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“AND THE WINNER IS…”
The African American Youth Harvest Foundation won the 2023 Best of Black Austin “Best Non-Profit” category!! Thank you to everyone that voted for AAYHF!
Award winners was announced at a ceremony the evening of May 18, 2023.
Watch as AAYHF wins in its category!
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Also, the African American youth Harvest Foundation was acknowledged in the Austin Villager newspaper.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE!
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THE AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH HARVEST FOUNDATION IS RANKED #3 FOR NON-PROFITS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT IN TEXAS!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE!
| AAYHF WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR 16TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY NEXT MONTH! | |
5/16: This Boys & Girls Mentoring Meeting offered another unique learning experience with Martial Arts training.
Fire Dragon Marital Artis Institute (Austin, TX), lead by Grandmaster Moses Williams, held a Marial Arts class with the youth at the African American Youth Harvest Foundation. Professor Moses Williams, has 47 years of marital arts and holds a Ph.D. in Martial Arts Science.
| Take a look at these two action videos! | |
MICHAEL LOFTON INSPIRING THE YOUTH AFTER MARITAL ARTS CLASS (he says it and the youth repeat it)! “I am Magical, I am Important, My Mental Health Matters…”
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE!
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We’ve begun the enrollment process for the 2023 Urban University Youth Summer Camp. A parent orientation was held May 17.
Urban University is one of our annual signature youth summer camps that runs for 6 weeks starting in June through July.
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We have over 200 youth registered for camp this year and we could use your support!
DONATE HERE!
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5/18: AAYHF attended the Manor ISD The Whole Child, Community Partnerships and Engagement Team at their 2nd Annual Mental Health Fair –
Healing and Connection event.
The young girl with the basket won AAYHF giveaway basket.
| On May 16, 2023, AAYHF attended and provided transportation to Commissioner Court on the Foundation’s bus! | 5/16: BOYS & GIRLS MENTORING MEETING – TACO TUESDAY! | |
5/9: AAYHF Boys & Girls Weekly Mentoring Groups
Amazon volunteering to serve youth during the boys and girls mentoring program.
Thank you, Amazon Team, for your support in serving the community!
| AAYHF Boy2Men (B2M) Mentoring Group – 5/9 | 5/9: AAYHF GIRL’S MENTORING – AUSTIN ACHIEVE PROGRAM – “IMAGINE ME” | |
More from our Girl’s Mentoring Group on May 9
Topic: Deep Down Feelings
A night of talking about feelings and how to manage our emotions.
“After talking it out, we all pretty much left FEELING just fine… ????“
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On behalf of the African American Youth Harvest Foundation (AAYHF) and the Hindu Charities for America (HC4A), we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Anirudh and Dr. Kumar of Great Learning Program for their partial sponsorship of the Postgraduate Program in Cybersecurity for three of our deserving students, AJ, Devon, and Ebai. This is our inaugural cohort of students, and we are hopeful that based on this success we can have more students go through the program. All the students have received their Dell Tech Certifications.
AAYHF is accepting registration for our summer Dell Tech Certifications, those interested, please email us at contactus@aayhf.org
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AAYHF 2023 MOTHER’S DAY
PHOTO SHOOT
All of the beautiful moms (not all photos shown) received a free photo shoot with their children/family and also were given roses and gift bags.
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May 2 at AAYHF –
CHIEF JOSE CHACON VISITS AAYHF &
BOY’S & GIRL’S MENTORING GROUP
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Greetings from Michael Lofton
“We had a great meeting last night with our Youth & Parents and APD Chief Jose Chacon. The Community had a great discussion with Chief Chacon on Community Policing and discussed ways to improve relationships.
Some of the Topics we Discussed were as follows:
Disparate Traffic Stops by DPS
Police Training / Ethical Concerns / Disciplinary Actions
Texas Relays and The Targeting of Black Youth Showing off their Vehicles, with Excessive Traffic Stops
APD Re-engagement in The Community to Improve Relationships
Addressing The Mental Health / Stress from Years of Policing Concerns in the African American Community
APD / AAYHF Youth and Sport Competition Events -For Example: Flag Football / Basketball
APD / More Engagement with Youth in Our Group Mentoring Programs and our Urban University Summer Camp
In closing It was a great conversation by all and we had fun with our kids, and we have plans for future conversations with the community and our youth.“
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | WATCH THIS VIDEO – MR. LOFTON LEADING YOUTH AFFIRMATIONS!! | Just a few more from the individual Boy’s & Girl’s Mentoring meetings on May 2, where the Austin Chief of Police also visited with parents, youth and other members of the community. | |
AAYHF participated today in the 7th Annual STEAM FEST at
Martin Middle School
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MAY IS
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
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On April 25, AAYHF participated in Mental Health Day and activities at Austin Achieve Public School.
The activities were: Making Stress Balls and Kindness and Self-esteem activity with Skittles and M&M’s candies.
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NEW SUMMER/FALL 2023
MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING DATES!
HOW TO REGISTER? SCAN THE QR CODE OR CLICK HERE!
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Need Support Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
About 988
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
• Thoughts of suicide
• Mental health or substance use crisis, or
• Any other kind of emotion distress
• https://988lifeline.org/
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4/30: The African American Youth Harvest Foundation met this weekend with its 25 In-House Non-Profit Partners at the Resource Center to discuss collaborative ways to enhance Programing Service to the Central Texas Community. Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe met with the team as well. Mr. Bledsoe’s Law Office as well as NAACP State Branch Office is in the Resource Center.
More to follow on this story next week as we prepare a Directory of all the Programs and Services at The African American Youth and Family Resource Center.
-Michael Lofton
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5/4: AAYHF DELL TECH CREW
AAYHF and Dell Technologies at Manor ISD working with Manor Dell Student Tech Crew on weekly system repair. The students are brilliant!!
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Austin Texas Exonerated LaCresha Murray reaches out to AAYHF for assistance to remove two bullets from her arm being shot 6 times by off duty police officer in Copperas Cove Texas. LaCresha is needing basic needs support along with counseling. The officer has been indicted and Mr. Gary Bledsoe’s Law Firm is representing LaCresha Murray.
| LaCresha Murray receiving services (clothes/food/shoes) from AAYHF. | |
SAVE THE DATE
Martin Luther King, III,
will be the Keynote Speaker at the African American Youth Harvest Foundation Annual Gala, Saturday, October 28. In addition, he will be present for a VIP Brunch and Youth Summit on Friday, October 27. For Sponsorship and Special Event inquires contact Michael Lofton: MRLOFTON@AAYHF.ORG
| 7th Annual Kids Fest ATX – April 29 | Youth Justice Meeting at AAYHF April 28 | |
The next Family & Parenting Workshop starts May 23 -June 8!
It’s FREE!
SIGN UP HERE!
Or scan the QR Code below
| New Mentor Training at AAYHF! | |
4/25: AAYHF Girl’s Mentoring Group
Thank you to our Guest Speaker: Priscilla Toussant for a night of Empowerment!! “Loving yourself begins with Respecting yourselves!!”
Guest Speaker will be Priscilla Toussant – on “Self-Care”
Topic: Raising Queens in Today’s World
What Does it Take?
A little about Priscilla,
“My name is Priscilla Young- Toussant, and My Life’s Purpose is to help others in need, help build and nurture our younger Queens and Straighten Crowns along the way.. I’m currently employed by HCA Central West Texas Division as a Medical Staff Coordinator. I’m here today to lend a hand to our Beautiful up and coming Queens, to extend tips that will help each of you Affirm and Balance your journey. We walk a tough and tight road …so sometimes we need a little assistance straightening our Crowns.
Wishing each of you Young Ladies the Best,
Priscilla Young Toussant”
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AAYHF STEM & TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
LOOK AT A FEW OF OUR TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS’ 3D PRINTING CREATIONS!
We want to recognize
Jaden, Tristen and Noah!
Jaden, Tristen and Noah are STEM/Technology/Gaming/Coding/3D Printing students at AAYHF and they created these designs using Coding and the 3D Printer.
Look at their fine work.
| One of our Youth made A& B Honor Roll.. Give it up for Tristen | AAYHF and Dell Technologies are in partnership with Manor ISD working, training, mentoring in educating Dell Student Tech Crew of Manor how to diagnose and repair Chromebooks. | |
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STEM, Technology, 3-D Printing, Gaming & Coding and more is offered at no charge for youth ages kindergarten through 12th grade inside of the Dell Tech Lounge.
STEM workshops are one of the continuous programs that AAYHF offers for young people.
What is STEM? STEM consists of the natural sciences, technology-related, engineering and math fields.
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Outstanding News here! Two AAYHF youth earn their Dell Tech Certification! | |
Austin Legal Access has launched a new law firm, located inside of the African American Youth Resource Center at 6633 E Hwy 290, Suite 303, Austin, Texas 78723. ALA opened its doors for legal services on March 6, 2023. Executive Director and Managing Attorney, Dyan Lofton, will be accepting cases in the following areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Wills/Probate. For more information and to learn more about ALA, please visit: www.AustinLegalAccess.org | |
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African American Youth Harvest Foundation
www.aayhf.org
6633 Hwy 290 E., #307
Austin, TX 78723
512-428-4480
Email: CONTACTUS@AAYHF.ORG
Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO
WAYS TO DONATE:
www.aayhf.org/donate
Text a Donation: Text text word
CHANGE to 77948
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