named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Black History Month Banquet
Annual event held on the last Saturday in February to celebrate the history and achievements of Americans of African descent, featuring a guest speaker, dinner, and entertainment
Friday Youth Night
Weekly Friday night program during the school year at Emmett Belknap Middle School offering sports, games, mentorship, and snacks in a safe environment for youth ages 12-18
Project LIFTT
After-school program Monday through Thursday for at-risk elementary and middle school students, providing homework help, academic enhancement, life skills training, and cultural activities
Stepping Up Project
Annual initiative providing free sneakers, clothing, and school supplies to children in need, distributed in a festive setting with food and games
Walk-a-Thon
Annual community walk promoting a drug-free lifestyle; now in its 21st year, it serves as a platform for individuals in recovery to share their stories
Women's Expo
Workshop series for women focused on empowerment and enrichment through community services and resources
Young Men and Women of Character
10-15 week program for youth ages 13-18 that teaches life skills, personal responsibility, and decision-making through weekly sessions with guest speakers; offers two $1,000 scholarships annually
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Annual Black History Month BanquetHosts an annual Black History Month banquet featuring a guest speaker, dinner, and entertainment to highlight the history and achievements of Americans of African descent; this event has been held in Lockport for 24 years.
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Community Recovery Awareness Events 1 activity
- Annual Walk-a-Thon for a drug-free communityOrganizes an annual Walk-a-Thon event to promote a drug-free community, which has been held for 23 years as part of ongoing community engagement efforts.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award scholarships to youthAwards two $1,000 scholarships annually—one to a young man and one to a young woman—based on demonstrated character, as part of its youth development mission.
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Substance Use Information and Referral Services 1 activity
- Faith-based substance use recovery programOperates a faith-based drug and alcohol support program founded in 1994 to address and help eradicate chemical dependency in Niagara County.
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Community-Based Educational Programming 1 activity
- Project LIFTT (Learning Information for Today and Tomorrow)Founded and operates Project LIFTT to support community education and development through faith-based and educational initiatives.
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Back-to-School Supply Distribution 1 activity
- Stepping Up ProgramProvides sneakers, clothing, and school supplies annually to children in need, with a community pick-up event that includes games and food such as hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream.
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Women's Empowerment and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Women's ExpoHosts the Women's Expo, a workshop designed to enrich and empower women by providing supportive services and resources.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Young Men and Women of Character programRuns a weekly program for youth ages 13–18 at Lockport City Council Chambers featuring guest speakers who discuss life choices, aimed at building confidence, self-awareness, and skills to overcome adversity.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Youth mentoring and after-school programsProvides after-school mentoring and structured activities including homework help, academic enhancement, life skills instruction, and arts and culture for at-risk elementary and middle school students on Mondays through Thursdays. Also operates a weekly Friday night program during the school year featuring sports, mentorship, and snacks for youth ages 12–18 at Emmett Belknap Middle School.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$4K
Contributions & grants$4K88%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$53512%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$5K
Program expenses27%
Admin / overhead73%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$39K
Cash$27K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$39K
Liquid reserves68.7 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +688.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 6
- CARSEE HERRING — PRESIDENT
- FATIMA HODGE — BOARD MEMBER
- MARCUS HAMILTON — BOARD MEMBER
- RENEE CHEATHAM — TREASURER
- RONALD CHEATHAM — VICE PRESIDENT
- SHANNON PATTERSON — SECRETARY
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Emmett Belknap Middle School Partner — Hosts the Friday youth night program at its facility.
- Latter Rain Cathedral Church Partner — Church affiliation and partnership; founder and several board members are active members.
- Lockport City Council Partner — Hosts the "Young Men and Women of Character" program at the Lockport City Council Chambers.
- Lockport City School District Partner — Partnered with Lockport New Beginnings to host the Friday Night Gym program at Emmett Belknap School.
- Niagara Falls Mental Health Association Partner — Employer of board member Jon Wiley, who serves as a drug and alcohol counselor, indicating professional collaboration.
- Ronald Cheetham Partner — Program contact for the Young Men & Women of Character program.
- learner.org Partner — Utilizes learner.org as a resource for academic enhancement in the after-school program.
- pbs.org Partner — Uses pbs.org as an educational tool for academic enhancement in the after-school program.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Based Engagement to Combat Chemical Dependencymethodology: community-based recoveryBy anchoring recovery efforts in community-based services and collective action, the organization reduces chemical dependency because sustained peer and social support increases accountability and reduces isolation in recovery journeys.
- Faith-Based Recovery Modelmethodology: faith-based supportBy integrating spiritual motivation and faith-centered practices into addiction support services, the organization fosters personal transformation and sustained recovery because belief and community care are seen as foundational to overcoming chemical dependency.
- Life Skills Curriculum for Behavioral Changemethodology: life-skills developmentBy teaching adolescents a step-by-step life skills curriculum, the organization produces better life outcomes because youth learn that positive choices lead to tangible benefits, reinforcing self-efficacy and long-term community stability.
- Peer Storytelling to Inspire Recoverymethodology: peer-storytellingBy featuring personal recovery stories during public events like walk-a-thons, the organization inspires hope and motivates behavioral change because lived-experience narratives create emotional resonance and relatable pathways to healing.
- Youth Development Through Structured Mentorship and Safe Environmentsmethodology: mentorship through community volunteersBy providing safe, structured spaces and consistent engagement through weekly programming, mentoring, and community volunteers, the organization prevents youth substance use and promotes positive development because stable adult relationships and routine activities build self-worth and reduce risk exposure.