exalt youth

exalt youth elevating expectations for youth A resource for our students, alumni, and those interested in the relationship between juvenile justice and education.

exalt CEO, Dr. Gisele Castro, is honored to join Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz at SOMOS 2025 for “Alternatives as Default:...
10/30/2025

exalt CEO, Dr. Gisele Castro, is honored to join Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz at SOMOS 2025 for “Alternatives as Default: Scaling a Just Vision for Community Safety.” She will be in conversation with leaders from New York’s courts, DA offices, and community partner on how investing in communities, proven diversion, and youth opportunity creates real safety.

If you’ll be at SOMOS, join us: Nov 6, 1:45–3:00 PM.

Proud to lift up what works—and the young people at the center of it.

We are thrilled to share highlights from exalt’s Transfer Tuesday, part of our Back-to-School Initiative led by our dedi...
08/19/2025

We are thrilled to share highlights from exalt’s Transfer Tuesday, part of our Back-to-School Initiative led by our dedicated Education Advocate, Melinda Cosme, and our education team.

As one of a series of events supporting our educational goals, this vibrant day brought together students and alumni, many preparing for transfer schools or new beginnings with tutors, advocates, and educators from across New York City. For some of our youth, this was their very first back-to-school kickoff, and the energy was inspiring.

We are grateful to our incredible partners who made this launch such a success:

NYC Public Schools
Petey Greene Program
Advocates for Children
John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Together, we created a powerful day of encouragement, resources, and celebration—reminding our young people that they’ve already proven their ability to succeed in learning environments at exalt, gained worker identities through internships, and are now taking the next step toward their academic and career goals.

This event is only the beginning. With your support, exalt continues to build pathways that ensure court-involved youth not only return to school, but thrive once they’re there.

The results speak for themselves. This past year, exalt students defied the odds:98% re-engaged in school100% matched wi...
08/15/2025

The results speak for themselves. This past year, exalt students defied the odds:

98% re-engaged in school
100% matched with paid internships
95% did not recidivate
75% achieved sentence reduction

Now, we’re welcoming a new class of youth into our classrooms — where they are seen as students, leaders, and scholars in the making.

But many arrive facing deep economic hardship — without a MetroCard, laptop, or the essentials to succeed. That’s where you come in.

Let’s do it again. Help us raise $50,000 to provide:

MetroCards
Back-to-school materials
Paid internships
Academic support

Every gift sends our students back to school with dignity, purpose, and a belief in their own brilliance. Donate today here: bit.ly/supportexalt

You Opened the Door — They Walked Through. They stepped into the real world — and thrived.At exalt, our students don’t j...
08/06/2025

You Opened the Door — They Walked Through. They stepped into the real world — and thrived.

At exalt, our students don’t just imagine a different future — they get to live it. But none of this happens without your support. Because of you, our youth are:

- Interning at real workplaces
- Learning to navigate challenges with confidence
- Pursuing college and career paths they never thought possible

And there’s still time to make a difference. Help us raise $50,000 by August 15 to support their future. Every dollar you give today helps launch a young person into the school year with the resources, belief, and opportunity they deserve.

Donate today: bit.ly/supportexalt

Join Us for a Powerful Youth Art Showcase!Experience the transformative power of youth art at A Note From the Field 003:...
08/04/2025

Join Us for a Powerful Youth Art Showcase!

Experience the transformative power of youth art at A Note From the Field 003: The Story From Within, facilitated by multi-medium artist and exalt’s Director of Education, Keshad Adeniyi.

Through poetry, painting, and storytelling, these young artists share powerful reflections on healing, community, and the sociopolitical realities faced by youth involved in the criminal legal system.

Date: Wednesday, August 13th
Time: Gallery opens at 4:30 PM | Program begins promptly at 6:30 PM
Location: Seven Gallery House | 35 Meadow Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206

Come support these young voices and engage with art that inspires change.

RSVP now: bit.ly/ife-art

Because Someone Believed in MeMomentum is building—and it’s because of you.Every day, exalt youth are rewriting their st...
07/31/2025

Because Someone Believed in Me

Momentum is building—and it’s because of you.

Every day, exalt youth are rewriting their stories. With academic tutoring, legal advocacy, MetroCards, and mentorship—they're stepping into their futures empowered.

But transformation doesn’t happen alone. It happens when someone believes in them.

“exalt saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself.” – Princess Kelly, exalt alumna

Help us raise $50,000 by August 15 to support more youth like Princess. Donate today here: bit.ly/supportexalt

Let’s do it again! Help exalt students start the school year strong.A new school year is on the horizon—and exalt studen...
07/16/2025

Let’s do it again! Help exalt students start the school year strong.

A new school year is on the horizon—and exalt students are ready. But they need the resources and support to set them up for success. With your help, we can make sure every student feels prepared and seen.

We’re raising $50,000 by August 15 to help them start strong. Back to School. Forward with Purpose.

Donate today and be part of a powerful fresh start: bit.ly/supportexalt

Last week, exalt was proud to participate in the 2025 NYS Youth Justice Summit hosted by the New York Youth Justice Inst...
07/02/2025

Last week, exalt was proud to participate in the 2025 NYS Youth Justice Summit hosted by the New York Youth Justice Institute and the University at Albany, SUNY.

Our very own exalt CEO, Dr. Gisele Castro, joined a powerful panel exploring the transformative role of education in the lives of system-impacted youth. We’re honored to be part of a statewide conversation that centers opportunity, equity, and healing.

Shoutout to Dr. Eddie Fergus for moderating an insightful session on the Y-Facts Data Center, and big thanks to Joe Popcorn, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosado, and the entire team at UAlbany for making space for dialogue and change.

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Lisette Nieves as exalt’s new Chair of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025!A natio...
06/24/2025

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Lisette Nieves as exalt’s new Chair of the Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025!

A nationally recognized leader, Rhodes Scholar, and President of the Fund for the City of New York, Dr. Nieves brings 25+ years of transformative leadership across education, workforce development, and public policy.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as exalt expands across New York State, scaling a model that integrates education, paid internships, mental health support, and court advocacy for justice-involved youth.

“exalt embodies the systems-change vision I’ve worked toward my whole career,” said Dr. Nieves. “I’m honored to help shape its next chapter.”

With Dr. Nieves guiding our Board and Dr. Gisele Castro at the helm as CEO, exalt is charting a bold path to reimagine opportunity and equity for young people statewide.

Read the full announcement in Harlem World Magazine: https://loom.ly/GKnANjA

Today on Juneteenth, we honor freedom, resilience, and the ongoing work of building a more just society.At exalt, we bel...
06/19/2025

Today on Juneteenth, we honor freedom, resilience, and the ongoing work of building a more just society.

At exalt, we believe liberation isn’t just history—it’s a daily, collective pursuit. Every young person who walks through our doors carries a legacy of survival and brilliance. And every supporter, staff member, and partner walking alongside them says: Your future matters.

In 2021, we celebrated Juneteenth with a graduation that overflowed with pride and possibility. That day wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a living affirmation of what happens when young people are given the space to thrive. Watch the video and see what liberation in motion looks like: bit.ly/exalt2021

As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of exalt in 2026, we recommit to the freedom work this day represents—the work of healing, building, and believing.

Young people don’t need punishment. They need opportunity. This year, we served close to 1,000 youth and honored 5 stude...
06/18/2025

Young people don’t need punishment. They need opportunity. This year, we served close to 1,000 youth and honored 5 students at our Gala with scholarships of $5,000 each towards their college plans. exalt is scaling up—starting with Syracuse—and we need your support to get there. Let’s close our fiscal year strong: bit.ly/exaltgala2025

Last night at Trinity Church NYC, we gathered to celebrate belief — in our youth, in this urgent moment, and in the powe...
06/12/2025

Last night at Trinity Church NYC, we gathered to celebrate belief — in our youth, in this urgent moment, and in the power of community to drive change.

We honored the trailblazing Maria Hinojosa, founder of Futuro Media, and our incredible internship partners, CIVILIAN and Douglas Elliman, whose mentorship opens doors for young people to thrive.

We also celebrated five new exalt scholars and marked over $400K in scholarships awarded since 2020.

With gratitude, we thank Yumari Martinez, Ruth Fromer, and Kunal Das for their transformative leadership—and look ahead to a bold new chapter with incoming board leadership.

Thank you for standing with exalt and the brilliance of our youth. For this who couldn't join us last night, consider participating with a gift: bit.ly/exaltgala2025

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17 Battery Place, Suite 307
New York, NY
11201

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Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm

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