San Diego is home to special schools and programs that serve at risk youth with severe emotional disturbances and learning disabilities.   These schools and programs are underfunded and FOCUS helps fill the gap to ensure a transition to a successful future.

When schools in San Diego County have special needs or emergencies, FOCUS fulfills requests for supplies, books, computers, equipment and food. Unique requests for gardening tools, culinary supplies, clothing/shoes have been funded.

Aseltine School

64% of Aseltine school families are living in or below the poverty line.  72% of the students qualify for free breakfast and lunch.  Many students receive their main meals at school. Aseltine is having in-person school just two days/week. There is concern for their nutritional needs when the children are not in school, especially over extended vacation periods. The school provides families with non-perishable food items for their homes.

Projects:   

• Multiple months of assistance in their ”Help Feed Our Families Program” by purchasing food staples for their Food Pantry.
• 6 14” HP Google Chrome Books.
• The Backpack Program purchased and assembled 35 backpacks with school supplies for elementary, middle and high school students.

Barrio Logan College Institute

Prepares disadvantaged students to be among the first in their family to attend and succeed at college.   They provide tutoring, mentoring, and help with college applications. Some FOCUS members have been involved with tutoring.

Projects:  

• Provision of multiple school items to be used at home by the students such as construction paper, notebooks, pencils and glue sticks.

Nativity Prep

Nativity Prep Academy is a private-independent, all-scholarship Catholic middle school and college access program for young men and women from historically under-resourced communities who represent the first generation of their family to graduate from college. Eleven years of support empower our students to excel through high school, college, and beyond, becoming role models and leaders in their communities.

Projects:  

• Purchased chrome books and a series of books to motivate and prepare students for college testing.

San Pascual Academy

San Pasqual Academy, a first-in-the-nation residential education campus designed specifically for foster youth, serves as a placement option for dependents of the Juvenile Court, 12-17 years old, and Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) up to age 19 years old. A seamless delivery of services is provided through a public-private partnership between the County of San Diego, New Alternatives, Inc., San Diego County Office of Education, and Access, Inc. Approved by the California Department of Social Services as a three-year pilot project, the Academy is a unique model for serving the whole child via trauma-informed care.

Projects:

• Completely furnished a 4 bedroom cottage including bedroom, kitchen, family room and bathroom.