Date: January 3, 2025
By: Rahim Yusuf-Mortley

Since 2012, Lifted by Purpose (LBP) has been transforming lives and providing impactful experiences for over 5,000 people. Through innovative programs, events, training, and resources, LBP blends the arts with evidence-based strategies to create trauma-informed spaces and supports across different sectors where individuals can heal, grow, and connect.

Founded by Arifah Yusuf, initiatives like Tattoo Stories, Lifted Thursdays, and Project TakeOff reflect LBP’s commitment to mental health, resilience, and meaningful connection.

To learn more about the driving force behind LBP, we sat down with its founder to uncover the purpose, vision, and impact of this inspiring organization.

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: Lifted by Purpose has made such an impact since its inception. Let’s dive right in. What inspired you to start Lifted by Purpose, and what shaped your vision for it?

Arifah Yusuf: LBP was inspired by a need to address trauma and a lack of support. Many individuals, particularly those facing mental health challenges or navigating difficult life circumstances, often struggle to access safe, inclusive spaces where they can express themselves and feel truly understood. Traditional systems of care don’t always provide the creative, community-driven approaches that help people heal holistically. My personal and professional experiences showed me how powerful storytelling through the arts could be for healing and connection.

For example, during the Tattoo Stories exhibit, I saw people share their journeys in ways that supported their own healing, reduced stigma, and built empathy. Programs like Lifted Thursdays, which foster heart coherence and openness through music and therapeutic techniques, promote individual and collective healing.

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: What’s the purpose of Lifted by Purpose, and how does it shape your work?

Arifah Yusuf: Our purpose is to create trauma-informed spaces where people feel supported and empowered. Programs like Project TakeOff help participants build personal and professional skills, while our workshops focus on self-discovery, mental health education, cultivating empathy, and MHFA training, equipping people to support themselves and their communities.

Our work is also shaped by the voices of our supporters, participants, and alumni, who inspire and contribute to the evolution of our purpose-driven work. Their lived experiences, feedback, and commitment ensure our approach remains inclusive, impactful, and community-driven.

As one participant put it:
“I always rave about my experience at LBP. It gave me tools and a supportive space I didn’t even know I needed. Lifted is a place you get poured back into.”

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: What does LBP do best, and what impact has it made?

Arifah Yusuf: We excel in program development that fosters empathy, healing, and meaningful connection. For instance, Tattoo Stories provided a platform through the arts for individuals to share deeply personal experiences, aiding others in understanding mental health better. Our MHFA training equips participants to recognize and support individuals facing mental health challenges, strengthening community care. Our trauma-informed approach ensures these programs create meaningful impacts across sectors, from schools to workplaces and community organizations.

Through empathy and meaningful engagement, we connect individuals and communities, inspiring growth and mutual understanding.

As one participant noted:
“By providing real-world and first-hand experiences, the instructor brought the material out of the text to ensure that we, as workers, could understand within our lens of practice.”

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: What challenges have you faced while building Lifted by Purpose, and how have those experiences shaped your purpose?

Arifah Yusuf: Starting Lifted by Purpose part-time in 2012 was a balancing act for many years. Grant writing was one of the biggest hurdles—my first two attempts were unsuccessful. On the third try, we secured more funding than expected, which gave us the momentum to move forward. But not having core funding for operational costs and staffing was another significant challenge.

That’s where innovation became our strength. I’m incredibly grateful for our team, alumni, and supporters who believed in what we were doing and showed up for us in so many ways. Their trust and dedication kept us going through the toughest times.

Those early experiences taught me to build relationships, earn trust, and deliver on our promises, helping us establish a strong reputation. Running Lifted full-time now is a blessing, but staying sustainable requires strategy, creativity, and knowing when to pause and recalibrate—because pressure makes diamonds, right? Every challenge has shaped our purpose, and it’s all part of the story we continue to write.

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: Lifted by Purpose has been involved in a variety of programs and initiatives. How do you determine what projects to focus on?

Arifah Yusuf: Our projects and initiatives are guided by the needs of the communities we serve. We listen to our dreams and feedback from participants, alumni, and supporters to identify gaps and opportunities. For example, programs like Lifted Thursdays and Project TakeOff were developed after recognizing the need for spaces that encourage personal growth, skill-building, and emotional healing. We remain flexible and adaptive, ensuring our projects address both immediate and long-term community needs.

By staying rooted in collaboration and open dialogue, we’re able to co-create programs that reflect the diverse experiences of those we serve.

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley: What advice would you give to someone comparing themselves to others?

Arifah Yusuf: Don’t watch what others are doing—it only distracts you from your own uniqueness. Focus on being curious, staying true to yourself, and living your purpose. That’s what sets you apart and inspires others. At Lifted by Purpose, our guiding principle is: When you know your why, everything else falls into place.

Rahim Yusuf-Mortley:

Lifted by Purpose, founded by Arifah Yusuf, continues to inspire communities through its trauma-informed spaces and innovative programs. By helping individuals find their purpose and fostering meaningful connections, LBP is transforming lives and creating impact. To learn more, visit Lifted by Purpose and follow @liftedbypurpose