ASPIRE HIGHER FOUNDATION INC
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Mission Statement
The Aspire Higher Foundation (AHF) strives to establish vibrant community spaces and innovative programs in the Near Northwest neighborhood of Indianapolis. AHF revitalizes the built environment in this urban community AND provides educational and wellness programming to enhance the opportunities for success in the lives of all, especially youth, through nutrition education, horticulture, career development, and fitness/wellness. The hub of our work is Aspire House, a three-story brick building erected in 1897. In its heyday, this building was a beacon of safety. Our founders found it, crumbling, in 2002, but saw its promise. After years of renovation, we opened the doors to Aspire House in February 2024, with a commercial kitchen, gathering space, and gardens. Pointing neighbors toward healthier futures—through the growth, preparation and distribution of nutritious food and plants—is a key part of the AHF mission.
About This Cause
The Black-led Aspire Higher Foundation staff and board have been engaged for more than 10 years in this neighborhood, rebuilding the fabric of the community and listening to neighbors’ stated needs: safety, learning, and gathering. Current programming includes: + Sunday Suppers: neighborhood gatherings centered around a shared meal to build bonds between neighbors. + Urban Bloom: a placemaking project to clean up alleyways, install public art, and tend community gardens to produce food, flowers, and medicinal and culinary herbs. + RyZe Kitchen: to combat food insecurity among youth and to teach about nutrition, diabetes prevention, and food-for-fitness, the Aspire House kitchen hosts classes for youth and for seniors. + Bla-Tina Brainstorm: a careers exposure program for girls of color (Black/Latina) in grades 6-12, who receive coaching, field trips, and real-world projects to complete in the fields of architecture, sports, and tech. + Urban Wellness Education Fellowship: Funded by a grant from IU Health, this program improves students’ lives using innovative approaches to health, nutrition and wellness in and out of school through an embedded team of neighborhood educators residing at Aspire House. + Youth Sports: a lacrosse league for kids ages 8-13 & a “wheels” program (cycling, roller skating, skateboarding) In 2018, the Aspire Higher Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit. In 2021, Aspire Higher Foundation won a Love Thy Neighborhood Award from LISC. In 2024, the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center gave their annual Inspiring Places Award to Aspire House.