Dear Heights Community,
This past spring, we surveyed our community about what
word best describes Philadelphia’s spirit, and overwhelmingly,
the response was: Grit.
Philly Grit = Collective Determination
Heights Philadelphia is redefining grit — not as the isolated
struggle of an underdog, but as the collective determination to
build prosperity in the city that transformed the world. Rather
than plucking a talented few from obscurity, Philly grit is driven
by thousands of young people building pathways to economic
mobility for themselves and future generations. When we pair
their determination with future-focused advising, world-expanding
enrichment, trust-building mentorship, and opportunity-creating
partnerships, youth gain the tools to break the cycle of
generational poverty and achieve lasting success.
Long before the phrase gained traction across the sector,
Heights pioneered this work, defining ourselves as an Economic
Mobility Catalyst — an organization that creates, with
students, educational and career pathways to prosperity.
Our vision is simple, attainable, and transformative: Every student
in Philadelphia graduates high school connected to an
educational or workforce opportunity.
Four years ago, we made a choice in coming together to found
Heights: serve as many young people at the highest quality level
possible, delivered through our four core pillars: College and
Career Advising, Career Pathways, Communities of
Support, and Partnership. During the 2025–2026 school year,
the impact of that choice was clear: Heights served 4,474 students
in our core programming — exceeding our target of 4,000 students
and representing an increase of 845 students from last year.
That impact starts early: we served 805 middle school students,
which includes our Steppingstone Academy scholars. Our Class of
2026 high school graduates submitted 3,085 college applications,
with 91% planning to enroll and about 17% attending with a zero
cash gap. Looking at post-collegiate outcomes, 59% of responding
graduates left college completely debt-free, while 93% graduated
with manageable debt — less than $27,000 for four-year degrees
and under $12,000 for two-year degrees.
Grit doesn’t mean youth bear the weight of systemic barriers
on their own — it means their determination is matched with
an organizational commitment to working systematically for
their success. We brought this to life in 2025–2026 through
key institutional partnerships, including 17 high school and
7 middle schools within the School District of Philadelphia,
alongside 14 colleges and universities. Beyond the classroom,
our students gained real-world experience through internships
with leading companies and organizations — such as Deloitte,
Rhodes Manufacturing, Skills Initiative, and The Wistar Institute.
Powered by a vibrant network of 225 dedicated volunteers,
2,000+ alumni, and 650+ donors, our community proved
what is possible when we stand together.
If you are worried about the economic future of this region and
country, partnering with Heights allows you to do something
about it. Show young people that you are invested in them
and their future.
In Philly, prosperity belongs to everyone — which means all
of us can contribute and our entire city can thrive. At Heights,
we are working with partners like you to ensure access
to educational and workforce success is every
student’s right and our shared responsibility —
Philly Grit at work. Your support today fuels
this movement. Join us and invest in our young
people right now at bit.ly/PhillyGrit2026 —
together, we will transform student grit into
citywide prosperity.
Help students in their journey to become the “Grand Individuals”
Whitman described and you will be better for it.
Onward and upward,
Sean E. Vereen, Ed.D.
President and CEO, Heights Philadelphia
“[M]ake the building
up of the masses,
by building up
grand individuals.”
– Walt Whitman, 1870
Heights Philadelphia
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