“An idle mind can be very dangerous, at any age. When a youth has no vision or focused goals he/she may think or say things that are not positive or productive. At Highest Thoughts we positively impact people before they venture down any negative roads.”
Youth have a need for structure, and guidance. As we see in everyday news, youth are gravitating
towards negativity, including, street violence, gangs, cyber bullying, drug use, human trafficking, etc.
Statistics show us that many of these offenses are happening by youth at an earlier age than previous
generations. Our program was created to offer an alternative to a negative lifestyle. Many of our mentors
can speak from firsthand experiences of the negativity of not having structure. Our proven curriculum
helps to prevent negative activities and foster growth within.
Our thoughts are our most precious commodity. Nothing that we have is more important than our thoughts. We must protect them. We must guard them. We must make sure that nothing invades them from a negative perspective, or cloud our vision. Our thoughts are who we really are in essence. We must always be on guard from negative influences. Whether it’s from a person, a place, or a thing. It’s like saying, think about what you’re thinking. When we make a decision or a choice, we must be sure that we’re doing it from the right perspective, and with the right motive. And that we seek all the best information that we can, so that we can make an informed decision. A positive decision, a decision that will give us the results that we want. But our decision should be based on the betterment of ourselves, the betterment of people, the betterment of our community, and
the betterment of the world. We want to be pure in our thoughts. For the most part, what we think of is what we get. We usually will channel all our energy into following our thoughts.
So in summary, how important are our thoughts. They are the true essence of who we are. As one think, so are they.
Philip Erby
Founder
Philip Erby, Jr. is a dedicated mentor and advocate with a profound commitment to working with troubled youth. With extensive experience in community outreach and violence prevention, Phil has spent over 5 years addressing the critical issues of gun violence among young people. Specializing in mentorship programs, Phil has developed and implemented strategies aimed at reducing youth gun possession and shootings, providing at-risk youth with the support and resources they need to make positive life choices.
Phil has collaborated with various community organizations, law enforcement agencies, local politicians and educational institutions to create comprehensive prevention programs that focus on education, intervention, and support. Through tailored mentorship, Phil helps young individuals build self-esteem, develop conflict resolution skills, and find constructive outlets for their energy and emotions.
A passionate advocate for change, Phil believes in the power of early intervention and the importance of creating safe spaces for youth to express themselves and grow. By fostering trusting relationships and providing guidance, Phil works tirelessly to steer young people away from the path of violence and towards a future full of potential and promise.
Daniel Haynes
Mentor
Meet Daniel Shaw-Haynes, hospital & school liaison and a beacon of hope at the Stand Up to Violence Program within Jacobi Medical Center. In his pivotal role, Daniel bridges the gap between healthcare and education, offering a guiding hand to those touched by violence. His dedication isn't just a job; it's a calling. With a wealth of experience in counseling, Daniel stands as a pillar of support, guiding individuals through their darkest moments towards a brighter path.
NYC
HEALTH+ HOSPITALS
Jacobi
Daniel's approach is holistic, engaging participants in a variety of activities from group discussions to educational workshops and field trips. These aren't just tasks but tools, each carefully chosen to foster self-discovery and understanding of the world's complexities.
His work extends beyond the individual, reaching families and communities, nurturing relationships that form the bedrock of healing and growth.
Jonathan Kimble
Mentor
Who is Jonathan Kimble?
I am an advocate for humanity! My career has been focused on helping others. I’m a devoted Husband and Father. Urban Community Chaplain with the United Chaplain State of New York, registered with the 43rd precinct in the Bronx. Where I’ve mentored and worked with new officers. In means to help them better deal with the cultural diversities they face in the urban communities. I have worked as Youth Specialist, Community Advocate, Counselor, Outreach and is an active member on several community boards in the Soundview section of the Bronx. I have advocated for the right to vote for ex-felons on Presidential hopefully Bernie Sander campaign. Jonathan has over 16 years of experience mentoring, and counseling incarcerated, paroled and at-risk youth, men, and women.
I wasted a lot of time due to emotions overpowering and overwhelming me for years. Abuse I suffered as a young teen at the hands of a trusted family member shape my life for the next few years. For the abuse to stop I turned to the streets. From ages 16-23 I was in and out of jail and prison for possessing and dealing drugs. I wasn’t until I got shot in my neighborhood that I realized the change starts with me. Changing my reality by getting therapy, working out and channeling my energies into helping others. And it wasn’t easy. While going through this metamorphosis I lost my biological father and brother to covid. 30 days apart. Had to push through again. And I did, with the help of my family. Now, at 41 yrs. old, I believe my job on this planet is to help people. And how I do that is showing people their own light. Now, I’m a husband, Father of 5 children, a violence interrupter out of Jacobi Hospital where I work to reduce gun violence in my Soundview community. I’ve started a web series called “BNT”, where we give flowers to people who have overcome life’s obstacles and are currently doing work to help others. I’ve also started my own community-based organization called, “Blazing New Trails”: Addressing our issues.
