Let’s Change a Life Together

Dear Friend,

Eighth grader Jason wanted to try out for his middle school’s volleyball team this fall, but the coach was reticent.  The prior year, Jason had a poor attitude and received grades far below the team’s minimum grade point average of a C+.  But Jason was insistent, telling the coach he wanted to turn his life around and make his mother proud of him.  The coach gave him a chance and worked with school administrators to get him academic support.  Jason went to every practice, respected the coach, and tried his best.  His grades went from D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s. Jason’s mother attended one of the first matches even though she had just been released from the hospital. The coach put Jason in, and he played his heart out while tears of joy streamed down his mother’s face.  Through participation in AEF’s Middle School Sports program, with its academic and behavioral guidelines, Jason has learned he has what it takes to be successful.  And he has definitely made his mother proud.

AEF runs academic and athletic programs that provide opportunities for students to learn, not just about sports or science or art, but about themselves.  When you give to AEF, you help Alameda students discover new interests and abilities and, sometimes, turn their lives around.

AEF manages and supports hundreds of educational programs such as our middle school sports league, after school enrichment classes, summer camps, robotics, and visual and performing arts.  Last spring we launched our college prep academy, including college test prep classes, personal statement workshops and financial literacy seminars, to help students who are historically underrepresented in college.  This fall we began a two-year visual and literary arts exhibit featuring student work from across the island.

Each summer we manage the annual Equipped 4 Success community school supply drive, providing homeless, formerly homeless and low-income students with new backpacks filled with quality school supplies.  We support teachers across Alameda by providing them with $500 donations through our Adopt A Classroom program.

Our work increases educational opportunities for our students that spark imaginations, nurture creativity and build confidence.  More importantly, our work gives students the chance to learn about themselves and what they are capable of doing.  Together, we can change lives.  

Please consider a tax-deductible donation today!

Sincerely,

Bill Sonneman, President