Help Save Safe Passages' Elev8 AmeriCorps Program
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Help Save the Elev8 AmeriCorps Program for Oakland Youth!
Our students and community members need you now more than ever.
On Friday, we received devastating news: the federal government has ordered massive cuts to AmeriCorps funding, slashing 41% of the agency budget and approximately $400 million across grant-funded programs nationwide. These cuts affect over 32,000 AmeriCorps members around the country. They will be felt throughout our Oakland community, where funding for Safe Passages’ Elev8 AmeriCorps project has been abruptly terminated—effective immediately.
There was no warning. No transition. No consideration for the youth, families and schools that rely on this program every single day.
What is Elev8?
Elev8 AmeriCorps, operated by Safe Passages, places passionate mentors and academic tutors at Oakland’s highest-need public schools. AmeriCorps members are recruited directly from the community—many come from the same neighborhoods as their students. They offer personalized academic support, mentorship, and life skills development to hundreds of students each year.
Our Elev8 members:
- Provide one-on-one academic support to students struggling with Math and English
- Mentor some of Oakland’s most vulnerable youth helping build trust, confidence and resilience in student populations
- Support after school programs that give students a safe, engaging space to learn, grow and thrive
Elev8 Works!
An independent evaluation of standardized assessments administered during the 2023-2024 academic year showed students receiving Elev8 services improved by 18 points in Math and 26 points in Reading between the start and end of the program. The current administration’s cuts are completely unfounded and have no correlation to Elev8 program outcomes or performance of service members.
Why Safe Passages Needs Your Help
The sudden, disruptive cuts leave students and service members with no time to transition and leave schools with no way to replace needed services. Our AmeriCorps members have been terminated without notice, and students will return to school with no Elev8 mentors in their classrooms and no one-on-one academic and emotional support to help them break the cycle of poverty.
This is not just a budget cut—but an attack on Oakland youth’s right to thrive
We are launching this urgent campaign to:
- Support our AmeriCorps members in providing vital student support services through the end of the school year
- Advocate and mobilize for the protection of service programs like Elev8 across the county
How You Can Help
Your donation and support will help Safe Passages continue to fight for the future of Oakland’s youth. $150,000 is the target we need to reach to cover our members' living expenses for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. If you are unable to make a direct contribution, please share this page and spread the word. Our students are counting on us. It is a part of Safe Passages mission to show youth that even when their government fails them, their community will not.
Co-organizers (2)
Lara Sichi
Organizer
Oakland, CA
Vanessa Urbina
Co-organizer