Happy Holidays!
As the year draws to a close, it's time to reflect and be thankful for all we have and for everyone we call family, including our Access family!
Monthly Community Service Update
The Hunger Project
During the month of December, Access Youth Academy students volunteered at The Hunger Project in downtown San Diego. For over 30 years, Beth Israel’s San Diego Hunger Project has relied upon volunteers to help serve lunch to hundreds of San Diego’s homeless and hungry on Sunday mornings at St. Vincent de Paul Village. On the day of their visit, Access students helped serve over 440 hot meals! Some of our students worked behind the kitchen line placing food on trays, some worked the drink station, some handed out condiments and utensils, and others served hot lunch to handicapped clients and helped keep the eating area clean. As always, it was one of our most memorable community service events of the year. We left feeling immense gratitude for all that we have in our lives, especially during this holiday season. 
Seniors Submit College Applications!
November was a big month for the seniors! They have officially submitted their applications to University of California schools and California State Universities. All nine of our seniors have worked tirelessly to write and edit their personal essays and applications. Submitting these applications provides great momentum for them as they continue on their pursuit of a college education. This is a busy time of year for the seniors and we are proud of their hard work! 
Thank You to our Donors

This month Access students and staff would like to
send our special thanks to
Price Philanthropies & The Theodore Cross Family Foundation
Because of you, students are being lifted from some of San Diego's poorest neighborhoods to top-rated universities and beyond!

Thank You!
Gala Reminder - Save the Date!
S D G & E
Access Youth Academy has partnered with SDG&E. Several times throughout the year we will provide articles and tips to help decrease energy usage and increase savings on your utility bills!

Keep holiday light decorating safe, ENERGY-efficient, festive and fun
People love lighting up their homes for the holidays – whether it’s inside your home along the fireplace, or on your front lawn decorating your trees and bushes. What most people don’t love is the increase in their electricity bill after all the holiday cheer and lights are gone.

Here are some ways to be energy-efficient this holiday season:

1. Make smart lighting choices - LED holiday lights are the way to go! They use up to 80% less energy, are brighter and safer, as they are much cooler than incandescent lights. They’re easier to install—up to 24 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. They last ten times longer and have no filaments or glass to break.

2. Limit usage of energy - Set timers for lights to turn on and off automatically. Keep light displays on during the evening and turn them off overnight. Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and off in the middle of the night. You can save more by keeping light displays on only 8 hours of the evening (when you can see them).
3. Get reflective - Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the effects of your lighting without using more energy. Be sure to keep tinsel away from pets, though. Reflective ornaments and tinsel are just as bright at night, so getting creative with your lighting display can multiply your resources for shine. Don't forget the ribbons, wreaths, garland, and reflective menorahs, for electricity- free age-old traditions still bring holiday cheer.