Internal News Update Page
"Working for a Future" Book Event at exalt
On September 12, 2024, exalt's headquarters buzzed with excitement as we hosted a groundbreaking discussion on equity in work-based learning. The event centered around the newly released book "Working for a Future: Equity and Access in Work-Based Learning for Young People" by Dr. Lisette Nieves and Dr. Noel Anderson, which prominently features exalt as an innovative model to be emulated. Attendees engaged in a lively Q&A session and had the opportunity to have their books signed by the authors. #WorkingForAFuture #EquityInWorkBasedLearning #exaltImpact
exalt's 2024 Gala: "Innovation Over Incarceration"
Our annual gala took place on June 11, 2024 at Trinity Church Wall Street. We honored SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. for his dedication to educational excellence, and Michelle Henry of JPMorgan Chase & Co. for her leadership and dedication to justice and equity for the young people of NYC. We also recognized Elizabeth Elston for 12 years of dedicated board service and presented our 2024 Freedom Fund scholarship to Khamel Terry, who explained,
“exalt is more than just a program to me – it's a lifeline, and I am grateful and honored to be this year’s scholarship winner. Through exalt, I discovered the world of youth advocacy and civic engagement, opening doors I didn't even know existed. exalt has helped me unlock my potential, build confidence to believe in myself, to see my worth, and to strive for success. Most importantly, it showed me that I could make a difference—not only in my own life but also in the lives of others.”
All the proceeds from the evening went to support exalt's mission and programming to help 1000+ young people annually avoid future involvement in the criminal justice system, reconnect to their love of learning and thrive. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters!
In our 2024 Gala video, exalt Board, staff and alumni join CEO Gisele Castro to discuss the positive impact of our programming on the young people we serve.
Gisele Hosts Career Panel for Alumnae with NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
exalt CEO Gisele Castro was featured in PIX-11 News story on March 18, 2024:
More than a dozen of New York City’s most influential women leaders came together for a summit in Lower Manhattan. One is a Latina leading a nonprofit helping youth turn their lives around.
It was the power of city hall to CEOs in Lower Manhattan, a women’s summit where they shared their secrets to success. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services executive team led the discussion, and all women of color supervise New York City’s $40 billion annual business contracts.
Hosting the event is Gisele Castro, CEO of Exalt Youth. For over two decades, Castro has transformed young people’s lives through education, employment opportunities, and criminal justice reform.
Click here to read the full story.
Gisele Castro: A Trailblazing Leader Strategically Empowering Change in Juvenile Justice and Beyond
In the world of leadership, where traditional boundaries are being shattered, Gisele Castro stands as a beacon of inspiration and resilience. As the CEO of exalt, a groundbreaking organization in the juvenile justice space, Gisele’s journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to redefine success and empower the next generation of leaders. Her unique perspective... Read more
Celebrating a milestone: Gisele has joined the 2024 Cohort of Boulder Fund Grantees
We are honored to share that CEO Gisele Castro is just one of eight individuals awarded EdLoC’s Boulder Fund grant in 2024! A multimillion-dollar grant program, the Boulder Fund stands tall as a transformative force that is redefining what philanthropy can look like. Organized and funded by Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC), the Boulder Fund provides recipients like Gisele with a catalytic community and funding to create a world where young people of color have opportunities to build generational wealth and thrive.
This achievement represents a significant milestone for exalt and for Gisele, and underscores the entire team's hard work and dedication.
We encourage you to learn more about the Boulder Fund, Gisele's cohort of fellow changemakers, and about what EdLoC is doing to support leaders of color.
See Gisele's video about the importance of giving young people the opportunity to thrive, and the critical role that the Education Leaders of Color's Bolder Fund plays in this effort.
CEO Gisele Castro on AMNY "America agrees: Let’s innovate NOT incarcerate our teens"
exalt CEO Gisele Castro was published on AMNY on December 11, 2023:
A recent Gallup poll found that 47% of Americans believe that juveniles should not be treated as adults in the justice system, marking a shift from two decades ago, when 65% in 2000 felt juveniles should be treated the same as adult criminals. This significant paradigm shift correlates with what reformists like myself have been clamoring for decades: Adult sanctions on young people is an abject policy failure that does not address underlying issues that causes juveniles to become offenders in the first place. Issues like disengagement with education, lack of economic power, systemic racism, and generational cycles of incarceration, poverty and violence.
The answer is simple: Youth involved at any point in the criminal justice system should require intervention and an on-ramp to an alternative path. Alternatives to incarceration work; especially when they include the right formula of robust case management, counseling, school visits, a paid internship or job training, support for scheduled court appearances, goal setting and exposure to career opportunities and job training.
exalt's 2023 Fall Event
On Thursday, November 2, exalt hosted a special event at its stunning headquarters at 17 Battery Place entitled "Innovation vs. Incarceration." CEO Gisele Castro was joined in conversation with Dr. Yusef Salaam (City Council and Exonerated 5), Denise Tomasini-Joshi Innocence Project, and Jason Flom (Innocence Project and Lava Records).
The discussion centered around the necessity to move away from punitive measures within the criminal justice system and toward solutions that address the root causes, such as poverty, lack of access to quality education, no employment experience or access to a social network for career development, substance abuse, and mental illness. Dr. Salaam's impassioned message to the young people in attendance, encouraging them to always remember that within the word "impossible" lies the powerful essence of "I AM possible," resonated deeply.
We congratulate Dr. Salaam on his recent City Council seat win and invite you to listen to Jason's hit podcast, Wrongful Conviction, and his daughter's new show, Erased: The Murder of Elma Sands.
exalt CEO Gisele Castro Honored with 2023 Community Impact Award at SparkYouth NYC's Annual Awards Benefit
On Wednesday, October 11th at SparkYouth NYC's Annual Awards Benefit exalt's CEO Gisele Castro was honored with the 2023 Community Impact Award. Congratulations, Gisele! Here are two videos that were screened at the ceremony and some photos from the evening's festivities.
Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez Honors exalt during Hispanic Heritage Month
On behalf of exalt, CEO Gisele Castro was honored to receive an award from the Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez's Office during their 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony on September 28th. The recognition was a testament to exalt's significant contributions to the juvenile justice field.
DA Gonzalez commended exalt for its dedicated efforts in elevating expectations for court-involved youth in Brooklyn, focusing on criminal justice avoidance, education, and employability. In her remarks, Gisele emphasized the collective responsibility to advance racial justice and provide young people with the access they rightfully deserve. She highlighted the vital role of steadfast leaders like DA Gonzalez in improving young lives and offering transformational opportunities to court-involved youth.
Congratulations to fellow honorees, Commissioner Rossana Rosado, Aspira of NY, Inc. and Detective Carlos Ramos, and special thanks to Dr. John B. King, Jr., the Chancellor of SUNY, for his inspiring remarks encouraging all of us to live every day as the ancestors we aspire to be for future generations.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it's essential to acknowledge the significance of trailblazers and pioneers within the Latino community. These individuals, when appointed as the first in various decision-making roles, become sources of inspiration for future generations. They bear the responsibility of creating access for their communities and leading the way toward a more equitable future.
While we revel in the joy and collective power of Hispanic Heritage Month, we must also reflect on the profound contributions Latinos have made to this country. We recognize the ongoing work required to address enduring injustices. As you contemplate your own influence and efforts, we invite you to join us on this journey to liberate our young people, knowing that their freedom ultimately brings freedom to us all.
New York City Imagine Awards have announced that exalt is a finalist in the Leadership category
With over 230 applications submitted, The New York City Imagine Awards, renowned for honoring the city's most impactful and forward-thinking nonprofit organizations, has recently announced exalt is a finalist in their Alliant Insurance Services Leadership and Excellence category. This prestigious recognition comes as a testament to the exceptional leadership provided by our CEO, Gisele Castro.
Gisele, reflecting on this achievement, expressed, "Leading exalt has come with the responsibility to embrace innovation, especially when it leads to the growth and expansion of our organization. We have always been proactive in anticipating challenges and crafting solutions. It is truly gratifying to receive acknowledgment for our efforts in elevating the expectations of court-involved youth in New York City, focusing on criminal justice avoidance, education, and employability."