Strategic Platforms
Emerging Lives Initiative advances its mission through structured strategic platforms that strengthen leadership capacity, workforce readiness, and intergenerational connection. Each platform contributes to a coordinated ecosystem approach rather than operating as a standalone program.
Intergenerational Engagement Platform
STAS is an intergenerational leadership platform that connects youth and seniors for structured knowledge exchange, mentorship, and community dialogue.
By strengthening social capital and bridging generational experience, STAS reinforces belonging, leadership identity, and long-term community cohesion.
This platform contributes to ecosystem resilience by aligning lived experience with emerging leadership development.
Skilled & Digital Workforce Pathways Platform
The Business Meets Tech (BMT)® expands youth access to inclusive economic pathways by introducing digitally enabled entrepreneurship and skilled trades exposure, including high-demand sectors such as construction and technology-integrated industries. Through structured guidance and industry engagement, BMT strengthens youth participation in the evolving workforce landscape.
This platform contributes to workforce ecosystem development by aligning emerging talent with sustainable economic sectors.
Skilled & Digital Workforce Pathways Platform
CHESS is ELI’s structured leadership development framework designed to cultivate Competent, Organizationally Skilled, Responsible, and Ethical (CORE) youth.
Through integrated training in career development, mental resilience, entrepreneurship, digital safety, and civic engagement, CHESS strengthens long-term workforce participation and leadership capacity within the youth ecosystem.
This platform contributes to preventative development and equipping young people before crisis occurs.
C — Career & Leadership
Preparing youth for future pathways through mentorship, goal-setting, leadership training, and exposure to opportunities.
H — Health & Wellness
Promoting mental resilience, emotional wellbeing, and self-confidence.
CHESS Creative Expression Resilience Lab
A dynamic creative engagement space where youth explore art, music, storytelling, and talent challenges as tools for self-expression, confidence building, and mental wellbeing.
Activities may include:
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Painting and drawing
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Music and talent battles
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Spoken word and storytelling
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Creative showcases
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Collaborative challenges
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Chess game
Outcome: Youth develop emotional strength, creativity, and positive peer connections.
POEM BY TISE - An elder whose friend took her money and did not
want to give it back.
This poem was created based on the story told by one of the seniors of a friend
who took a loan from her friend and did not want to pay it back.
They laughed and played a clever trick,
Took her cash, and their plan was slick.
But truth came out, the lies fell flat—
She got her hard-earned money back.
She didn’t shout, she didn’t fight,
She chose instead to make things right.
With grace she stood, no need for spite,
And showed them what is truly right.
Now she says with a steady voice,
“Choose your friends with honest choice.
Not charm or jokes or flattery,
But hearts that hold integrity.”
Michelle’s creative thoughts
Wisdom poster by Eunice about Kindness and self-love
Deborah’s creative thoughts from Storytelling
E — Entrepreneurship
Building innovation, financial literacy, and business skills for economic empowerment.
S — Safety on the Internet
Equipping youth with digital skills and online safety awareness.
S — Social & Community Development
Encouraging teamwork, civic responsibility, cultural awareness, volunteerism, and community engagement.