Bill’s Word: AEF Making a Difference!

Dear Friend,

Tom* was having trouble convincing his middle school aged son John* that focusing on his studies was important, but when John had to miss the opening basketball game of the Alameda Education Foundation’s Middle School Sports program due to poor grades, it sunk in. The Foundation’s coaches and athletic director put together a plan to enable John to get his grades up and keep playing. Not only did John make the grades to complete the basketball season, he has kept his grades up ever since. John considers the point he scored in the basketball championships to be the happiest sports moment of his life. And his dad considers our Middle School Sports program “instrumental in helping me show John how important grades are in school and in life.”

Ruth* thanked us for enabling her daughter to participate in one of our Enrichment summer camps (a cooking camp) on scholarship. “Julie* had a wonderful time that week and I was stunned by the food she brought home. I really appreciate all the help we got this summer. Hopefully life will continue to improve but I’m grateful that the kids had such a wonderful summer thanks to people and organizations like you.”

The Alameda Education Foundation offers Alameda K – 12 public school students the opportunities to learn and grow academically, athletically, creatively and socially. Our focus on equity and innovation helps improve the quality and variety of educational opportunities for Alameda’s 10,000+ students.

Our Adopt A Classroom program has already generated $56,000 this year for 112 classroom teachers. We give 100% of each $500 Adopt A Classroom donation to teachers, absorbing all administrative costs. Teachers have purchased musical instruments, books and technology with the funds and tell us how appreciative they are of having the flexibility and freedom on how to spend the funds.

Over 500 student-athletes are playing sports and learning about the importance of doing well in the classroom through our year-round after school Middle School Sports program. Close to 4500 students participated in after school and summer camp Enrichment classes and programs last year. Over $17,000 in scholarships were given to Sports and Enrichment participants.

We have launched a Counseling component to our Enrichment program that includes Incoming Freshman Information Nights and Sophomore Counseling with students and their parents to help ensure that students start and stay on track for high school graduation and post-graduation plans. This spring we will offer College Finances 101 information sessions to help families make informed decisions about college expenses and financial packages. All of these Counseling programs are free for students and families.

This summer we plan to launch High School Credit Classes, a program that was lost several years ago due to State budget shortfalls. We will also collaborate again with other Alameda organizations to run a community wide school supply drive, Equipped 4 Success, to provide backpacks filled with school supplies for Alameda’s low-income students.

Now I’m asking for your help as we continue to grow these valuable programs for Alameda students across the Island. Your support enables us to focus our time and energy on developing and growing programs that enhance learning opportunities for our students and help keep our Alameda schools strong and thriving.

Your contribution helps students like John learn the value of education while building pride in his sports accomplishments and enables students like Julie to participate in enrichment learning opportunities that would otherwise not be experienced. In fact, your contribution will make an impact on thousands of Alameda public school students. Please consider a year-end tax-deductible donation today and join us in “Supporting Student Success“!

With gratitude,

Bill Sonneman, President