Elmington Elevates: Creating a Brighter Future for Foster Youth

In Tennessee, 80 percent of youth who age out of foster care will experience trafficking, homelessness, addiction, or incarceration. That number is not acceptable.

That is why I’m so proud of the new path Elmington Elevates is on. The credit belongs to Ben Brewer and Betsy Spearman Langford, whose leadership has turned this vision into reality.

Start Small, Dream Big

Elmington Elevates began 11 years ago as Toyfest, a program where 100 children in a Nashville public housing community went home with bags filled with toys and clothes bigger than they were. Over the years, the initiative evolved into ElevateU, a free after-school daycare program serving more than 100 children in inner-city Title 1 schools.

Now, after transitioning ElevateU to another nonprofit, Elmington Elevates has grown into a nonprofit that owns a building designed to support foster youth aging out of care.

Beyond Housing

This new platform provides more than just a roof over someone’s head. It offers:

• Care and stability during a vulnerable transition
• Opportunities for education and personal growth
• A chance at a different story for at least the next 20 years

By providing these resources, Elmington Elevates is changing the trajectory for young people who might otherwise face incredible challenges.

How You Can Help

If you are thinking about starting something to give back, do it. You may not know where it will lead, but it will make a difference. And sometimes, small acts grow into initiatives as impactful as Elmington Elevates.

To support this mission, you can donate directly here: www.elmingtonelevates.org