Summer is the season of fun and one that many students look forward to after months of hard work at school. Some kids already have their whole summer planned out, but for others their plans may consist of staying at home. Why? The most common barrier for kids participating in summer activities is a financial one. Many families do not have the means to send their children to a camp or pay for classes that will help them remain engaged and active during the three-month break.

PVF’s Youth Opportunity Scholarship Program aims to address this issue by making it possible for students to explore their interests without financial worry. The program awards low-income middle school students scholarships of up to $250 to fund anything from guitar lessons, basketball camps, and art classes to YMCA memberships, cooking classes, and robotics workshops. It is a great resource that supports students’ interests while helping them to build their confidence and self-esteem.

We make these scholarships available by partnering with youth-serving organizations like Aim High, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that works to close the opportunity and achievement gap by providing a free summer learning program to low-income middle school students. This summer, we funded 158 individual scholarships – totaling $40,000 – for Aim High students in San Francisco, Oakland, Marin, and the Peninsula.

We are proud to partner with organizations like Aim High to give students a chance to thrive.