Helping
Youth
Rise
Above
The Climb is a community initiative committed to uplifting Black youth from single-parent households through mentorship, grief or counselling support, and community connection. We believe every young person has the strength to rise above life’s challenges—and we’re here to climb with them!
OUR MISSION
We believe life is a climb—filled with hard battles that demand resilience to overcome. Yet many Black youth from single-parent households are not set up with the support systems needed to build that resilience. The Climb exists to bridge that gap by creating a community where mentorship, emotional healing, and purpose-driven guidance empower youth to rise above their challenges and pursue lives of meaning, strength, and leadership.
HOW WE EMPOWER YOUTH:
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Mentorship & Guidance – Provide consistent, culturally relevant mentorship from young adult role models who understand the lived realities of the youth we serve.
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Grief & Emotional Support – Facilitate monthly grief support sessions led by trained volunteer counselors to help youth process loss and build emotional resilience.
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Community & Belonging – Foster a safe, supportive environment where youth can connect with peers and mentors who see, understand, and believe in them.
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Legacy & Leadership – Inspire youth to become future leaders who carry forward a legacy of perseverance, hope, and impact—just as this program carries the legacy of Ameha Gugssa.
The Father Who Inspired the Climb
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AMEHA GUGSSA
The vision of The Climb is rooted in the quiet strength and legacy of Ameha Gugessa—a humble, devoted father whose life was marked by perseverance, faith, and sacrificial love. As a single parent, he carried immense responsibilities with grace, never seeking recognition but always sowing seeds of hope and opportunity for his daughter’s future. His example—of working long hours, prioritizing education, and walking with faith—left a lasting imprint that continues to shape this movement.
Ameha dreamed of a world where all youth, regardless of their starting point, would have the chance to flourish—in their character, in their education, and in their careers. He believed deeply in the power of learning, the dignity of hard work, and the beauty of a life lived in service to others. While he didn’t live to see all the fruit of his labor, The Climb exists as a living testament to his vision: to support and uplift Black youth as they rise above life’s obstacles and pursue a life of purpose, resilience, and success. His humility, hope, and legacy breathe through every part of this initiative.
Be apart of the Climb
Your support helps build something lasting. When you give, you’re not just donating — you’re standing alongside us in shaping spaces of resilience, mentorship, and healing for Black youth. Together, we are creating a future where every young person has the tools, support, and confidence to rise above life’s hardest battles.
Inspired by the humble legacy of Ameha Gugessa, The Climb is a commitment to walk with youth as they grow in strength, purpose, and hope.
Join us in this climb — every step makes a difference.