From chronic exposure to varying levels of violence, substance abuse, family erosion, cultural discrimination, employment instability, chronic diseases, crime, suicide, incarceration, and reduced access to quality education and treatment - children in rural and low-income communities are forced to normalize an overwhelming number of traumatic stressors, and often endure a lifetime of associated hardships due to inadequate support.  Raised in rural South Carolina, Neka Alston, Founder of Beyond Now Foundation, experienced each of these childhood traumas and the associated burdens that traveled along with her into every stage of life.  

In partnership with parents and schools, the goal of Beyond Now Foundation is to encourage a love of learning, inspire compassionate communities, and to advocate for innovative pathways that equip marginalized students with "REAL" opportunities for long-term success.