Our History

After 31 years in the video production and corporate communications industry, Joe Baldo was called to a life of ministry. A loving family, wonderful life, a successful career, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude led Joe here.

Volunteering in detention facilities, jails, and prisons, Joe had countless conversations with young people where it became clear to me that their fate was sealed well before they became incarcerated.  It was obvious that these local youth from severely under-resourced neighborhoods needed self-esteem, guidance, hope, and positive role models. This led Joe to the concept of Higher Ground:

 

• A stable place that is always available, especially when a child is facing critical choices that can have lifelong implications.

• Space where kids know they are always welcome, safe, and guided toward positive opportunities.

• An environment with honest and caring mentors providing ongoing support in all areas that youth need to be successful in life.

Higher Ground does this by providing a multi-use field, a clubhouse, a creative learning center, and other various modular buildings for engaging activities as well as homework help and tutoring, which is staffed by a wide range of mentors who have a heart for this ministry.  We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Higher Ground, its mentors, and the youth we serve.