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OUR STORY

In 2017, Kimberly Elms spent several months thinking about ways that she could be more involved in the community and assist youth, adults and families in urban communities and underrepresented groups in overcoming barriers faced socially, economically and educationally.  She thought about ways she could assist youth in making better choices/decisions early  in life as well as, providing them with support services, appropriate resources and guidance that would aid in their future success.  She thought about ways she could help others to have hope and to aim for the best outcomes in life.  In short, she thought about ways to make  positive differences that would be life changing for many. 

 

Realizing that the work required  was nothing that could be done alone, she began to work on a plan.   Kimberly later founded Elms Family and Community Services (formerly The Elms Foundation) in 2018 in  honor of her late husband. The organization's core focus is on continuous prevention, as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of youth, families and adults. The organization's team assists in identifying sustainable solutions that help move communities forward.  We do so through 1:1 support services, workshops, events, mentoring, community partnerships  and other related activities that aid in the overall success of our clients and program participants.


OUR VISION

Rebuild, strengthen and empower youth, families and adults in urban and surrounding communities;

bringing the village back.  

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OUR MISSION

We aim continuously to provide services, resources and support that will enable families, individuals and youth to overcome social, economic, educational and other barriers in which they face by gaining and sustaining successful outcomes in life. We do this through our support services, programs and community projects.

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OUR VALUES

Provide quality services to members of the community ethically, responsibly and with the highest levels of integrity and respect; Work collaboratively with clients, community partners and team members; and

Demonstrate commitment and excellence in all aspects of what we do.

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OUR SERVICES

Our services include, but are not limited to providing: 

  • Youth, family and senior support services;

  • One-one client support;

  • Financial literacy, life skills and employment readiness support services and workshops;

  • Skill building services and workshops for youth and adults;

  • College and vocational program preparation support; mentoring;

  • Conflict resolution/anger management support services and workshops;

  • Activities, workshops and related resources to assist in strengthening family relationships;

  • Workshops and events to assist in building self-esteem and self-worth of program participants; and

  • Resources, referrals and community support to children and adults who suffer from challenges of grief/loss of a loved one or barriers experienced from incarceration and/or other circumstances

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KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

 

We aim continuously to provide services, resources and support that will enable families, individuals and youth to gain and sustain positive outcomes in life. 

 

Social

We assist in alleviating social barriers that hinder adults, youth and families from gaining successful outcomes.  This includes but is not limited to:

  • Educating continuously on resources, support services and programs that are available to aid in their success

  • Making resources, support services and programs available to those who benefit from such

  • Increasing awareness in areas of health, education and financial well-being

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Economic

We help clients develop skills needed to gain and sustain employment.  This includes but is not limited to:

  • Providing 1:1 support services and workshops to help clients gain essential life skills, soft skills and other employment skills that will assist them in gaining and sustaining employment so that they may provide financial support for their families

  • Providing support services to seniors in the community.

  • Partnering with schools, businesses, and organizations that provide vocational training that will lead to job opportunities for those who are seeking employment; partnering with employment agencies to assist in job placement for clients seeking employment

  • Partnering with organizations, community centers, churches and other community entities that provide senior support services.

  • Referring individuals to community agencies and programs for additional support services needed to aid in closing other identified gaps that will hinder them from gaining successful outcomes.  

  • Continuously providing programs and services that will assist in breaking cycles of poverty within families and supporting seniors in the community.

 

Education

We promote education, support clients in meeting their educational goals and aim continuously to expose clients to meaningful experiences that will aid in their educational success. We support seniors in the community by educating them on safety tips to increase safety awareness.  Our approaches include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing 1:1 support services to youth and adult students to assist in their academic success; partner with other community agencies to assist in providing other supports needed.

  • Providing workshops and support to assist youth in K-12 academic settings.

  • Providing educational safety workshops to senior citizens.

  • Assisting youth in gaining exposure through educational field trips, college tours and other experiential outings.

  • Educating families on topics that will assist in academic success for their school-aged children.

  • Promoting higher education and alternative educational programs to parents and students continuously.

  • Partnering with parents/adult students, youth, seniors and educators continuously to provide additional support as needed.

  • Providing community referrals for clients to literacy and adult education partners.

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