LEAF OF LIFE STARTS NON PROFIT

Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING is an emerging nonprofit organization that helps youth turn their dreams into reality in Jamaica & Northern California, supporting their development through programs focused on social emotional learning, literacy, and the arts with our future goal of opening Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING Centers.

Where there is no vision, the people perish...

Our vision is that children and youth have the opportunity to participate in activities that nourish their mind, body & soul such as life skills classes, music & arts classes, athletics, and more. Our core activities include classes and a written, replicable curriculum that utilizes music, dance and play to teach problem-solving and life skills, as well as working to develop playgrounds, schools, and neighborhood libraries for youth and families in Jamaica.     

Forward the next generation

We know that in order to excel and rise out of the struggle, young people must first have their basic needs met, which is why we will include healthy free meals for participants during programming and connect them to programs that can immediately assist their families. Then we will teach life skills that are needed to succeed & expand their minds. Each child is different so depending on what their dreams are we will offer a variety of creative classes so they know they have the power to turn their dreams into reality & ultimately nourish their soul.

Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING was started by reggae artist, producer and songwriter Leaf of Life. He is based in the Bay Area but originally from Kingston, Jamaica. Leaf of Life has recorded hundreds of songs and performed on the top shows in Jamaica & the US. He has reached Billboard charts and written songs for icons such as Queen Ifrica.  

Leaf of Life got his name from his grandmother who would always tell him to go grab some "leaf of life" from her yard. "Leaf of life" is a succulent plant native to Africa but grown all over the world due to it's popularity as a "miracle healing plant".

“AYA” the Adinkra symbol of endurance and resourcefulness are the symbols included on the Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING logo. It is represented by a fern, an ancient hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. Leaf of Life, coming from the ghettos of Kingston, knows the importance of having strength and persistence, qualities that helped him survive and thrive. 

He knows firsthand the struggles of growing up poor and black having grown up in a one room shack with his parents and four siblings. Many of his friends didn’t make it–either by literally losing their lives to violence or just never being able to rise out of poverty to fulfill their dreams. Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING was founded as a way to give forward to the next generation and support youth and families with resources that Leaf of Life did not have as a child.   

We invite you to be a part of our growing community of  Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING supporters!  

Your gift will change the lives of our youth & help fund the following programs that directly benefit the ones who need it most:   

• Heartfullness Project: Curriculum that teaches children social emotional skills in an easy & fun way that sticks using music, dance & games. As part of this offering, we donate “Problem Solving (made easy) Kits” as tools for schools & children to utilize in underrepresented communities in the Bay Area & Northern California.  
• Free Neighborhood Book Libraries: in Jamaica we build little book "houses" in the community where children are welcome to take a book or share a book. They promote literacy, build community & expand book access.     
• St. Issac’s Basic School’s Playground: A preschool in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, St. Issac’s opened it’s doors in 2012 & is in dire need of a safe area for the children to play including: fencing, jungle gym & playground equipment.  
• Leaf of Life YOUTH RISING Centers: coming soon

$50 = 1 Problem Solving (made easy) Kit donated to an underrepresented child/family or school   

$100 = 3 Problem Solving (made easy) Kits donated to underrepresented children/families or schools    

$250 = 2 Neighborhood Book Houses built in Jamaica   

$500 =  Complete fencing for St. Issac’s Basic School’s playground