Keeping 20 high-risk youth out of prison for 10 years will save society $4.4 million.
Our Story
In 1993, Tyrone Flowers was completing his practicum at McCune School for Boys, Jackson County Family Court Services’ largest secured residential facility. At McCune, Flowers worked with high-risk youth in the same unit where he had been incarcerated in 1986. At that time, the atmosphere was one of hopelessness and low expectations for the future. The experience touched Flowers’ heart and changed his life.
Because of his overflowing passion for these misunderstood, high-risk youth, Flowers envisioned making a difference in their lives. He shared an inspirational chemistry with them, and McCune staff soon realized that he was very effective in relating to them. It wasn’t long before Flowers realized his mission in life: to help high-risk youth overcome the obstacles they face and turn the obstacles into opportunities. That passion and vision, along with guidance from Dr. Steve Houpe, Pastor of Harvest Church, and an unwavering faith, led to the creation of Higher M-Pact.
Shortly after meeting his wife, Renee, they began their lifelong commitment to serving high-risk urban youth. Together the Flowerses ascertained that a tremendous void existed in the availability and quality of programs and services for them. This understanding was derived from personal experience, careful study of the juvenile justice and educational systems, and through volunteering and observing various youth-oriented community organizations. After Flowers received his juris doctorate and Renee her master’s degree in mathematics education, the couple dedicated their lives to Higher M-Pact. Formerly known as SERVANT programs, Higher M-Pact was founded in 1993, incorporated in 1998, and formally launched full-time in 2003.