About Us
Who is Aspire Growth?
Aspire Growth (AG) supports Washington State, King County BIPOC youth and young adults in building community, getting access to needed services, and moving towards greater autonomy. AG takes a holistic approach in connecting youth to employment, education, enrichment, and social/emotional support while creating a welcoming environment that is culturally inclusive for youth of color. For the past 8 years, founder Ty Edwards has been a prolific founder of award-winning programs supporting underrepresented populations with experience working within diverse communities, serving BIPOC youth, project management, and team leadership.
With youth-led visionaries leading the way, the AG leadership unit has been a proponent to ensure that providing access and equity remains the focal point of programming decisions that support initiatives to engage, equip and empower youth to graduate high school with essential skill sets and tools to aspiring greatness.
AG staff work with youth to develop and fulfill personal short- and long-term goal-setting plans and provide system navigation support to youth and families. Our organization tracks students' success relative to goals listed in development plans and collaborates closely with families, community partners, local youth program staff, and community stakeholders to build unified support through the community.
Our Mission
At Aspire Growth we support connecting youth to employment, education, programs and holistic services to move towards greater autonomy.
Our Vision
Our vision is to engage, equip, and empower youth, fostering their potential for greatness by providing essential skills and tools. Through our dedication, we aim to inspire every young person to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities.
Organizers
Youth Testimonials
"Ty has changed my life in good ways. Growing up without a father figure is something hard I dealt with over the course of my life. I met Ty when I was in 7th grade and since then he has been a strong male role model and someone I look up to.
However, Ty and his programs have impacted my life big time. Coming to the U.S. I never really had someone to take me out and explore the world because of financial issues plus I only had a mother raising 3 kids all by herself, playing the role of both parents so I wasn’t expecting her to do much, she has done enough.
So for Ty to come into my life and leave an indelible mark, changing me in a way I never could’ve anticipated, ty really helped me to become the best version of myself"
Nobel, High School Senior
"I have known Ty for close to 6 years now, he’s been a mentor to me and he has had a huge impact on my life. With him and the programs, I’ve been a part of, I’ve been able to meet some of my closest friends and learned a lot of valuable life lessons. Around the time before I had met Ty, I was dealing with a lot of conflicts both inside and outside of school. Because of this, I would tend to lash out and get into trouble, but one day one of my friends introduced me to Ty and I started attending programs hosted by him. Since then I have been able to make a complete 180, I now look forward to attending college next fall and have a bright future to look forward to."
Amanual, High School Senior
"Ty Edwards has provided more inspiration and support than impact could describe. He has been a positive supportive figure, and has helped me understand and learn from my experiences in life and what I need help with. I’ve grown to be a better person to myself, and to others with his guidance and mentorship. Not only that but he’s been an amazing friend as well. He’s someone I can connect with and tackle fun times and struggling times. He’s provided me with job opportunities and other forms of business-related ventures, education, and knowledge. He’s part of the reason I’m able to play piano today! I could go on and on, but to sum it up Ty Edwards and his programs are and have been a positive impact on my life."
Caleb, Young Adult
"The experience and the knowledge that Ty has given me have given me the ability to think logically to see things from more than one viewpoint. Ty has shown me things and places that I would have never imagined possible he spent time and his own money on me to show me what else there is in life I can’t really even imagine how my life would have gone without Ty."
Moke, High School Freshmen
“What I like about the program is that I can make new bonds and hang out with the people I grew up with. It helps us learn more about what will benefit us in the future and allows us to spend time together like a family. Everything we did prepared us for adult life, and the bonds we formed helped me learn about things I didn't know, like starting a business or running a company. I now understand these concepts better.
I can use what I've learned about decision-making, such as running a shop or starting a business, and apply it to my clothing brand. I know the steps to take and can look back at the support I received, even if it was just an idea. This program has helped me a lot, and it can help others understand and build better relationships. It can also help them achieve their goals and overcome personal or family issues. There are many trusted adults in this program, so if you’re having issues, talk to them and let them help.”
Abdi, High School Sophomore
“What I liked best about Aspire Growth was that I got to go to places I had never visited or went to. I also enjoyed that I got to meet new people and had fun being around them. I felt most engaged when we did our study sessions because they helped me maintain good grades. I could see myself using all of the advice we got from many entrepreneurs in my life by making a business or learning how to make money. I would recommend this program to a friend because they would also enjoy meeting new people and visiting a lot of places.”
Jonathan, 8th Grader
“What I like the best about this program is being able to connect with other communities and learning their perspectives. The activities I found most engaging in this program are the group outings because it’s really fun to explore and learn with these guys while also becoming closer as a community. I see myself using the confidence and life skills I gained in this program to take on new challenges in my personal life. And, I plan to pass down the knowledge and experiences I gained to my friends and family. Plus I would totally recommend this program because it is such a welcoming environment no matter who you are.”
Bryant, High School Senior
Past Events, Projects & Previous Work
Donate To Our Campaign:
Cultivating Futures: The Aspire Growth Initiative
Cultivating Futures: The Aspire Growth Initiative Campaign
Join us in empowering BIPOC youth in King County!
Aspire Growth is on a mission to raise $200,000 to sustain and expand our life-changing programs over the next 6 months. Your support will help us increase our cohort from 25 to 38 youth, providing them with the skills, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.
Our Impact:
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92% employment rate among participants
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100% high school graduation rate
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Innovative programs in education, entrepreneurship, and cultural identity development
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Comprehensive support from age 11 through 24
Your donation will directly contribute to:
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Academic support and college navigation
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Entrepreneurship training and mentorship
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Mental health resources and art therapy
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Cultural celebration and community building
Choose Your Impact:
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Seed of Change ($100-$499)
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Cultivator ($500-$999)
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Nurturer ($1,000-$4,999)
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Growth Catalyst ($5,000-$9,999)
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Visionary ($10,000+)
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in the lives of our youth. Together, we can build a more equitable, vibrant future for King County.
Invest in potential. Invest in equity. Invest in Aspire Growth.
Stay tuned! We're excited to announce that 3 new innovative programs are on the horizon for 2025. These initiatives will further enhance our ability to empower BIPOC youth in King County, addressing key areas such as mental health, entrepreneurship, and creative expression.
Sponsors
