Welcome to HEAF

2009 marks HEAF's 20th Anniversary of providing college preparatory academic and leadership development programs to New York City's most promising students. Over the years, we have offered everthing from in-school chess programs to international service learning programs. The strategies have evolved over the years, but the mission has remained clear - HEAF aims to help promising students who need a little extra push to realize their higher education aspirations. Our students come afterschool, weekends, and during the summer for a host of academic enrichment and leadership development activities. We welcome them as eager middle school students and stay with them until they have completed their undergraduate degrees. The HEAF Continuum is a long-haul commitment that has led hundreds of the city's students through institutions that include Yale, Morehouse, Swarthmore, Columbia, Howard, Binghamton, and countless other colleges and universities. 

HEAF is challenging young people to stretch themselves academically, intellectually and socially - and they are meeting that challenge everyday. How are we so sure? 85% of HEAF middle school students are admitted to selective admissions high schools. 100% of HEAF students graduate from high school on time. 95% of HEAF college students graduate with a bachelor's degree in 6 years or less. 28% of HEAF college graduates go on to receive a post-graduate or professional degree. The results tell the story. HEAF offers a high return on social investment!

What can you expect from the HEAF Blog? We are going to provide our families, friends, volunteers, and supporters with a unique forum for hearing about the latest goings on in the HEAF community and provide everyone with critical information on how to maintain our commitment to helping every young person in this country develop the skills and talents they'll need to make a high impact contribution to their communities. Feel free to comment, share information, and get involved. Please feel free to visit us on the web at www.heaf.org and visit our blog as frequently as you'd like.

Want more on our story? Check out our video. Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-h4rrQntJ0

What is a HEAFer? HEAFer; n. one who is intelligent, hopeful, responsible, principled, resilient, and future-oriented.