MISSION
T.E.E.S. mission is to empower youth and families to overcome barriers and build stable, self-sufficient futures through life-changing programs, crisis support, and pathways to affordable living.
ABOUT US
T.E.E.S. (Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and families through transformative community engagement, essential support services, and initiatives that promote long-term stability and opportunity.
Founded in Texas, T.E.E.S. expanded its work to Miami and now serves communities in North Carolina and beyond. As the organization has grown, so has its mission—evolving from youth-focused engagement into a broader commitment to supporting families and strengthening communities through both immediate assistance and long-term development strategies.
At the heart of T.E.E.S. is a commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces where young people are exposed to positive influences, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to make informed life decisions. Through large-scale Youth Empowerment Summits, T.E.E.S. brings together community leaders, professionals, and advocates to address critical issues impacting youth, including personal development, education, violence prevention, and future readiness.
In addition to youth programming, T.E.E.S. responds to immediate community needs through the Community First Fund, which provides critical support such as food, basic necessities, and emergency relief for families facing hardship due to job loss, displacement, natural disasters, or personal tragedy. This fund is designed to stabilize households during urgent moments and help restore dignity and security.
T.E.E.S. is also committed to addressing the long-term challenge of housing stability through the Community First Development Fund for Housing, which supports efforts to preserve and expand access to truly affordable housing for working families, seniors, young professionals, and individuals with limited or fixed incomes. This initiative focuses on strengthening communities by promoting housing stability and reducing displacement.
Across all programs, T.E.E.S. remains guided by one core belief: when families are supported and communities are stabilized, youth have a greater opportunity to thrive.
Community First!!
The Community First Fund delivers immediate relief to families in crisis through essential support services while also investing in long-term solutions that expand access to truly affordable housing.
Programs
SMART’N UP
Statistics show that on any given day, nearly 60,000 youth under the age of 18 are incarcerated in juvenile jails and prisons in the United States. Additionally, 2.08 million 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last month, with 83.88% reporting marijuana use. By inspiring, instructing, and redirecting these young people, we hope to help them avoid these outcomes. Our goal is to address these issues in a way that resonates and awakens their consciousness.
Summit: A comprehensive full-day event featuring multiple speakers, meals, and interactive breakout sessions, typically lasting 2-4 hours. This program empowers young Black males through networking and discussions on essential topics.
Pop-Up: A focused 1-hour session with a dynamic speaker delivering a concise, impactful message on specific themes such as leadership, mental health, or career readiness.
University: A year-long program tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of schools or organizations, offering monthly sessions that cover various essential skills. This program is designed to ensure relevance and impact for each community served.
CLICK HERE to bring Smart’N Up to your city
Teen Table Talks (year-round)
A program that invites middle and high school teens to join a lively and engaging discussion about the social and community issues that matter to them, such as substance abuse, social media, violence, bullying, and more. TTT helps teens discover their self-worth and build their character through positive and supportive conversations.
Let's Talk (year round)
A program that invites young adults, college students, parents, and everyone from the community to join a conversation that matters. Let’s Talk aims to inspire our youth and the community to grow, learn, and transform together through unity and collaboration, one series at a time.
Past Topics
Perception vs. Reality
Perception vs. Reality II
Bridging The Gap Between Community & Law Enforcement
Special Programs
Winter Warmth / Seasons’ Feedings
Winter Warmth is an annual event that provides essential winter clothing, including coats, gloves, and other necessities, to children in need. This initiative is a spin-off of our successful Seasons’ Feedings event, which ran annually for three years and provided 20,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious produce to families in need. Building on that foundation of community support, Winter Warmth aims to ensure that every child can stay warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Through collaboration and generosity, we strive to make a positive impact by equipping families with the resources they need to thrive. Our goal is to foster a spirit of togetherness and support, uniting the community to help our youth and their families during the winter season.
Pampering With A Purpose
Pampering with a Purpose is a quarterly event where teens and adults, who have suffered a hardship in their lives, are provided a full day of pampering free of charge.
Youth Zone at Overtown Music & Arts Festival
The Youth Zone is an Annual mini festival within the Overtown Music & Arts Festival catering to our younger attendees. Families can bring along the toddlers, teens and all those in between to enjoy fun interactive activities & obtain valuable information on resources and programs available in Miami Dade County.