Improving the Life Chances of Vulnerable Youth

Dear AES Friends and Family, There is much to be excited about this fall! We have a new look: We are proud and excited to share with you our new logo - Alianza . It celebrates the values that led to the creation of AES 27 years ago and that continue to guide the work we do to help vulnerable youth. We are empowering more youth: The recently launched Davitto Leadership Academy (DLA) teaches youth leadership and advocacy skills to change their lives and community. We are growing through the support of our community: New members have joined our Board of Directors - welcome Deanna Jarquin, Dr. Derrick Booth, and Noel Mora! American River College will be hosting our DLA program so young people see greater hope and possibilities for their future as they step on campus. Members of our community are volunteering their time to serve on our DLA Advisory Board, and generous people from across our community have donated to support AES' work. We humbly thank you for joining us in this important work. Please read on to learn more. Together, we make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth!

Meet Alianza - AES' New "Look"

Click the video above to learn more about Alianza!

AES is Proud to Announce Our New Logo, Alianza! Since AES was founded, our core values have helped us change the lives of vulnerable youth in the Sacramento area. We wanted to celebrate those values by giving AES a new "look." As shared by Skyla Smith, our Marketing and Visual Design Consultant, "Alianza is the name of our new symbol, and it was created to celebrate the support we provide young people, the relationships we build, and the alliances we continue to form."

The Davitto Leadership Academy Has Launched

The Davitto Leadership Academy (DLA) is underway! This fall, the DLA will provide leadership and advocacy training to 40 youth in the Sacramento area who want to make a positive difference in their community. Each participant is matched with a youth Peer Mentor and a member of our DLA Advisory Board to receive support and mentorship.

Meet the DLA Peer Mentors Eight young leaders have been selected and trained to serve as Peer Mentors. As shared by Ana Taukolo, DLA Program Coordinator, “Our peer mentors are excited, empowered, and ready to transform the lives of DLA participants.”

Meet the DLA Advisory Board Twenty community volunteers will serve on the DLA Advisory Board. Board members recently attended a training to learn how to foster cross-cultural and cross-generational relationships with DLA participants.

SYA-CAT Engages Other Youth Organizations

In July, our Sacramento Youth Alliance Community Action Team (SYA CAT) hosted an event for 15 Sacramento-area nonprofits and city representatives that work directly with youth. Lashon Amado, the National Community Action Team Coordinator for Opportunity Youth United (OYU) , shared the work OYU and our SYA CAT have done since 2016. Many in attendance committed to encouraging the young people they work with to join our SYA CAT. As said by Taylor Buck, our SYA CAT Coordinator, "imagine the power of youth from across Sacramento coming together to make change in our community!"

Thanks to YOU: 29 Youth Will Be Empowered!

This August, AES launched its first ever fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1875 to provide 15 graduates of the Davitto Leadership Academy with a $125 clothing gift card. The clothing gift card will allow graduates to purchase professional clothing to wear for their final presentations and future job interviews. Board Chair Lisa Foster described our campaign, "For me, a big deal was our recent Gift Card Campaign - our very first fundraiser - that exceeded all expectations. Friends and family came through for our young people and became new supporters. AES, and our AES family, is growing in all sorts of ways."

We Almost Doubled Our Original Goal! $3651 was raised  29 young people will receive a $125 gift card

A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors who gave to our DLA Gift Card Campaign!

Kika Alexander Sylvia Allen Eddie Bankston Jennifer Bianchi Derrick Booth Tom Bucci Ellen Buchanan Drew Calandrella Linda Campbell CC Carter Bertha Carter Theo Claire Gavyn Clasemann-Ryan Beth Costello Bill Dendle Claudia Duffield Herman Ellis

Erica Flores Lisa Foster Kathy Foster Tonya Gida Jen Halford Janeil Harris Abby Hurt Deanna Jarquin Luis Jimenez Douglas Johnson Stephan Jonas Richard Jonas Sharleen Krater Meleane Langi Rocio Leal Amy Liebgott Mallory Mackey

Peter Martinez James Moon Noel Mora Pam Munter Ellen Nakata-Harper Dara Oliver Michael Pratt Dustin Reese Silia Robinson Susan Ryan Kay Ryan Skyla Smith Ana Taukolo Kapan iTaukolo Vic Trujillo Jarod Wilson

Your Support Positively Impacts Young People

I am involved with SYA to create more opportunities for all young people so that they can succeed regardless of where they come from. - Jacie McCalister, CSU, Sacramento student, SYA, and DLA Peer Mentor Pipeline is the bridge that connects youth and their dreams for success. It taught me to use my voice and recognize the strength within myself. - Samuel Akinwande, CSU, Chico student and Pipeline Mentor

Donate While Shopping

Give to AES Without Spending More Money! We are excited to share that AES is now registered with AmazonSmile. Just click on this AmazonSmile logo: It will take you to AmazonSmile, where you can designate AES as the recipient of Amazon's donations. Each time you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to AES at no extra cost to you!

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