ALTERNATIVES IN ACTION

Geographic areas served: San Francisco Bay Area, California, primarily Oakland and Alameda

Programs: Through alternatives in action's community programs (formerly the home project), over 650 youth are served annually through a diversity of programs including a summer leadership program, school-linked services such as college and career, academic intervention and case management and after school programming including health and nutrition activities, multi-media and visual arts projects and much more. Community programs are offered at life academy in east oakland, mcclymonds high school in west oakland and at alternatives in action's base of operations in west alameda. An additional 1,000 youths, benefit annually by participating in one-time events or activities provided through youth community impact projects. Community impact projects have included creating community gardens, organizing community events and conferences, creating documentary videos and more.

alternatives in action's public charter high school, the bay area school of enterprise (base), serves youth with leadership potential, the majority of whom have been unsuccessful in previous school settings, and strives to prepare these youth for college, career, and community. In 2001, base was formed as the first youth-initiated charter high school in the country and currently serves 115 culturally, ethnically, and academically diverse youth. Students who attend base receive a college prep education oriented towards community engagement and service. Youth have facilitated over 200 projects since the school's founding in 2001. In 2010, 57% of base's 23 graduates were accepted into 4-year colleges and 95% have gone on to some form of higher education. Graduates from base have gone on to ucs and csus, and private schools including st. Mary's and mills college. At base, youth find their voice, their passion, and a community to support them as they transform their lives and the lives of the people around them.