Sponsored Homes | Tim & George

Late in the summer of 2024, the Johnson family faced a terrifying domestic violence crisis that changed their lives in an instant. The children—two teenagers and their younger sister—witnessed an attack on their mother. When the teenage son tried to protect her, he was injured as well. It was an experience that left the entire family shaken and uncertain about what would come next.

Team Up immediately stepped in to make sure the Johnsons had the safety and support they needed. The daughter’s mentor helped secure funds so the family could stay in a hotel for several nights while they found a safe place to go. Staff members quickly connected them with resources for meals, legal and medical assistance, and even helped install a video security system to bring peace of mind back to their home.

Understanding that emotional recovery would take time, Team Up matched the teenage son with a new mentor—someone who could listen, guide, and give him space to process what had happened. The daughter’s mentor also reached out for help on how to best support her mentee, and an Up Center trauma counselor provided tools for talking through emotions and helping her feel understood and safe.

As the family navigated the court process, Team Up staff continued to be there—offering encouragement, advocacy, and consistency. Mrs. Johnson later shared that she wasn’t sure she could have made it through without the help her family received.

The Johnson family’s journey is one of courage and healing. Through care, connection, and compassion, they are finding their way forward—together.

When Nia joined Team Up, she was facing heartbreak no teenager should have to endure. Before turning seventeen, she had lost both of her parents and found herself starting over in a new city, living with her grandmother, and trying to finish high school while learning to navigate grief and change.

Despite the challenges, Nia refused to give up on her dreams. With encouragement from her mentor—who became a steady source of support and guidance—she found the strength to keep moving forward. Her mentor and the Team Up staff stood proudly in the audience this past June as Nia crossed the stage, graduating high school with honors.

To celebrate her accomplishment and help her prepare for the next chapter, The Up Center community came together to raise $600 through a social media campaign, allowing Nia to go on a college shopping trip before beginning her studies in speech pathology.

Her story is one of perseverance, mentorship, and hope—a reminder that when young people are surrounded by care and encouragement, they can turn even the hardest beginnings into bright, new futures.

When Jayden was just nine years old, he was matched with his Team Up mentor, Marcus. Over the years, their bond grew strong—built on trust, encouragement, and countless shared moments. But as Jayden entered his teen years, life became more difficult. He made some poor choices that led him into the juvenile justice system. Even then, Marcus never walked away. He showed up in court to support him and stayed in contact, reminding Jayden that someone still believed in him.

After his release, Jayden drifted away from that support and fell back into old habits. Eventually, he found himself incarcerated again. For a while, it seemed like his story might end there. But when Jayden was released earlier this year at the age of twenty, one of the first people he called was his mentor. He told Marcus he wanted to change his life for good.

Marcus didn’t hesitate. He met with Jayden, offered him a job at his landscaping business, and welcomed him back—not as a lost cause, but as a young man ready for a new beginning. Today, Jayden shows up to work early every morning, learning new skills and rebuilding his life alongside the mentor who never gave up on him.

Their story is proof that mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about believing in someone long enough for them to start believing in themselves.

At Truitt Intermediate, a group of fourth graders gathers each week during lunch for The Up Center’s Leadership Institute—a safe space to learn about confidence, teamwork, and resilience. During one of the early sessions, Sofia, a quiet student, suddenly broke down in tears. As staff gently talked with her, they learned just how much she had been carrying on her small shoulders.

Sofia lived with her father, who had custody of her and her older brother. Her brother was struggling with significant mental health challenges, and their mother was facing housing instability and substance use issues. On top of that, her father was dealing with a legal situation that threatened to upend their fragile stability. Though the issue was eventually resolved, it was clear this family needed more support than anyone realized.

For months, Team Up staff and the school’s guidance counselor worked to connect with Sofia’s father, unsure whether the family would be moving before help could arrive. Finally, after steady outreach and patience, they made contact—and the perfect mentor match followed.

Now, Sofia meets regularly with her new mentor, and the two have already formed a genuine bond. They laugh, talk, and spend time together each week—building trust, hope, and stability in a young girl’s life that had been filled with uncertainty.

What started as tears in a lunchroom has become the beginning of something powerful: the chance for Sofia to see that she doesn’t have to face life’s challenges alone.

As the school year came to a close, Team Up partnered once again with the Blocker Family YMCA to host a special Game Day event—an afternoon designed to help youth relax, laugh, and manage the stress of year-end SOL testing.

More than thirty people attended, including new mentees, youth on the waitlist, and two brand-new mentor matches meeting for the first time. For many, it was their introduction to the Team Up community—a place where encouragement, fun, and friendship come together.

The gym buzzed with energy and laughter as everyone joined in games of volleyball, cards, and team activities. Among the crowd were two mentor-mentee pairs who had attended the previous month’s event. This time, their connection deepened as they played together, cheered each other on, and even exchanged contact information to spend time outside of Team Up events.

Moments like this capture what Team Up is all about—creating opportunities for young people to build positive relationships, feel supported, and know they belong. What starts as a simple game can become the foundation for confidence, friendship, and lasting mentorship.