Hello GU Family!
Since 2007, we have sought diligently to be a light and blessing to the community. We are forever grateful for the incredible community of families, volunteers, donors, and community members who have been a part of our lives. Thank you for the support and love throughout many years, it takes many hands and hearts to do this work.
As we head into the time we will vacate our beloved Academic Enrichment Center on 2nd Avenue, I have many reflections. Since being advised of our displacement a few days before Christmas, we have met with several Stanford representatives. We learned about what transpired when they began setting their sights on North Fair Oaks (NFO) and it’s been incredibly disheartening to witness such disregard for the people of this community. It’s a different time now and finding an adequate location has been challenging. Little did we know that gentrification would touch us this profoundly. We have done our best to express our great concern to Stanford. We met with multiple individuals and believed that perhaps if we shared with them ways they could be good neighbors to the predominantly Hispanic families in our community, maybe they’d listen, or at a minimum, consider options on how to best create a sense that they were willing to provide access given how much of the community is being ravaged by their expansion. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears. We hope that change will come in another way and with another organization.
We will re-launch the AEC at the Salvation Army at 660 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City and if you are available to help us unpack and get organized, we’d love for you to join us on Thursday, 9/26 and Friday, 9/27 from 11 am until we wrap up! it’s a much bigger space and we are excited for the 2024-2025 school year! This year, students will be picked up by van from school and returned to NFO by 6 pm.
Please plan on signing up to volunteer to read with a student, do math, or just be a friend.
I’m hoping to meet with you in the days to come!
Backpack Giveaway and Back To School
Our students have been settling into the new school year and we are excited to launch this week. Please read below for some tangible ways that you can support our students and families, including volunteering, prayer team, and donations.
Backpack Giveaway and Back To School
Last week, we had a small “so long” gathering with families in our 895 Second Ave. location. It has been a fruitful season for us and we want to take that momentum with us into our new space. As we prepare to move, we are selling some items and need to move them quickly! Stop by or contact Keith for more information.
On September 26, we will move out of our old space into our new space at the Salvation Army at 660 Veterans Blvd. Friday 9/27 will be our set-up day. “Many hands make light work” and if you are available, we can use you! Click the photo to email Keith and let us know when you can help!
Can you help a student this year?
Now is a great time to engage with our community by reading with a child. Just one hour a week makes a difference in the lives of our students and families. Our fall programming begins on Monday, 9/30. We have weekday opportunities from 4:00-5:30 pm (you choose 1 hour that works for your schedule). Please join us AND consider telling a friend! We welcome High School students and church groups interested in completing community service hours or seeking a service project. Our upcoming calendar is below and updates are always available on our website. Click for more information or to sign up.
With programs starting up, we need some passionate individuals to join our team. We welcome your referrals, so please forward this email to anyone interested in working with us.
New programs: We have several workshops we will be hosting for the community and are excited to partner for a mental health initiative and healthy eating sponsored by Sequoia Health Care District. We will also have several groups centering around medical needs in the community in partnership with the Stanford Office of Child Health Equity (OCE).
Great things are ahead with Hispanic Heritage Month, Fall Events, Thanksgiving, and Christmas around the corner. Stay tuned!
Calendar:
9/15 Hispanic Heritage Month starts!
9/15 Fiestas Patrias (Downtown Redwood City)
9/26 Moving Day (895 2nd Ave. Redwood City)
9/27 Move-In/Set Up Day (660 Veterans Blvd. Redwood City)
9/30 First Day of AEC
None of this is possible without the support of our faithful volunteers, dedicated staff, and generous financial supporters.
We encourage donations via Facebook or Zelle (no fees!). We also accept ACH, Venmo, and PayPal.
Details are on our website, click the button below.
FEIN 51-0666650