Our Partners

EMPOWERED is Higher Is Waiting's signature leadership and mentorship program for youth and young adults ages 13 to 19 throughout Henderson, Vance County, and surrounding communities. Through mentorship, leadership development, career exploration, community service, faith-based discussions, and life skills training, participants are equipped to become confident leaders while growing academically, socially, spiritually, and personally in a safe and supportive environment.

Higher Is Waiting empowers young people to make a difference through hands-on community service projects. Throughout the year, volunteers assemble and distribute Blessing Bags filled with hygiene products, toiletries, snacks, and other essential items for individuals and families experiencing hardship. Additional service initiatives include meal-packing events, community cleanups, donation drives, and projects benefiting local schools, shelters, and nonprofit organizations.

Higher Is Waiting hosts leadership conferences, educational workshops, youth rallies, and community events designed to educate, equip, and empower the next generation. These experiences provide opportunities for leadership development, civic engagement, mental wellness education, financial literacy, career readiness, and youth empowerment while connecting participants with community leaders, professionals, and mentors.

Each August, Higher Is Waiting hosts its annual Shaping the Future: A Community Empowerment Extravaganza, one of the organization's largest community outreach events. Families receive free backpacks filled with school supplies while enjoying live entertainment, a youth talent showcase, local vendors, food trucks, health screenings, community resources, and family activities. The event is designed to prepare students for a successful school year while connecting families with valuable opportunities and services.