TogetherWe Lift.
Elevating youth mental health through education, support, and community. Because every young person deserves to be heard.
5
Core Programs
Prevention
7–18
Ages Served
Early Support
500+
Youth to Reach
Community
25+
School Partners
Rise Together
You're not
alone.
MacLift Foundation was founded by two close friends from different walks of life — Toya from Texas and McCahl from Hawaii. Different upbringings. Different paths. But one shared purpose: to address the silent crisis of youth mental health.
United by purpose and passion, they created MacLift Foundation to inspire young minds, support mental wellness, and build a future full of hope.
Our Full Story
Founded
Two Lives. One Mission.
Mental Wellness Programs
for Youth
Every program is designed to meet young people where they are — and lift them to where they deserve to be.
Prevention Workshops
Equipping students with skills to manage stress, anxiety, and life's challenges before they escalate.
Early Support Services
Connecting youth to counselors, mentors, and early intervention resources when they need it most.
Community Partnerships
Collaborating with schools, families, and local leaders to build stronger support systems.
Youth Leadership
Developing tomorrow's leaders through mentorship, confidence building, and empowerment.
Why Choose MacLift
We don't just talk about youth mental health — we build the programs, partnerships, and community to change it.
Explore ProgramsEvidence-Based
Every program is built on proven mental health frameworks, adapted for youth ages 7–18.
Peer Mentors
Youth-to-youth connections create trust that traditional programs can't replicate.
Compassion-First
We lead with empathy. Every interaction is rooted in genuine care.
In the Community
Programs delivered directly in schools and community centers.
Culturally Responsive
Honoring diverse backgrounds so every young person feels seen.
Measurable Impact
We track outcomes and continuously improve for real, lasting results.
Watch the Story
1 in 3 young people in California are struggling with mental health challenges right now.
MacLift Foundation is here to change that — one young life at a time. You're not alone.
1 in 3
Youth struggling with mental health
Help Us
Reach Our Goal
We're building a future where every young person has the support they need to rise, heal, and thrive — and we need your help to get there.
Help Us Get There500+
Students to Reach
25+
School Partners
1,000+
Workshops to Deliver
100%
Heart & Purpose
What People Are Saying
“MacLift gave me the courage to talk about what I was going through. For the first time, I didn't feel alone.”
Jaylen, Age 16
Program Participant
“Watching my daughter open up and find her voice through the mentoring program was life-changing for our whole family.”
Maria S.
Parent
“The workshops MacLift brought to our school created a shift in how students support each other. The impact is real.”
Dr. Angela Thompson
School Counselor
Two Lives. One Mission.
The Founders
MacLift Foundation was created by two close friends from different walks of life — Toya Thornton and McCahl Hawkins — united by one shared purpose: to help young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to ask for help without shame.
McCahl Hawkins · Co-Founder
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Tacoma, Washington, McCahl's journey began with a deeply personal understanding of what it means to struggle in silence. Growing up, she carried the emotional weight of bullying, low self-esteem, and self-doubt — seasons where she questioned her own worth and purpose.
With the steady support of her parents, she learned to turn pain into purpose. That purpose became MacLift Foundation — a movement rooted in one simple belief: every young person deserves to know their life has value.
Toya Thornton · Co-Founder
Born in Austin, Texas, and shaped by a life that has taken her across the globe, Toya brings a uniquely worldly perspective to the mission. Her diverse experiences across cultures and communities deepened her understanding of the universal challenges young people face — and the universal need for compassion.
Toya brings heart, leadership, and strategy to MacLift — building the structure, partnerships, and community connections that ensure young people have access to the resources, mentorship, and support systems that make healing possible.
McCahl Hawkins
Co-Founder
Toya Thornton
Co-Founder
Moments & Impact
Diverse youth wellness workshop in action
Diverse group of teens standing together in unity
Peer mentoring session with diverse teens
Grief and healing support circle
Youth leadership and confidence building
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Real stories, community highlights, program updates, and mental health resources for youth — all in one place.
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Whether you donate, volunteer, mentor, or simply spread the word — you become part of the MacLift family. Together, we lift more lives.
MacLift Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Stay connected with our latest stories, impact updates, and ways to get involved. Together, we lift more lives.
Contact Us
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