Improving the Life Chances of Vulnerable Youth

Dear AES Friends and Family, The past two months have been busy for AES, and we are not slowing down any time soon! Our second Davitto Leadership Academy cohort graduated and was initiated into SYA , the youth action component of AES. Our partnerships with local schools, community colleges, and other nonprofits doing this important work, like the HAWK Institute , continue to grow. And AES participated in our first Big Day of Giving Campaign, which not only brought our organization together, but also helped us to realize how others think about the great work we are doing. Thank you to our volunteers, donors, and partners in this important work! We hope you will join us in this adventure over the next year, changing lives one young person at a time.

- CC Carter, AES Executive Director

DLA Graduates Become SYA-CAT Ambassadors

On May 4th, the second cohort of the Davitto Leadership Academy celebrated completion of their leadership and advocacy training as they were initiated into the Sacramento Youth Alliance-Community Action Team . Graduates presented to their families and community members the skills, confidence, and passion they developed over the past four months. As shared by DLA Program Coordinator Ana, "They spoke their truth to power about police relations, mental health, and education equity, furthering the mission of the Alliance for Education Solutions. I could not have been more proud of both cohorts 1 and 2 for being involved with the DLA because they are the founding mothers and fathers that will pioneer this youth movement towards greatness in the city of Sacramento."

SYA Summer Programs Mix Fun & Civic Engagement

SYA will be hosting bi-monthly summer socials that are both fun and civically engaging. As shared by SYA-CAT Coordinator Erica, "As summer roles around, we understand that youth want to have fun. What better way of doing that than together in the Davitto Leadership Center and our city of Sacramento?" On June 13th, SYA honored students' academic achievements by celebrating those who graduated, advanced a grade, or are beginning community college or college this fall. Future events include a tour of the State Capitol and meeting with legislative staffers, registering youth to vote at the farmers' market, social justice movie night, and learning to cook healthy, low-cost meals. For dates and more information, check out our Upcoming Events section below.

AES and HAWK Expand Their Partnership to Further Support Boys and Men of Color

AES Board members and staff were honored to attend the HAWK Celebration of Excellence on June 8th. As shared by DLA Program Coordinator Ana, "The HAWK Celebration of Excellence demonstrated that there is a true power behind the encouragement of young men and women of color. Dr. G and the entire HAWK Board hosted a very warm celebration that highlighted the successes of their Saturday Leadership Academy, which teaches young people important skills, such as financial literacy, leadership, perseverance, and social justice." AES was humbled by HAWK's acknowledgement of our partnership, including the Breaking the Chains Youth Summit that young leaders from the DLA , SYA-CAT , and the HAWK Institute  hosted in March.

Justice Reinvestment Community Award Will Expand Our Partnership In early May, AES learned that it was awarded the National Boys and Men of Color 2019 Justice Reinvestment Community Award. As shared by AES Executive Director CC, "This opportunity has led to our collaboration with multiple school districts, a UC, 2 state colleges, and 3 community colleges. We have partnered with HAWK to provide a comprehensive mentorship program that will focus on a getting young people ready for the next levels of their lives. We are excited about all of the partners that we are working with and all that this will bring in transforming the lives of young men and boys of color. Stay tuned - this is BIG!"

Thank YOU to Our Volunteers!

AES could not do what it does without the support of our volunteers. As shared by Director of Development Jen, "From Board members, to DLA mentors, to fundraising Dream Team members, AES volunteers are the heart of AES. They give selflessly of their time, energy, and love to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth." Thank you to all of our volunteers! We look forward to celebrating YOU at the Youth Showcase and Volunteer Appreciation Event in October!

Volunteer Spotlight: Gavyn Clasemann-Ryan "Volunteering for AES as a member of the Dream Team to plan for the Sacramento Community Foundation’s Big Day of Giving was an amazing and rewarding experience. The opportunity to work alongside the awesome volunteers and AES staff to raise funds to support AES’ incredibly enriching programs benefiting vulnerable youth of Northern California was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience. I would highly recommend volunteering for AES in any way possible. It is a heartwarming experience you won’t soon forget!" - Gavyn Gavyn is a member of AES' Dream Team fundraising committee, has volunteered to help set up events like the Davitto Leadership Academy graduation, and joined the AES Board of Directors in June. We are so thankful for Gavyn's BIG heart and willingness to go above and beyond to help vulnerable youth. Click HERE to join our Volunteer Team!

Mark Your Calendar for AES' Upcoming Events!

Join Us at the Davitto Leadership Center! June 27th: SYA Capitol Tour and picnic on the Capitol lawn July 10th and 11th: SYA at the Farmer's Market for Voter Registration Days July 25th: SYA Social Justice Movie Night August 8th: SYA Eating Healthy Social Sept. 14th - 15th: DLA Retreat for Cohort #3 Oct 12th: Youth Showcase and Volunteer Appreciation Event at a location TBD Oct. 26th: Men of Chico Conference at CSU, Chico Nov. 2nd: AES Fundraising Gala at the Downtown Hyatt Capitol Room Nov. 9th: Police Town Hall at a location TBD

The above events will take place/begin at the DLC at 1111 H. Street, Suite 205 unless otherwise noted

Thank You to Our Generous Donors for Making Big Day of Giving a Success!

Thank you to all of the #AESHeartHeroes who supported AES' first ever Big Day of Giving (BDOG) campaign on May 2nd! With your generous support, we raised over $41,000 to support vulnerable youth through AES programs. As shared by AES Board Chair Lisa, "We are very excited about the great response to our first BDOG. Not only did our supporters contribute, but a large number of new donors joined the AES family." To our ongoing supporters, thank you for continuing to invest in youth through AES. And to our new donors, welcome to the AES family!

Together we are improving the life chances of vulnerable youth!

Kika Alexander Erica Amaya Eddie Bankston Joanna Bautista E Lia Bolden Derrick Booth Jake Brymner Drew Calandrella Rebekah Carlson Midori Carter Marcus Carter Charles Carter Cynthia Carter Anthony Carter Bertha Carter Jeremy Carter Gavyn Clasemann-Ryan Vanessa Coates Denise Crosswhite Csilla Csaplar Fred Cunha Bernard Davitto Sheila Davitto Herman Ellis Erica Flores

Kathy Foster Lisa Foster Robin Frazier Georgiana Furnish Steve Goldstein Jessica Gutierrez Jennifer Halford Regina Hobie Amy Hormann Abby Hurt Stephen Irving Matthew Jackson Susan Jarquin Deanna Jarquin Kaitlyn Kaesebier Coretta King Sharleen Krater Orissa Kruse Ajamu Lamumba Rocio Leal Mallory Mackey Eugene Masuda Michelle McDonald Matthew McKay Cindy Nakoski

Ann Navarro Sylvia Nelson Citlalli Ogunnaike Katie Peterson Stephanie Rahlfs Blanca Rebuelta Thursday Roberts Susan Ryan Mary K. Ryan Chio Saeyang Sima Sheehan Wendy Sigerson Simpson University Voleah Taing Leisiliva Tanaki Ana Taukolo Kapani Taukolo Celeste Teters Koua Thao Maikhou Thao Dee Thao Nan Timmons Susan Twining Jasdeep Uppal Amalia Vidauri

And a Heartfelt Thank You to Those Who Invested in the Lives of Vulnerable Youth in Honor of Others: Sharleen Krater in Honor of Tate Meintjes (#RideforTate) Ajamu Lamumba in Honor of Jasmine Carol Lamumba Eugene Masuda in Honor of Patricia Masuda Celeste Teters in Honor of Ruth McCabe Farmer and William Sean Teters Dee Thao in Honor of Chue Hue Thao

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