The Power of Collaboration

Communities and schools creating solutions together.

Who We Are
What We Do
Collective Impact

Our Why

We believe that advancing equity requires a “collaborative consciousness”.

Our Vision

A Boston where every child has access to high quality education, housing, and health. 

Our History

Recent News & Events

Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “BPS Has Closed Dozens of Schools since 1980. Despite declining Enrollment, the district has held on to most of the buildings. “
Collective Impact

Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “BPS Has Closed Dozens of Schools since 1980. Despite declining Enrollment, the district has held on to most of the buildings. “

Mar 12, 2025 1 min read
Higher Ground Founder Hubie Jones and Board of Advisors member Professor James Jennings discuss the promising results of Higher Grounds collective impact work and potential broad application across Boston.
Read More
Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “He Migrated to Mass. in Search of Stability, Now He’s Homeless. “
Collective Impact

Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “He Migrated to Mass. in Search of Stability, Now He’s Homeless. “

Nov 6, 2024 1 min read
Higher Ground Founder Hubie Jones and Board of Advisors member Professor James Jennings discuss the promising results of Higher Grounds collective impact work and potential broad application across Boston.
Read More
Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “A Public-Community Effort to tackle Student Homelessness”
Collective Impact

Higher Ground in The Boston Globe: “A Public-Community Effort to tackle Student Homelessness”

Aug 20, 2024 1 min read
Higher Ground Founder Hubie Jones and Board of Advisors member Professor James Jennings discuss the promising results of Higher Grounds collective impact work and potential broad application across Boston.
Read More
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Our Focus Areas

We focus on challenges identified by community members. We leverage the many resources that exist in our partner schools and our community. We view these focus areas as interconnected –  that’s why our approach is holistic and multi-faceted.

Education

Health

Housing

Community Capacity

Reflections from Our Community

Why Collaboration Matters

Our community of parents, residents, service providers, funders, universities and government agencies share what sets Higher Ground apart.

Shondell Davis, Parent Leader

“I really feel like Higher Ground gives you a voice. I honestly believe that if it was not for Higher Ground that I would not have been able to be a part of the committees that I’m part of…Higher Ground gave me the opportunity as a parent for my voice to be heard. Higher Ground is a platform for you to be heard.”

Karla Jenkins, Principal, Henry L. Higginson School

“We’ve reaped the benefits of a partnership that is purposefully focused on Roxbury and our community, purposely focused on educating the students and supporting the families in that community and really engaging in thoughtful dialogue, advocacy and support to ensure the Higginson community gets what it needs.”

Erika Florence Higher Ground parent and Board member

“As [parents] we have been in circles we probably never would have been in had it not been for Higher Ground. Members learned to confidently express their needs and concerns to get stuff done. From raising money, to supporting a school, to getting help for special needs students.”

LaShaunda Watson, Parent Advisory Group Member

“Higher Ground has brought an awareness of the deficit that exists in black and brown communities and how so often our kids are left out. Being involved with Higher Ground, I saw the need for me to be directly involved. We have to take the wheel and drive success for our kids. There’s power in that.”

Rahn Dorsey, Chief Impact Officer, Eastern Bank

“The neighborhood is rich with social service agencies and educational supports, including schools. However, limited or uneven impact over time suggests that the efforts of neighborhood-based organizations don’t add up to the sum of their parts. Higher Ground seeks to better organize, connect, and integrate neighborhood assets to provide more effective support for children and families.”

Nikki Tabron, Chief Education Officer, Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center

“Higher Ground comes to the table with the schools, families and community partners – it’s revolutionary. This collaborative shows the power of a small group of folks coming together that is truly based in the community pulling together resources. ”

John Riordan, Director of Community Relations and Partnerships, Boston Children’s Hospital

It’s been a privilege to be able to work alongside Higher Ground. … it was ambitious even before the pandemic hit. It has been truly impressive to see how the work was able to be continued and expanded upon under much more trying circumstances. We are thrilled to be a part of this effort.”

James Jennings Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Tufts University

“Higher Ground is exemplary in that it focuses on parent empowerment and grassroots organizing in addition to coordinating agencies and institutions.”

Our Impact

65+

Collaborative Partners

Established effective partnerships with more than 65 community providers, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

75%

Reduced Student homelessness

Housed over 400 students and their families in our partner schools by working with a coalition of providers and government agencies to find systems-level improvements.

$15 M

Invested

Secured over $15 million in investments for Roxbury and surrounding neighborhoods to strengthen the quality of education, health, and housing.

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