Meeting Young People Where They Are. Helping Them See Where They Can Go.

The No One Left Behind arm of the Clarence E. Phillips Ascend Foundation focuses on young people facing circumstances that can create barriers to educational success, positive decision-making, healthy relationships, and future opportunity.

Through mentoring, credible-messenger engagement, leadership experiences, community dialogue, and targeted interventions, Ascend creates opportunities for young people to see possibilities beyond their current circumstances and connect with people, resources, and strategies that can help them move forward.

No One Left Behind is intentionally designed as an adaptable portfolio of programs and initiatives. Some initiatives are offered annually, while others are activated in response to emerging needs, community partnerships, school requests, or specific populations. This flexible approach allows Ascend to develop and deliver programming that responds to the realities young people are experiencing rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model.

OUR APPROACH
Listen. Respond. Equip. Empower.

Ascend works alongside schools, families, community organizations, and professional partners to identify challenges, bring the right voices to the table, and create meaningful opportunities for youth engagement and growth.

 

PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

 

Operation PREVENT

Credible Voices. Real Stories. New Possibilities.
Operation PREVENT brings together men who have overcome significant personal, legal, and life challenges to share their experiences and lessons with young people who may be facing difficult circumstances of their own. Through candid conversations and follow-up engagement, participants are encouraged to recognize their potential, consider positive choices, and envision a different path forward.

Adolescence to Queens

Empowering Young Women Through Experience & Wisdom.
Adolescence to Queens connects young women with female mentors and credible messengers who have navigated significant challenges and transformed their experiences into opportunities for growth and success. Through panel discussions and follow-up sessions, participants explore decision-making, resilience, self-worth, relationships, and pathways toward a more positive future.

My Sister's Brotherly Keeper

Creating Space for Young Women to Be Seen, Heard & Empowered.
My Sister's Brotherly Keeper is a male-led initiative designed to celebrate, encourage, and support young women through an immersive day of mentorship, education, leadership, and personal development. The experience brings young women together with accomplished women from diverse fields for meaningful conversations, interactive sessions, and exposure to new possibilities.

Future Legend Campaign

Inspiring Students to Reach Their Full Potential.
The Future Legend Campaign is a school and community-wide movement designed to encourage students to pursue excellence, embrace their potential, and develop a mindset that challenges mediocrity. Through rallies, small-group sessions, mentoring, and ongoing reinforcement, educators, administrators, mentors, and community partners work together to create a sustained culture of achievement.

Guilty by Association / Law & Streets 101

Building Understanding Through Dialogue & Experience.
This initiative creates opportunities for young people, adults, law enforcement, legal professionals, and community leaders to engage in honest dialogue about interactions with the legal system and law enforcement. Through panel discussions, forums, and interactive educational experiences, participants gain greater understanding of their rights, responsibilities, perspectives, and the importance of building stronger relationships between communities and those who serve them.

A Responsive Approach to Youth Development
The work of No One Left Behind continues to evolve. Ascend recognizes that the needs of young people and communities are not static. Through ongoing conversations with schools, community leaders, families, and youth-serving organizations, Ascend develops and adapts initiatives to address emerging challenges and create relevant opportunities for growth.

We don't believe in writing young people off. We believe in reaching them, listening to them, equipping them, and helping them discover what's possible.
Because no young person should be defined by their circumstances or left behind because they haven't yet found their path.