In 2020, while much of the world felt uncertain and disconnected, something hopeful was taking root right here in Coweta County.
What began as a new chapter for a small local team has grown into one of the most impactful student support movements in our community.
ELEVATE Coweta Students officially stepped into its independent mission that year, recognizing something important: the needs of students in Coweta County were uniquely local — and required a local response.
Rather than operating under a national umbrella, ELEVATE embraced the advantage of being flexible, nimble, and boots-on-the-ground. That meant responding quickly to needs as they emerged here in our schools — not months later, not filtered through national priorities — but immediately, personally, and relationally.
And they hit the ground running.
More Than Graduation
When ELEVATE first partnered with East Coweta High School, the goal was clear: help students who were on the verge of not graduating cross the finish line.
But as Site Coordinators began meeting with students, a deeper truth surfaced. The issue wasn't always academic.
It was anxiety. It was instability. It was lack of confidence. It was not having a safe adult to call when things felt overwhelming.
Graduation requirements were often just the visible symptom of deeper struggles.
So ELEVATE adjusted.
Over the last four to five years, the organization has expanded into workforce development programs, partnering with local businesses to prepare students for life after high school. What started as academic intervention has evolved into something much broader — equipping students with life skills, trade exposure, business training, and real-world opportunity.
By working directly with businesses, ELEVATE identifies workforce gaps in our own community and helps build programs that prepare students to step into those roles. Trades. Technical skills. Entrepreneurial pathways. Career readiness.
It's no longer just about helping students graduate. It's about helping them thrive.
Filling the Gaps Teachers Can't
Teachers and administrators are true heroes — but they are stretched thin. With classrooms full and demands high, there simply isn't always capacity to walk one-on-one with every student facing emotional, social, or family challenges.
That's where ELEVATE comes in.
Today, ELEVATE serves students K–12 throughout the Coweta County School District and has full time staff embedded on campus at five schools — two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools with a dedicated ELEVATE room. This makes ELEVATE unique in their ability to serve students right where they are. ELEVATE is not a before or after school program, it's an in the moment, meeting students where they are when they need program.
In the 2025–26 school year alone, ELEVATE will directly impact more than 2,000 students. That's not a statistic. That's 2,000 stories in motion.
Growth Through Trust
When an eighth-grade student joined Smokey Road Middle School's ELEVATE caseload in August 2024, trust didn't come easily. Coming from a family already connected to the program, she entered hesitant and emotionally guarded.
But that's when their mentor stepped in. This mentor quickly connected with this student's family — offering guidance, support, and simple acts of care like taking the kids for meals or walks around the square. Those gestures built something deeper than a program could — they built relationship.
A turning point came when the student made the soccer team. Both site coordinator and mentor attended every home game they could. The student began to see that the adults in her life were invested in her success — not just academically, but personally.
Over time, something shifted. Instead of reacting impulsively, the student began seeking out ELEVATE when she felt overwhelmed. Her emotional regulation improved. Her confidence grew. At a recent Smokey Road Middle School Honors Program, this student received the Kiwanis Most Improved Award for the entire 8th grade.
Growth like that doesn't happen by accident. It happens through presence.
A Parent's Perspective
Another parent shared how ELEVATE has impacted her daughter, who struggles with anxiety. High school had not always been easy. Social settings were overwhelming. Anxiety could spiral quickly.
But ELEVATE became a safe place. When emotions rose, she had somewhere to go. A place to breathe. To reset. To talk through next steps. The team helped her organize her thoughts, create plans of action, and even communicate with teachers when needed.
Instead of spiraling, she learned to advocate for herself. Now a senior, her mother says without hesitation that her academic and emotional growth has been deeply shaped by ELEVATE. She has learned she can do hard things. That confidence will follow her long after graduation.
Six Years In — And Just Getting Started
In just six years, ELEVATE has expanded into multiple schools, built workforce development partnerships, created mentorship structures, provided safe, relational spaces for students, and helped shape thousands of young lives.
But here's the honest truth: the need is bigger than the current capacity. ELEVATE's reach is directly tied to the number of mentors, business partners, donors, and community members willing to step in.
The Invitation
ELEVATE doesn't just need funding. It needs people. Mentors willing to walk alongside students. Businesses willing to partner in workforce development. Community members willing to invest time, prayer, and support.
Because when you partner with a student, you're not just helping them graduate — you're helping shape the future of Coweta County. And that future matters.
ELEVATE is proof that when a community steps up, students don't just survive. They rise.
For More Info or to get involved call or email Kevin Barbee, Executive Director at 404-313-4113 or kbarbee@elevatecowetastudents.org or visit www.elevatecowetastudents.org