Oakland Youth Aspire

History

What Now America grew from a group of students and professionals wanting to make a change in the community of West Oakland. They looked at the educational statistics of this inner-city community and decided that change should come in the form of an after school-tutoring program for at-risk youth in West Oakland. Statistics show only 11% have a college degree and only 2% have a graduate degree. This is far below national statistics. More than 80% of West Oakland residents are at or below a high school degree. Thirty-three percent of Oakland's current population ranges from preschool age to 17 years of age. What Now America realized that these youth are at risk of becoming undereducated, too, and developed a 100% volunteer run organization independent of existing public schools to provide educational services for these students in West Oakland's inner city neighborhoods.

Specialties

What Now America (WNA) is a uniquely fashioned youth resource center Saturday program. Through our extensive involvement in the community, our experienced board of directors and volunteers continue to cultivate trust in West Oakland and actively adjust our program offerings SLAM (Science, Language, Art, Math) to fulfill the needs of the community. WNA satisfies a critical need to offer positive alternatives to youth at NO COST to the participant or their families on a weekly basis.