Improving the Life Chances of Vulnerable Youth

Dear AES Friends and Family, Join us as we celebrate 27 years: This year AES turns 27! Join us as we celebrate 27 years of youth empowerment, volunteers making a difference in the lives of young people, and donors investing in youth through AES programs. Hear the Stories of the past 27 years: Each day leading up to Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27th, we will share the #MyAESstory of a young person, volunteer, or donor who is a part of our AES family. Follow AES on social media to hear 27 inspiring stories. Participate in our first ever Giving Tuesday Campaign: After 27 years of quietly seeking funding and grants, AES is going public with our first Giving Tuesday Campaign. Join us and help to expand AES' programs to reach more young people. Here's to 27 years of improving the life chances of vulnerable youth! But we are just getting started...Join us - Together we can empower young people.

Giving Tuesday: #What'sYourAESstory?

Join us on social media to celebrate 27 days of AES stories! ‌ ‌ ‌ And define your AES Story in our first ever Giving Tuesday Campaign! This November, we are encouraging our friends and family to define their AES stories. Maybe you are a young person looking to get more involved ? Maybe you want to volunteer your time to make a difference in the lives of young people? Or maybe you want to invest in the lives of vulnerable youth ?  This month, we invite you to define your AES story. So join us! And let us know, #What'sYourAESstory?

DLA Provides Hope and Leadership Skills

The first cohort of the Davitto Leadership Academy shows that young people can positively impact the world!

In early October, the first cohort of young people completed level 1 of the DLA. Participants connected with each other, DLA Peer Mentors, and Advisory Board mentors. They built a foundation of trust and support that they will continue to build upon as they progress through the next two levels together. As shared by one participant, "I was able to be vulnerable and open myself up to people I hardly knew." Level 2 began in late October and continues through the first weekend in December. Participants are learning and putting into action key leadership and advocacy skills. They have been matched with a member of our DLA Advisory Board to receive direct support and mentorship as they create a plan to address a community issue that they are passionate about changing. Read more about the DLA on AES' blog  and visit our website to learn more about the next cohort in spring 2019! Ready to join the DLA family now? (click the buttons below to sign-up for our Spring 2019 cohort)

Young People: Join the next DLA cohort

Adult Volunteers: Be an Advisory Board Mentor!

SYA Empowers Youth Voice

In September, our Sacramento Youth Alliance - Community Action Team (SYA) hosted a kickoff event to encourage young people to take action in our community. The event brought together young people and adult allies from across Sacramento. On the first day, attendees were welcomed into the AES family and bonded with the SYA peer mentors. The next day, attendees practiced valuable advocacy skills, including completing a city asset mapping workshop, a local policy simulator game, and a "Why Your Vote Matters" social media contest. R ead more about the SYA Kickoff on AES's blo g . SYA followed up its kickoff event with a workshop on Oct. 25th. SYA members shared how the city of Sacramento has previously invested in youth and how future campaigns can increase that investment. The workshop was a great opportunity for youth to provide their perspective about local funding policy and ensure youth voice is promoted in our city!

AES Scholarship Fund Expands By $35,000!

AES has a strong history of helping youth in its programs who are facing financial challenges. For the last 27 years, AES has provided emergency funds for rent, books, and tuition. But thanks to a generous donor, AES is able to expand its support for young people in need! As shared by CC Carter, Executive Director, "This $35,000 donation will allow us to provide AES-affiliated young people with scholarships to fulfill their dreams." This funding will support young people who are moving projects forward that align with AES' values, like the Davitto Leadership Academy Level 3 Scholarship Challenge. AES will also expand scholarships for tuition and continue to help AES participants needing emergency support.

Thank You to Our Generous Donors

Thank YOU to our New and Recurring Donors! Sylvia Allen Charles Carter Bernie Davitto Sylvia Nelson Kay Ryan Kapani Taukolo

Your Support Positively Impacts Young People

I am involved in SYA because I was inspired by the passion of the young people involved in the 2nd Youth Town Hall. I'm glad to be a part of such a close-knit community and SYA's efforts. - Sophie Vang, Valley High School, Sacramento Youth Alliance member The Davitto Leadership Academy has taught me that as long as I am determined and have the will, I can do anything. - Encina High school student, Davitto Leadership Academy participant

Get Connected - Stay Connected!

‌ ‌ ‌

Want to know what is happening with AES in-between newsletters? Follow our social media and our new AES blog  to stay up to date. Just click the photo and icons to the left to get connected!

Give While You Shop

Oct. 29th-Nov. 2nd, AmazonSmile will Donate more to AES! Back to school shopping, holiday shopping, Black Friday, Cyber Monday - there are so many opportunities to give to AES without spending any money! Just click on the AmazonSmile logo above and designate AES as the recipient of Amazon's donations. Each time you shop through Amaz onSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to AES at no extra cost to you! And from now until Nov. 2nd, AmazonSmile will increase the donation rate on all eligible purchases. Sounds like a great reason to shop!

‌ ‌ ‌