Welcome to Year Up Atanta.

WHAT'S NEW

LOOKING FOR MENTORS
Mentors make memories! Impact the life of a growing professional by sharing:

• A 10 month commitment
• One hour a month for lunch
• Regular, consistent communication via phone and email
• Insight on your personal and professional journey.

For more information contact:
Dakira S. Walker, PhD, MSW
(404)249-0300 x4075 or dwalker01@yearup.org

Year Up Atlanta featured in atlanta business chronicle. Read more

Year Up Atlanta congratulates their SECOND CLASS

Year Up Atlanta was featured in Youth Today
Read more

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE September 2010 CLASS!
Year Up Atlanta is now accepting applications for our next class that begins in September and graduates July 30, 2011. Early applications are encouraged as space is limited, and the deadline to apply is TBA. To begin the application process, please fill out an interest form and contact P.W. Reed of the Admissions team at 404-249-0300 x4003 preed@yearup.org.

WHO WE SERVE
Year Up serves high school graduates and GED recipients ages 18 to 24 years old from the Atlanta, Georgia area.

EVENTS
There are no events currently scheduled.

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CONTACT US
Address:
Year Up Atlanta
730 Peachtree St., Suite 900
Atlanta, Ga. 30308

Phone and Fax Information:
Phone: 404-249-0300
Fax: 404-249-0099

For driving directions:

For general questions, contact:
Raquel Hackley
404-249-0300 x4000
rhackley@yearup.org

For questions about becoming a Year Up student, contact:
P.W. Reed
404-249-0300 x4003
preed@yearup.org

To hire a Year Up intern, contact:
Kim Dalimonte
404-249-0300, ext. 4077
kdalimonte@yearup.org

To volunteer at Year Up, contact:
Dakira S. Walker PhD, MSW
(404)249-0300 x4075
dwalker01@yearup.org

To invest in or donate to Year Up, contact:
Kweku Forstall
404-249-0300 x4001
kforstall@yearup.org

Media Inquiries, Contact:
Roberto Zeledon
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
rzeledon@YearUp.org
617-542-1533 ext. 1563

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OUR TEAm, atlanta

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Habiba "BIBA" Adams
Business Communications Instructor
Biba Adams joined Year Up as the Part-time Teaching Assistant for Business Communications in 2010. Prior to moving to Atlanta in 2009, she worked for Central Michigan University Upward Bound program where she was a reading and writing tutor, and the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan teaching drug, alcohol, tobacco and violence prevention. A native of Detroit, MI, Biba also has a strong background in Journalism and was the Arts & Culture Editor of The Michigan Citizen Newspaper. She is also a contributor to eHow.com, Allhiphop.com, Hiphopwired.com, and The Source Magazine. A connoisseur of hip-hop music and culture, Biba loves 90’s hip-hop, exploring Atlanta, trivia, and spending time with her daughter, Maria. Biba is a graduate of Marygrove College in Detroit where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and was the first African-American woman to graduate with a minor in Philosophy. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and hopes to one day publish a novel and complete a screenplay. 

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Arica Berry
Internship Coordinator
Arica’s 15 year career with KeyBank, The Home Depot, and Boardwalk Consulting has allowed her to work in the areas of sales, recruiting, training, and program development. The core responsibility in all of the positions was her involvement in identifying organizational needs and finding the right resources and people that could support and contribute to specific business strategies. Her passion has been watching the “light bulb go off” once individuals have grasped a concept she has taught and are able to apply and move one more step forward towards achieving their dreams. As the internship coordinator, Arica will continue to provide the guidance and professional development skills necessary to better position Year Up students for success in their future endeavors.  Arica received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and a MBA from Cleveland State University.

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Tiffany Briggs
Administrative Coordinator
Tiffany is an alumnus of Year Up Bay Area. She recently moved to Atlanta in hopes of making a new beginning. Tiffany joined Year Up Atlanta in March 2010. She was born and raised in San Francisco, California and has extensive experience in administrative duties. Tiffany’s passion comes from her desire to give back to Year Up in serving them and providing quality support.   She loves supporting young adults in Year Up because she knows the challenges they encounter and desires to see them become more than what they are perceived to be. Tiffany is a kind person with a big heart and applies herself to each task and loves what she does. Her passion for working with Year Up is displayed in the quality of work she delivers and she applies herself whole-heartedly to each tasks.

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Laivian Coleman
Academic Director
Laivian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education from Grambling State University, Master’s degree in Educational Administrative/Leadership from Florida State University, and a Doctorate in Education from Clark Atlanta University. Education is his passion and his wide range of educational and professional development training has taught him the art and science of teaching and how to differentiate instruction to fit the unique needs of learners.  Laivian assisted with training for the Worker Education Training Program, where he provided basic skills instruction to unemployed and underemployed adults in the Vine City and English Avenue communities in Atlanta, GA. 
He is an energetic, well-balanced professional instructional leader with a complex and flexible knowledge base in educational administration and leadership.  Laivian will serve as the dynamic Academic Director at Year Up.

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Kim Dalimonte
Director of Corporate Partnerships & Alumni Services
Kim joins Year Up with over 12 years of sales, operations and marketing experience at Fortune 100 firms Kellogg’s, BellSouth and AT&T.  She has a proven track record in sales management, sales planning and relationship building, leading to increased revenue and customer retention and growth.  Passionate about preparing and supporting today’s youth, Kim volunteers in her community and teaches business acumen and work readiness skills.  Kim also enjoys reading, dance, volleyball and spending time with her family.  At Year Up, Kim is primarily responsible for growing corporate sponsorship in the Atlanta business community. She values diversity and multi-cultural environments and is proficient in Spanish.  Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from Michigan State University.

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Joseph Gerena
Site Leader
Joseph joins Year Up with a unique set of experiences in the non-profit and private sectors. Joseph began his career in the documentary film industry, working for the Emmy Award winning film company Blackside, as a project coordinator on the "Breakthrough" series. While at Blackside, Joseph volunteered as a teen minister with Boston area youth. This experience was so rewarding that Joseph continued this work as a campus minister at the Berklee College of Music. After the ministry, Joseph began working in the organ procurement field with the New England Organ Bank as the Latino Community Education Outreach Coordinator. He subsequently traded in the winters of New England, for an opportunity to enjoy the blistering summers in Birmingham, AL as a liaison between Birmingham area hospitals and the Alabama Organ Center. In this position, Joseph developed systems and processes for improvement in several Birmingham hospitals. Joseph has a B.S. in Communications from Boston University.

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Raquel Hackley
Site Leader
Raquel joined the Year Up team in the fall of 2008.  She has extensive experience working with young adults from the various positions she's held within colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. She moved to the metro-Atlanta from California in the spring of 2007.  She was born, raised, and educated in sunny Southern California and worked for many years in the Bay Area of Northern California.  Raquel's passion is serving young people and ensuring that they have information on the most strategic ways to access and navigate post-secondary opportunities.  She works with schools and community organizations to help prepare students for college and helps them with successful college transition, specifically to first-generation college students.  She looks forward to the rewarding opportunity of helping students in the Southeast as she did with students in the west.

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Monica Hart
Operations & Special Projects Manager
Monica joined the team at Year Up in July 2010 as the Operations and Special Projects Manager.  She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and has over 12 years experience of professional operational management skills in the non-profit and private sectors.  She had the opportunity to share and provide her professional organizational skills and community support with Foster Care Agency, Hands on Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta.  Monica has extensive experience in office management, human resources, program and special event coordinator.  She has a proven track record in outstanding planning and executing special projects and events for large groups.  She has the drive and positive attitude to embrace the role of Operations & Special Projects Manager.  She is strongly committed to producing high-quality work.  She has a passion for supporting young adults and being able to connect with them on a personal level of experience and understanding some of the challenges they face.  She enjoys reading, going shopping and interior decorating.  She looks forward to providing an impressionable level of support to the young adults and team at Year Up.

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Jacqueline "Jaki" Jones
Business Communications Instructor
Prior to joining Year Up, Jaki was a Writing Instructor at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA, where for almost 11 years she taught remedial writing as well as English Composition I and Composition II She also has worked at City Year Boston as a Program Coordinator and a GED Instructor. Jaki holds a BA degree in English from Simmons College in Boston and a JD from Northeastern University in Boston. She has 3 adult children and one granddaughter. She enjoys going to the beach, writing short stories, playing Scrabble and Taboo, and also listening to soft rock and old school R&B. Jaki believes that "The best way to predict the future is to create it." She is excited to be a member of the start-up team in Atlanta, GA and looks forward to working with young adults to develop their professional communication skills, as well as the ability to pursue their dreams with passion.

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LaMont Mitchell
Student Services Specialist
LaMont holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Siena Heights University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.  He has 10 years of overall social work experience including 6 years of professional experience in the metro Atlanta area with both State and nonprofit sectors.  In the early years of his career, LaMont assisted a Youth Coordinator and Program Director, was an Outpatient Therapist for adults, and joined the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services/DHR when he moved to Atlanta.  He later worked directly with a nonprofit Foster Care agency, and then moved into a Behavioral Specialist role.  LaMont brings to Year Up Atlanta advanced risk assessment and conflict resolution skills, as well as behavioral and educational advancement for young adults.  His knowledge and experience with community partners in the social work realm feeds his passion to advance young adults into their full potential.  Outside of work, LaMont is involved in personal training and individual basketball skill development for beginners, high-school and collegiate-level athletes.

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Jynnifer Phillips
Outreach & Admissions Specialist
Jynnifer brings 6 years of admission experience.  Jynnifer is a native of New Jersey and the oldest of six.  Prior to moving to Atlanta in the summer of 2009, Jynnifer worked as an Admission Officer for her alma mater Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland.  Jynnifer comes with a unique blend of experiences including social work, event planning, public health emergency preparedness, childhood obesity prevention, therapeutic mentoring and 26 years of dance training.  She has a bachelors degree in Social Work and a Masters degree in Public Health.  Jynnifer is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a mentor for Diamonds in the Rough.  Jynnifer is extremely excited to reach out to the Atlanta community to share Year Up's story and recruit bright new talented youth.

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Carolyn D. Pitt
Manager of Corporate Affairs & Alumni Services
Carolyn joins Year Up with a diversified background that includes law, business development, marketing, mentoring and consulting.  Prior to joining Year Up, she spearheaded the national marketing and business development efforts for an executive placement boutique.  In that capacity, she advised corporate and law firm clients on various aspects of attorney hiring and retention and assisted attorney candidates with career planning and with the advancement of their business and strategic goals.  Carolyn previously practiced law at Alston & Bird LLP, served as Director of Business Development for several executive placement enterprises, and as General Counsel for a marketing software company.  Her multidisciplinary background, understanding of organizational leadership, and years of experience in mentoring young professionals have enabled her to provide invaluable insight to young people and to effectively initiate and manage accounts for clients from every industry.  Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Vanderbilt University, and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law.  She is featured in the recently published The Unhappy Lawyer: A Roadmap to Finding Meaningful Work Outside of the Law, a book that focuses on creative placement options for attorneys.w, a book that focuses on creative placement options for attorneys.

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Luci Ponder
IT Instructor
Luci comes to Year Up with 14 years of teaching and corporate IT experience. Prior to joining YearUp, she was an Instructor of Information Systems at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. She also has worked on the full systems development life cycle for several software companies. Luci is excited to be a member of the start-up team in Atlanta, GA and eager to work with young adults to develop their technical skills. Luci holds a BS degree in Business from the University of Alabama and a MBA in Information Systems from Georgia State University.

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P.W. Reed
Outreach/Admissions Director
P.W. Reed, is a driven leader with over 20 years of experience working in private and non private sectors as a sales trainer, motivational speaker, life coach, consultant, and clinician. Reed as he prefers to be called, has worked with Year Up Since September 2007 as a consultant, interim Director of Admissions, life coach and Student Service Contractor.  He is the former founder/ Chairman of a Christian based non profit organization serving over 5,000 members across four locations, including New Orleans, Hyde Park, Trinidad and West Africa. His ministry has sponsored one of the largest food banks in Boston, Ma., substance abuse centers, adolescent program and children of the night programs.  In the private sector he is the founder of Five Star Consulting, Inc., a Non Profit organization that mentors children and adolescents.  Reed provides treatment and support to athletes and families in healthy living, providing crisis intervention, mental health treatment, preventative health and personal training. Reed has provided over 20 years of sales training and motivational lectures to high schools, college students and sales organizations nationally. He has also worked for more than 10 years in the Junior College/Vocational training programs as Director of Admissions and Educational Director. His educational background is a B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Psychology from Southern University in New Orleans, and Masters Degrees in Psychology and Substance Abuse and Drug Addiction from Cambridge College.   

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Stacey Stevens
Director of Development
Stacey is a dedicated non profit professional, with over 15 years experience raising money in the Atlanta area.  Prior to joining Year Up Atlanta, Stacey served as the Director of Development & Community Partnerships for the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta (Decatur-DeKalb branch). In this role, Stacey was responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting existing and potential donors for capital, annual and major gifts. She researched and composed all private and government grants and positioned the Y as a strategic partner with business and community organizations to deliver the YMCA mission. Under Stacey’s leadership, the Decatur-DeKalb Y was chosen as one of three YMCA’s in North America to participate in a two year pilot study led by Cygnus Applied Research, Inc.  The goal of the study was to convert non giving members into donors. Stacey was an active trainer for the YMCA of metro Atlanta and is a Faculty member of the YMCA of the USA. Prior to Stacey’s career at the YMCA, she served as the Director of Foundation & Corporate support for Breakthrough Atlanta, a national non profit organization hosted by The Lovett School, a K-12 independent school in Atlanta. Stacey holds a B.A. in Communications from Loyola University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.  Stacey looks forward to using her skills as a member of the Year Up Atlanta community.

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Dr. Dakira Walker
Director of Student Services
Dakira “Dr. D” Walker, PhD, MSW is the Director of Student Services.  She has served in numerous leadership roles in the non-profit arena and academia.  Dr. Walker managed PCA Georgia’s HFG program site for nine years, prior to joining the adjunct faculty of Clark Atlanta University.  She has an extensive background in child development, program management and social welfare issues.  In addition to child abuse prevention services, Dr. Walker worked in victim/witness assistance, has been clinical director of a child advocacy center, and has been a social services supervisor at a domestic violence shelter.  She has a strong passion for teaching and working with young adults.  At Year Up Atlanta, she aspires to contribute to the success of the community.

Dr. Walker is a native of Chicago and she came to Atlanta in 1987 to attend Clark Atlanta University.  She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science, a Master’s of Social Work and a doctorate in Social Work Administration, Policy and Planning, all from Clark-Atlanta University’s Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work.  She is the proud mother of Van Dyke, IV and Cydne.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, serves as the Recording Secretary for the CAU-Alumni Association Atlanta Chapter and supports several non-profit organizations.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, serving in her church, roller-skating, reading and traveling.

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