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About Us

Founded in 2017

Who We Are

The Lifting As We Climb Foundation, Inc. (LAWCF) is a 501(c) offers comprehensive programming as a contribution to community education services in the Birmingham/Jefferson County area through our signature programming“Black Rhinos Mentoring Program”. This signature mentoring program offers comprehensive programming as a contribution to community education services in the Birmingham/Jefferson County area.  Grades 9-10 students at  Birmingham area schools are engaged in mentoring sessions that cover topics such as: Conflict resolution, etiquette with females, College/Career Prep, Joining the Military, Juneteenth, and Birmingham’ history with racial trauma. LAWCF is contracted to mentor these cohorts until they graduate high school in 2024 and 2025. 

We mentor students in grades 9-10 students at  Birmingham area schools (Fairfield, Pinson Valley, Pleasant Grove, Minor, Clay Chalkville, Centerpoint, Hueytown, Bessemer City, Midfield,  McAdory, and Tarrant high schools). Our structured engaged mentoring program covers topics such as: Conflict resolution, etiquette with females, College/Career Prep, Joining the Military, Juneteenth, and Birmingham’s history with racial trauma. LAWCF is contracted to mentor these cohorts until they graduate high school in 2024 and 2025.  The mentoring sessions have been provided for highschool males traditionally, but LAWCF has been enabled to mentor high school girls (with Eden’s Garden Girl’s Mentoring) for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond.  We are presently seeking opportunities to expand services throughout Birmingham.

To enhance the academic, social, and emotional growth of students in our community through meaningful connections with adult volunteer mentors and tutors.

Our Mission

LAWCF is deeply committed to our mission. At LAWCF, we offer mentoring, financial and home buying literacy, and job skills development activities to positively affect the lifelong learning and earning capabilities of our youth. LAWCF provides volunteer mentor training, high school tutoring services (in class, virtual, or pull out), and access for public school students and parents to engage in cultural (Field trips to Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice), artistic (Community Arts activities with Toby Richards, Director of Arlington Historic House), and social enrichment activities (Camping at Oak Mountain State Park, Job shadowing, Juneteenth Freedom Celebration, and Community Service).

a group of people standing in a room

The Foundation also serves the juvenile justice system in Birmingham with mentoring. These sessions use the same inclusive curriculum, build character, increase social justice understanding, and provide socio-emotional support. These particular interventions center on social networking and are conducted at the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center (JCYDC) with Impact Family Counseling and at the Alabama Youth Services School District 210 (ALDYS 210) on the Vacca Campus in Birmingham. College and career readiness sessions are embedded in the twice monthly mentoring sessions and food support is provided to all youth (when applicable). LAWCF also provides for transportation to and from trips, access to in and after school enrichment, and opportunities to partner with other youth service organizations in our metropolitan area.

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Black Rhinos Mentoring Program

One of the LAWCF signature programs is our “Black Rhinos Mentoring Program”. This signature mentoring program offers comprehensive programming as a contribution to community education services in the Birmingham/Jefferson County area. Grades 9-10 students at Birmingham area schools are engaged in mentoring sessions that cover topics such as: Conflict resolution, etiquette with females, College/Career Prep, Joining the Military, Juneteenth, and Birmingham’s history with racial trauma. LAWCF is contracted to mentor these cohorts until they graduate high school in 2024 and 2025.

Why do we refer to our Mentees as Black Rhinos?

We call this program The Black Rhinos of Alabama because the Black Rhino has been exterminated over recent years through hunters killing them for selfish reasons. It is thought that as recently as 1970 there were as many as 65,000 Black rhinos in the wild. The estimated population today in 2020 is less than 5,000. The species is at risk of becoming extinct through the destructive actions of others. The Black Male is facing a similar situation because of the destructive and self-hating actions of our society. By having a positive outlook about ourselves and our futures, we can move beyond doing things that we know won’t help us succeed.

Become a Mentor In Shelby County, AL

Support and foster the career advancement and leadership development of young men & women.

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