WHAT IS LEVEL UP?

The Mission Society of New York City’s LEVEL UP program at ELLIS is a year-round effort that provides critical academic and career-planning support. Through in-depth initiatives and a dedicated staff, LEVEL UP students are not only encouraged to complete their high school education, but also pursue enriching opportunities that position them for future success.

Throughout the year, participating students discover new lifelong possibilities through the paid internships, college and career support, academic advisement, counseling, and volunteer experiences on offer in the ELLIS-LEVEL UP program. Beyond the classroom - in acknowledgment of the non-academic barriers facing our community - LEVEL UP facilitates services that focus on the comprehensive well-being of each student. Overall, the ELLIS-LEVEL UP program opens doors for students that may have otherwise been inaccessible, ensuring that they each have the ability to thrive.

Internships

Rising ELLIS students have the opportunity to participate in paid internships to help them explore a variety of future career options. Additionally, Level Up's Internship program prepares students for the workforce by offering training that cover topics such as: resume and cover letter writing, workplace conflict resolution, personal finances, financial literacy, and budgeting.

COLLEGE, CAREER, VOCATION TRAINING ACCESS

Mission's Level Up actively supports students pursuing post-secondary education by helping them navigate prerequisites, applications, and financial aid processes. Counselors also organize college visits each year to expose students to options both within New York and out of state. Also, our counselors provide various workshop opportunities with professionals across various industries and sectors that enable students to get first hand exposure and mentoring from professionals thriving in areas of their impending career interest.

Academic Achievement

In coordination with classroom and administrative staff, Mission provides tutoring and Regents preparation support, helping students complete their coursework with an eye towards graduation. Our staff monitors and encourages student attendance through direct outreach. We also conduct both in person home visits and virtual home visits to prevent learning loss due to high levels of absenteeism.

Counseling & Support

Mission Social Worker(s) provide weekly counseling and referrals to critical services for each student, addressing the important issues that impact their emotional health. Since our foundational year, we have created various enrichment programs to help students both develop and strengthen their emotional well-being – including social groups, sports teams, service learning programs, and much more.

About Mission

For over two centuries, the Mission Society has worked to end multigenerational poverty by unlocking the potential of the City’s most underserved families. We weave together academic enrichment, career readiness, and college access programs to create transformative educational experiences for communities throughout New York. Since our founding in 1812, we have provided life-changing opportunities to over 6.5 million New Yorkers. To learn more about Mission, please visit our website at missionsociety.org.