Mission

T.E.E.S. is a nonprofit organization that began in Texas, expanded to Miami, and is now serving communities in North Carolina. We are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive environment where youth can build trust, develop self-respect, and gain the skills needed for a productive, fulfilling life free from peer pressure, gangs, and drugs. Over time, we have expanded our mission to support both youth and the broader community through a variety of programs that address social, educational, and workforce development needs. Our initiatives focus on empowering youth through skill-building and leadership development, supporting academic success, and providing access to future workforce housing opportunities. Our mission is to help youth and the community achieve their aspirations and enhance their quality of life.

Community First!!

A fund that provides financial assistance, groceries, and essential items to families in need during times of crisis, such as natural disasters, job loss, or personal tragedy.  Our urgent and pressing mission is to tackle the housing challenge by preserving and creating rental housing that is TRULY AFFORDABLE for working class families, young professionals starting their careers, seniors and those with limited incomes.

Programs

SMART’N UP

Statistics show that on any given day, nearly 60,000 youth under the age of 18 are incarcerated in juvenile jails and prisons in the United States. Additionally, 2.08 million 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last month, with 83.88% reporting marijuana use. By inspiring, instructing, and redirecting these young people, we hope to help them avoid these outcomes. Our goal is to address these issues in a way that resonates and awakens their consciousness.

Summit: A comprehensive full-day event featuring multiple speakers, meals, and interactive breakout sessions, typically lasting 2-4 hours. This program empowers young Black males through networking and discussions on essential topics.

Pop-Up: A focused 1-hour session with a dynamic speaker delivering a concise, impactful message on specific themes such as leadership, mental health, or career readiness.

University: A year-long program tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of schools or organizations, offering monthly sessions that cover various essential skills. This program is designed to ensure relevance and impact for each community served.

CLICK HERE to bring Smart’N Up to your city

Teen Table Talks (year-round)

A program that invites middle and high school teens to join a lively and engaging discussion about the social and community issues that matter to them, such as substance abuse, social media, violence, bullying, and more. TTT helps teens discover their self-worth and build their character through positive and supportive conversations.


Let's Talk (year round)

A program that invites young adults, college students, parents, and everyone from the community to join a conversation that matters. Let’s Talk aims to inspire our youth and the community to grow, learn, and transform together through unity and collaboration, one series at a time.

Past Topics

  • Perception vs. Reality

  • Perception vs. Reality II

  • Bridging The Gap Between Community & Law Enforcement

Special Programs

Winter Warmth / Seasons’ Feedings

Winter Warmth is an annual event that provides essential winter clothing, including coats, gloves, and other necessities, to children in need. This initiative is a spin-off of our successful Seasons’ Feedings event, which ran annually for three years and provided 20,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious produce to families in need. Building on that foundation of community support, Winter Warmth aims to ensure that every child can stay warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Through collaboration and generosity, we strive to make a positive impact by equipping families with the resources they need to thrive. Our goal is to foster a spirit of togetherness and support, uniting the community to help our youth and their families during the winter season.

Pampering With A Purpose

Pampering with a Purpose is a quarterly event where teens and adults, who have suffered a hardship in their lives, are provided a full day of pampering free of charge.

Youth Zone at Overtown Music & Arts Festival

The Youth Zone is an Annual mini festival within the Overtown Music & Arts Festival catering to our younger attendees.  Families can bring along the toddlers, teens and all those in between to enjoy fun interactive activities & obtain valuable information on resources and programs available in Miami Dade County.