders, and provide community service to Hartford, CT and its surrounding communities. Encouraging community service at a young age fosters ongoing community engagement as an adult and enables thriving communities. Studies show that to create positive, sustainable change in our complex world, we need collaborative leaders who value diversity, inclusion, and teamwork.

Target demographics: promote diversity, develop leaders, and strengthen our community

Direct beneficiaries per year: 80 youth and more than 20 local nonprofits

Geographic areas served: central Connecticut

Programs: Summer service camp: 15 consecutive years of service by 85-100 students and 15-30 adults, each summer reaching out to over 20 agencies, churches, and community organizations, totaling over 3000 hours of volunteer work to local non-profits, and service agencies. Evening programming educates the youth about social justice issues and community involvement. Twice a year, weekend workshops are held with our youth advisory board of approximately 25 youth who help plan the camp and get additional training to take on leadership positions during the week in june. At least 3 times per year, we hold super youth groups which bring 50-75 urban kids together to eat, play, and engage in significant conversation.