Education & Youth Development

The Y & H Soda Foundation is committed to the academic achievement of underserved children and youth in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Foundation's primary funding strategy is to provide access to high quality education through tuition assistance for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Oakland. In addition, the Foundation provides some scholarship assistance to low-income students attending K-12 private schools. We also support programming that seeks to strengthen teaching and learning in school settings, as well as after school programming in K-12 public and charter schools in underserved areas.

The Foundation is committed to helping underserved youth gain the skills to grow into self-sufficient, contributing adults. We support programs that meet best practice standards for youth development and help young people develop responsibility, leadership skills and become involved in their community.

Education

Funding Area
K-12 Catholic School and Private School Tuition Assistance - By Invitation Only

Goal

Increase the availability of tuition assistance to economically disadvantaged students seeking a Catholic or private K-12 education

Strategy

  • Support tuition assistance programs to selected Catholic and private schools.

Intended Outcome:
Catholic and private K-12 education is accessible to low‑income, working poor families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Funding Area
After school programs

Goal

Improve access to quality after school programs for underserved students in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Strategy

Support academic and enrichment programs that provide:

  • Researched based curriculums meeting state standards;
  • Development outcomes with on-going evaluation;
  • Low student to staff ratios;
  • A safe and secure location; and
  • Continuity and consistency in program and staff.

Intended Outcome:

Enhance the Academic Success of Students

Funding Area
Programs in K-12 public and private schools

Goal

Improve student learning and strengthen schools in underserved areas of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Strategies

  • Support programs that enhance student engagement in learning and connectedness to school.
  • Support small learning communities with low staff to student ratios.
  • Support engagement programs that improve parental involment with their children's education.

Intended Outcome:

Enhance the Academic Success of Students

 

Youth Development

Funding Area
Out of School Time

Goal

Strengthen programs in structured environments that support and encourage the development and involvement of youth.

Strategy

Support programs that provide most of the following elements:

  • Safety, so that youth feel physically and emotionally secure;
  • Supportive youth-adult relationships, so that young people experience emotional and practical guidance from adults who know who they are and what is important to them;
  • Meaningful youth involvement, so that young people can take on roles with responsibility, have input into decision-making, obtain leadership opportunities, and experience a sense of belonging;
  • Skill-building activities, so that youth experience a sense of growth and progress; and
  • Community involvement, so that youth gain an understanding of the greater community and a sense of being able to make an impact in their community.

Outcome:

Youth are able and ready to make safe, successful and positive transitions to adulthood.