Ten years ago, Defeat the Streets began in New York City with a simple idea: to roll up our sleeves and help anywhere, everywhere, and in any way we could.

Today, that vision has expanded across five states. Along the way, our journey has led us to some of the most exciting initiatives in our history—all centered around empowering young people to recognize the positive difference they can make in their own lives, in the lives of others, and in the communities they call home.

This edition of Inside Defeat the Streets is simply an opportunity to say hello.

We’d like to introduce you to some of the people behind our work and share a little about who we are, what inspires us, and why we believe so deeply in the extraordinary potential of young people to change the world.

While we’re not quite ready to share everything just yet, we’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead. The next chapter of our journey has been shaped by nearly a decade of serving others, listening carefully, learning continuously, and discovering where we believe we can make our greatest contribution. We can’t wait to share it with you.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to get to know us. We hope this conversation gives you a sense of the heart behind Defeat the Streets—and leaves you as excited as we are for what’s to come.