VISION
Start Here provides young people in low-income communities with information, experiences, and opportunities that grows their skills, raises their self-confidence, and empowers them to drive change within themselves and their communities.
MISSION
Start Here provides young people in low-income communities with information, experiences, and opportunities that grows their skills, raises their self-confidence, and empowers them to drive change within themselves and their communities. Our programs support: Career Exploration - Professional Development - Internship Placement - Mentorship
ABOUT US
We are a group of entrepreneurs, educators, and working professionals who were once just like the young people we hope to reach. We are people from different racial, social, and economic backgrounds all working together to show the youth that no matter where you are from, no matter who you are, no matter what has happened to you, you can overcome and create a better world for yourself and those around you. The missing link in the lives of so many young people is access to the knowledge and resources to create change. We believe through empowering underprivileged and underserved youth with said knowledge and resources, by creating opportunities for them to apply and use new knowledge, they will develop an ability and confidence to pursue lasting change.
OUR HISTORY
Our History - Start Here Empowerment was founded in Los Angeles, California in 2020 by Athena Alberto and Saaya Temori,
two multifaceted first generation American women who were inspired by their respective stories to make a positive change in local low-income communities. They started small, by simply helping other non-profit organizations hand out food and supplies in local housing projects during the pandemic. However, they soon realized simply giving handouts was not enough to make a lasting impact. This realization led to the birth of Start Here. In partnering with the LAPD CSP, the Boys and Girls club of Ramona Gardens, and the HACLA to name a few, the two co-founders have hosted events and founded programs to make steps toward lasting change for youth in the low-income neighborhoods of the greater Los Angeles area.