I’d like you to meet Addrell. Recently, I received a certified letter from his grandmother. She wrote me in thanks for our program’s many offerings, and for the myriad new experiences Addrell has had. In particular, it seems creating and then watching a video of himself for WNA on YouTube has resulted in a distinct improvement in Addrell’s self esteem.

I can’t tell you how happy I was to read her letter. This is why we are here. We want to offer our participants new experiences and new opportunities to enhance their lives and help them to grow in positive ways to give them the confidence to succeed. This is but one small way in which we do that each Saturday afternoon in West Oakland.

Thank you for your continued support,

Milad Yazdanpanah
Executive Director

As a part of our continued partnership with Big City Mountaineers, we have the chance to sponsor two groups of teens for a 6-day, no-frills backpacking trip in the high Sierras. 5 girls and 5 boys will be selected to join an equal number of coach/counselors on a physically and emotionally challenging adventure. The teens will learn new ideas about age/ethnic diversity, self-esteem, environmental awareness, and interpersonal relationships. This is a very rewarding and amazing opportunity for personal growth in their lives, as I can attest first-hand. Read More

My life is wonderful, but not wonderful enough.
I had someone who was close to me, but he gone now.
Sometimes I wish he wasn't, but I still raise my head up.
Even though my head is raised up high, my face is still wet from the tears I cry.

Arianna
Age 8