vision
Our Mission
exalt elevates expectations of personal success for youth ages 15-19 who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system. We inspire youth at a critical crossroads to believe in their worth, from the first steps in contemplation through the journey to create lasting behavioral change. Our powerful combination of structured classes for tangible skill development, individualized support to navigate the education and justice systems, placement in paid internships, and an alumni network of resources provides program participants with the tools and experience to thrive and rise. At exalt, we empower youth to see a future filled with hope – and we provide the roadmap to get there.
exalt is a safe and supportive place where new directions can take hold and dreams take flight.
“exalt exposes kids to good people, new ideas, and work experience, whereas incarceration shelters them from all of that.”
Our Model
exalt demonstrates the power of effective educational engagement as a viable alternative to criminal justice involvement for today’s young people. At exalt, we know that it is our job to inspire and motivate young people to participate in what we have to offer. Because we are voluntary, and because our students are unpaid for the first 6 weeks of their participation, the only reason they will show up is because of the value THEY feel they get.
Our model is not just about avoiding jail. It is about re-engaging young people in their love for learning and in helping them understand the urgency of taking action to reverse their journey along the school-to-prison pipeline. While exalt is not a school, our model has broad implications for the intersection of education and juvenile justice, as well as the future of our economy.
Strategic Vision
In 2026—with support from friends like you—we laid the foundation for our next 20 years of impact:
We began the search for a permanent home for exalt in New York City—a space designed intentionally for young people to learn, to grow, and to see themselves reflected in an environment built for their success.
We expanded beyond New York City and launched in Syracuse—bringing this model to new communities and new systems.
And we extended our impact through the creation of the exalt Institute—so that what we have built can inform and align efforts beyond our walls. Because this work is not meant to live in one place. It is meant to influence a field.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Celebrating the graduation of our first exalt cohort in Syracuse.
Maintaining strong program delivery in New York City.
Awarding more than $500,000 in scholarships to 46 alumni since 2020 in support of their college goals.
Successfully convening the Second International Symposium on Justice-Involved Youth and the Future of Work at Rhodes House, University of Oxford, on May 3–4, 2026, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and justice leaders from the United States and abroad.
Marking our 20th anniversary with an Innovating for Impact gala attended by 300 leaders from government, business, higher education, and the judiciary as well as numerous individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
Staying on track to host more than 300 alumni workshops in 2026, including weekly tutoring, meetings with employment agencies, and presentations by colleges and vocational schools
