Jared J. Makheja, a student at St. Albans School, is the co-founder and current CEO of The Elevator Project. Aside from leading operations, raising funds, engaging partners and supporting applicants, he is also aggressively orchestrating the development and implementation of the organization's Affordable Housing Program. 

 

Before assuming the role of CEO, Jared lead the organization's focused initiative to build a Special Needs Program after interviewing several applicants. Some applicants shared with him that they had special learning needs that limited their ability and morale to seek higher income job positions. He was determined to help those with disabilities rise out of their current socio-economic status.

 

Jared's research and orchestration led to plans to expand the Project's offerings by creating a program to accommodate those with special needs. His work would allow those with disabilities to rise out of poverty by providing them custom, tailored Floor Plan that addressed their unique needs through indiviualized apprenticeship programs, customized vocational training, and one-on-one soft skill training.

 

Jared believes that nobody should be left behind in the movement to end poverty and that, as Nelson Mandela once said, "overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." Jared hopes that one day he can impact an entire community, then a nation, and someday the entire world.

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