Reaching Higher is a Brighton-based nonprofit focused on helping young people build confidence, leadership skills and practical tools for navigating school, relationships and future goals. Its youth programs are designed to strengthen personal leadership through structured lessons, mentoring and opportunities for students to reflect on how they make decisions and respond to challenges.
The organization’s Reaching Higher For Youth program serves students in grades 5 through 12 through an eight-session leadership course offered in schools and other settings. The curriculum focuses on areas such as self-confidence, goal setting, stress management, motivation, resilience and positive decision-making. Reaching Higher also offers a condensed summer version of the program for students who participate outside the traditional school year.
For younger students, Reaching Higher operates Plant Great Seeds Summer Leadership Day Camps for children entering grades 2 through 5. These camps combine leadership development with activities designed to help students build confidence, connect with peers and prepare for the school year ahead. In 2026, the organization scheduled camps in Livingston County, including programming in Pinckney.
Mentors and trained instructors play an important role in delivering the organization’s programs. Reaching Higher prepares instructors to lead its curriculum and creates opportunities for adults to support students as mentors, helping participants build stronger connections with positive adult role models while developing their own leadership skills.
Community members can support Reaching Higher by donating, mentoring, becoming trained instructors, participating in fundraising events or partnering with the organization. These contributions help expand access to youth leadership programming and bring Reaching Higher’s curriculum to more students in Livingston County and surrounding communities.