Our History:

AREF was founded in 1999 by district administrators, staff, friends, parents, and alumni to improve, enhance and advance the education of Alum Rock students. Since then the Foundation has put over $1.9 million dollars to use in Alum Rock.

Past projects have included:

• Funding assistance for homework centers.
• Over $30,000 raised to purchase sports uniforms for middle school students.
• $15,000 raised to help the Alum Rock’s Jazz Program fund after-school music and summer programs.
• Served as the fiscal agent and operating manager for the Even Start program (funded by CA Dept of Ed and Federal grants).
• Provided Family Literacy/ESL classes to parents of students through a collaboration with Eastside Union High School District and Alum Rock Union Elementary School District (funded by CA Dept of Ed and Federal grants).
• Ongoing support of the Joseph George Community Center’s science and technology lab.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Mountain Winery Kids’ Foundation to provide summer sports and science programs.

AREF works collaboratively with District Trustees, District Administration and bargaining unit leadership from the Alum Rock Educators Association, the California School Employee Association, and Teamsters. AREF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is responsible for all of the operations of the foundation.