Our programming focuses on creating connections between people, neighborhoods, and cultures in order to highlight their similarities rather than their differences. We provide opportunities for individuals to find their voice by using science, technology, engineering, art, and math to create connections, build creative confidence, and inspire them to be confident drivers of educational excellence.
Our History
About Us
Our Mission
Enriching educational experiences of underserved students through project-based learning.
Our Vision
Empowering youth to reach their potential by offering engaging educational opportunities rooted in arts and culture.
Our History
Alum Rock District administrators, staff, friends, parents, and alumni founded the Alum Rock Educational Foundation in 1999 in order to improve, enhance and advance the education of Alum Rock students. At that time the foundation was the only non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated solely to enriching the educational experiences of the students and families of Alum Rock.
In 2018, AREF changed its name to Alliance for Youth Achievement (AYA) to better reflect our programming and services for the youth and families in our community. While our name has changed our target audience has not, and we remain committed to serving the Alum Rock School District community, as well as other youth in East San José. Since its inception, we have raised over $3 million to enrich the educational experiences of our youth.
Past projects have included:
- Funding support for homework centers.
- Over $30,000 raised to purchase sports uniforms for middle school students.
- Served as fiscal agent and operating manager for the Even Start program (funded by CA Dept of Ed and Federal grants).
- Implemented a Family Literacy Program that included ESL classes for parents and kindergarten readiness for pre-school children. The program was supported through a collaboration with Eastside Union High School District and Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (funded by CA Dept of Ed and Federal grants).
- Beginning in 2004, we served as the Fiscal Agent for the Alum Rock Jazz Program, helping them raise almost $200,000 to fund their after-school music and summer programs. In 2021 we supported their transition to the Alum Rock Jazz Foundation, a Non-profit, 501(c)(3) Federal Exempt organization.
- In 2013, the Alum Rock School District eliminated the Alum Rock Mariachi Program due to budget constraints. We became the Fiscal Agent for the program to assist in raising funds to keep the program operating. To insure the program would continue to serve Alum Rock students, we negotiated ongoing District support for the program and entered into a contract with the District to implement the program in 2013. In July 2016, the District reinstated the program into its regular budget.
- In 2014 we became the Fiscal Agent for the Alum Rock Music Boosters, who collectively work with the ARUSD Music Programs to raise funds to support their programs. To date we have helped them to raise almost $70,000.
- In 2016 we became the Fiscal Agent for East Side Community Arts (ESCA). ESCA was founded in 2012 by ARUSD teachers who wanted to provide a high quality Arts Enrichment Summer Program for youth in East San José. To date we have helped them to raise almost $220,000.
- We also provide fiscal sponsorship for short term educational projects implemented in our community with schools, artists and other entities including $10,000 for Mathson Middle School, and over $40,000 for multiple projects with Okada Design.
AYA continues to work collaboratively with the local school district, libraries, non-profits, artists/arts educators, and other organizations to develop, design, and implement high quality educational enrichment programs to meet the needs of the youth and families in East San José.