OUR HISTORY
Built From Experience, Created for Possibility
Life Equip Group Inc. was founded from a deeply personal understanding that a young person’s circumstances should never determine the limits of their future.
Our Founder and CEO, Alyssa C. Abernathy, experienced significant challenges during her own transition from adolescence into adulthood. As a teenage mother who faced educational disruption, housing instability, and other social and economic barriers, Alyssa understood firsthand what it meant to navigate critical life decisions while still trying to discover who she was and what her future could become.
Those experiences did not become the end of her story. They became part of the foundation for her life's work. That belief became the inspiration for Life Equip Group Inc.
Why Life Equip Group Exists
Life Equip Group was created to stand alongside youth and young adults ages 15–24 during one of the most important developmental periods of their lives. We recognize that young people may encounter economic, educational, social, family, and systemic barriers while simultaneously being expected to make decisions about education, employment, relationships, finances, leadership, and their futures.
We believe that even in the face of those barriers, young people carry strength, brilliance, resilience, and possibility.
Our responsibility is not to define success for them. It is to help equip them to define, design, and pursue success for themselves.
Through information, education, resources, mentorship, service learning, workforce development, leadership opportunities, scholarships, community engagement, and meaningful experiences, Life Equip Group works to help young people strengthen the skills, relationships, confidence, and access they need to move forward.
Over the years, that vision has grown into initiatives including LEGcares, our service and philanthropic arm, the Brown Girls Learn Scholarship Fund (BGLSF), workforce development and service-learning experiences, youth leadership opportunities, educational programming, community resource initiatives, and partnerships designed to connect young people and families with opportunities beyond what they may otherwise have access to.
From Lived Experience to Community Impact
Alyssa's journey continues to influence how Life Equip Group approaches its work. We understand that progress is rarely a straight line. Young people can experience setbacks, changing circumstances, and moments when they need additional support without those experiences diminishing their potential.
That is why our work is rooted in dignity, opportunity, empowerment, service, and intentional support.
Life Equip Group has continued to evolve alongside the communities we serve, but the heart of the organization remains the same: to ensure young people know that where they begin does not have to determine where they finish.
We do not simply want young people to participate in programs. We want them to leave better equipped to navigate life, contribute to their communities, pursue education and careers, develop as leaders, and create opportunities for themselves and others.
Our history is ultimately a story of experience transformed into service and barriers transformed into pathways.
And it continues to be guided by the belief upon which Life Equip Group was built
OUR JOURNEY. OUR IMPACT. OUR COMMUNITY
Life Equip Group Inc.
Since 2022, Life Equip Group Inc. (LEG) has been committed to empowering youth and young adults through information, education, resources, service, workforce development, and meaningful community experiences.
What began as a vision to make a difference has continued to grow into a network of programs, partnerships, and initiatives designed to equip young people with the tools, exposure, and opportunities they need to build their futures.
Our progress over the last several years reflects the power of community, collaboration, and consistent investment in the next generation.
OUR IMPACT AT A GLANCE
100+ Students Served
From 2023 to present, approximately 100 young people have been served through our combined LEGcares SYEP and Service-Learning workforce development initiatives.
Through these experiences, participants have had opportunities to strengthen professional skills, develop leadership, engage in community service, gain real-world experience, and explore pathways toward their educational and career goals.
Brown Girls Learn Scholarship Fund
From 2023 to present, our Brown Girls Learn Scholarship Fund (BGLSF) events have welcomed 152 attendees, creating spaces centered around scholarship, empowerment, recognition, networking, and community.
Through 2025, approximately $5,000 +has been raised in support of the initiative.
LEG has also awarded $1,600 in scholarships to two BGLSF scholarship recipients, directly investing in young women pursuing their educational goals.
200+ Children Served
Through our community initiatives and partnerships during 2024-2025, more than 200 children were served through activities focused on giving, resources, engagement, and creating positive experiences for children and families.
Community Baby Shower & Family Resource Day
In 2026, our Community Baby Shower & Family Resource Day welcomed 100 registered participants and brought together community partners and in-kind supporters to connect expecting and parenting families with resources, services, information, and support.
Funding & Organizational Growth
As LEG's programs and reach have expanded, so has our ability to attract financial and community investment.
The organization has secured $11,500 in grant funding, from the Brooklyn Borough President's Office , discretionary funds and our community partners
LEG has also developed a growing network of organizations that have supported our mission through funding, resources, services, in-kind contributions, programming, and community collaboration.
The Power of Partnership
We know that sustainable community impact cannot happen alone.
Throughout our journey, community organizations, government agencies, businesses, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and individual supporters have helped Life Equip Group turn ideas into opportunities.
Our network has included partnerships and support from organizations such as the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Resilient Young Minds, Brooklyn Borough President's Office, Planet Fitness, New York Knicks, New York Islanders, Raising Cane's, Casa De Flora, Book Bodega, and many other community partners.
Every partnership strengthens our ability to reach another young person, support another family, provide another resource, and create another opportunity.
Be Part of What Comes Next
Our work is growing - and so is our vision.
Life Equip Group is continuing to pursue sustainable funding, strengthen community partnerships, expand our donor network, and develop opportunities that respond to the needs of young people and families.
Whether you are a potential program participant, parent, community organization, school, corporate partner, sponsor, donor, or volunteer, there is an opportunity to become part of our work.
PARTNER. SPONSOR. DONATE. VOLUNTEER. PARTICIPATE. COLLABORATE.
Together, we equip.
Together, we empower.
Together, we transform.
Life Equip Group Inc.
Your Success is Designed and Lived by You.
Your generosity is a direct investment in dignity and opportunity. Donations create access to scholarships, camps, and resources that affirm the potential already present in our youth.
Invest Monthly. Change Lives.
Every donation makes room for us to do more. When you give, you’re not just sustaining programs — you’re opening doors for us to serve in new ways, reach more young people, and deepen the resources we offer. Your generosity allows us to grow the impact, expand opportunities, and keep restoring dignity where it’s needed most.
Other Ways to Give (Complete the form)
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One-time gift
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Partnerships or sponsorship
HONORING LEGACY
