The Program

The Ladder for America fosters mentorship and facilitates leadership in underrepresented communities. The program is designed to help children and young adults from minority and low income families explore and learn about careers in the healthcare industry. Intergenerational participants meet monthly to learn about a wide variety of healthcare disciplines from residents and physicians. Learners at all levels engage in hands-ons activities together. The relationships and mentorships formed in our community are critical to the students’ growth and success. It is through providing practical experiences and mentorship that we as an organization are able to “Lift As You Climb – Build as You Grow.”

The Program

The Ladder for America fosters mentorship and facilitates leadership in underrepresented communities. The program is designed to help children and young adults from minority and low income families explore and learn about careers in the healthcare industry. Intergenerational participants meet monthly to learn about a wide variety of healthcare disciplines from residents and physicians. Learners at all levels engage in hands-ons activities together. The relationships and mentorships formed in our community are critical to the students’ growth and success. It is through providing practical experiences and mentorship that we as an organization are able to “Lift As You Climb – Build as You Grow.”

Monthly meetings are the foundation for strong and lasting bonds

Two hour monthly meetings featuring hands on activities covering a variety of topics such as:

  • Family Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Nursing care
  • Dental Medicine
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Vital signs
  • Pediatrics
  • Continuous character and leadership training, application preparation (college and graduate), and cascading mentorship.


A typical monthly meeting follows this agenda:

1. Opening

  • Welcome
  • Check-ins
  • Review last meeting and agenda
  • Post Quote of the Day

2. Fellowship

  • “Build the Ladder” activity and count off. Participants line up by age and generation.
  • This a visual representation of our Cascading Mentorship

3. Breakout Groups

  • Ladder mentors present 3 topics related to theme
  • Hands-on learning experiences

4. Closing on Conclusion

  • Ladder mentors present 3 topics related to theme
  • Hands-on learning experiences

The Ladder is a tool

The Ladder is a tool and the Ladder is a path. It is built with the efforts of the members to support each other and to be the change they want to see in the world.

1. Community

Build a community of learners and leaders.

2. Supportive

Create supportive inter-generational and peer-to-peer bonds

3. Academic

Bridge the divide between under-represented communities, education, and the public and private sector in healthcare, medical and science

4. Young Members

Link young members and their families to a viable pathway through personal and community enrichment

Innovative Mentorship Program

1. Skills

Teaching both the skills and the personal characteristics needed for kids to gain experience through medical and community service learning projects.

2. Predictors

Nurturing the character traits that are consistent with predictors of success in the educational process and professional careers.

3. Challenges

Removing the stigma of achievement that can be present for kids in challenged communities by developing social bonds for support and mutual advancement.

4. Infrastructure

Creating an infrastructure of cascading mentorship and service learning in the setting of health career training. Learn more about cascading mentorship.