Summer is a time for fun, friendship, and new experiences, and for many young people, it is also an opportunity to build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop leadership skills. Through three unique summer programs, Empower Yolo is creating safe, supportive spaces where children and teens can learn, grow, and prepare for the future.
Kids Day Camp at the Shelter:
For the past six years, Empower Yolo has offered a private summer day camp exclusively for children staying at its confidential safe house. The camp provides a safe and nurturing environment filled with enriching activities that support the children.
“Through recreational activities, arts and crafts, games, field trips, and supportive interactions with staff and volunteers, children develop social skills, resilience, and healthy coping strategies,” says Sandra Solorzano, Shelter Director at Empower Yolo. “For families, the camp offers peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe and caring environment while parents focus on healing, attending appointments, securing housing or employment, and rebuilding stability. Ultimately, the camp helps strengthen both children and families as they work toward a safer and more hopeful future. Overall, the camp supports the well-being of the entire family and helps restore a sense of stability, hope, and joy during their stay at the shelter,” emphasizes Solorzano.
A special part of the program is the involvement of volunteers from the Empower Youth Community Service Club at Davis Senior High School. By leading activities and mentoring younger children, students develop valuable leadership skills while making a meaningful difference.
“Volunteers learn effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict resolution while leading activities and serving as positive role models. Volunteers also gain experience in empathy, patience, adaptability, and cultural awareness as they support children with diverse backgrounds and experiences,” says Solorzano.
She adds, “The summer camp is important to our community because it provides children staying at the shelter with a safe, supportive, and enriching environment during a difficult time in their lives.”
Community members can support the camp by donating art supplies, games, snacks, or making financial contributions to help fund activities and field trips.
“We also encourage local businesses to partner with us by sponsoring special experiences for the children. For example, an ice cream shop could host the kids for a free ice cream day, a local restaurant could donate meals, a bowling alley or movie theater could provide complimentary passes,” says Solorzano. These are helpful and meaningful ways community members can support the families at the safe house.
Empower Yolo is grateful to the Davis Sunrise Rotary for funding Empower Yolo’s shelter summer camp this year from proceeds from its Big Night Gala event this past February.
ASSETs Kids Day Camp:
Now in its eighth year, Empower Yolo's After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Kids Day Camp offers a free summer experience for children ages 6 to 12 in Yolo County. Running July 22 through August 7, the camp is led by ASSETs staff with support from student volunteers from Woodland and Pioneer High Schools.
“This camp is important because it creates a fun, safe, and welcoming space for younger students ages 6–12 to express themselves, stay active, be creative, and connect with positive role models. It also helps uplift the community by bringing different age groups together and allowing high school students to serve as mentors,” says Aaron Montalvo, Pioneer High School Site Coordinator for the ASSETs program.
The goal of the camp is to give kids a positive experience where they can have fun, build confidence, express themselves, and participate in activities that support teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. “Through sports, active games, crafts, problem-solving activities, and group challenges, students are encouraged to try new things, make friends, and feel connected to their community,” says Montalvo.
The volunteer mentors play an essential part in this summer camp. These students attend Woodland or Pioneer High Schools, and many participate in ASSETs activities throughout the year. “High school mentors gain valuable leadership experience by helping guide younger students through activities, modeling positive behavior, and learning how to communicate with different age groups. They build skills in teamwork, responsibility, patience, problem-solving, activity planning, and conflict resolution. This program also allows them to earn community service hours toward their graduation requirement,” adds Montalvo.
Community members can help by sharing information about the camp or partnering to provide activities, supplies, or other resources. Support from the community helps us continue offering a positive space for kids while also creating leadership opportunities for high school students. For more information, contact assets@empoweryolo.org or (530) 650-5640.
Freshman Leadership Academy:
Since 2017, the Freshman Leadership Academy, a partnership between Empower Yolo's ASSETs program and UC Davis’s Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP), has helped incoming ninth-grade students confidently transition into high school.
“Freshman Leadership Academy (FLA) is an essential program that prepares incoming ninth-grade students for a successful transition into high school,” says Lizbeth Alvarado, Woodland High School Site Coordinator for the ASSETs program. The academy provides students with the opportunity to build leadership skills, develop friendships, and become familiar with their new school environment before the academic year begins. “Through team-building activities, academic workshops, and mentorship from upperclassmen and staff, students gain confidence, learn about campus resources, and develop the skills needed to succeed both academically and socially,” says Alvarado.
ASSETs staff help support teen leaders by finding their strengths. “As part of FLA, students discover their top five CliftonStrengths, helping them identify their natural talents and understand how to leverage their unique strengths in the classroom, in leadership roles, and in their personal growth. This strengths-based approach encourages self-awareness, builds confidence, and empowers students to recognize the value they bring to their school community,” says Alvarado.
By creating a welcoming and supportive environment, FLA helps students begin high school feeling prepared, connected, and empowered to reach their full potential.
The academy benefits both incoming freshmen and the upperclassmen who serve as mentors, giving student leaders opportunities to strengthen communication, mentorship, problem-solving, and teamwork while creating an inclusive environment for younger students.
“By bringing both groups together, FLA fosters meaningful relationships, creates a culture of belonging, and develops student leaders who contribute to a positive and supportive school community,” says Alvarado.
EAOP, a free UC Davis outreach initiative established in 1976, complements the program by providing college and career readiness workshops and academic planning with the goal of increasing access to higher education for students K-12 from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds.
“The partnership between ASSETs and EAOP works exceptionally well because each organization brings unique strengths that enhance the FLA. ASSETs provides leadership development, life skills, team-building activities, and peer mentorship that help students build confidence and a sense of belonging. EAOP staff support the program by facilitating college and career readiness workshops, academic planning, and CliftonStrengths activities, while encouraging students to develop a college-going mindset. Together, the partnership provides incoming freshmen with the academic, social, and leadership skills needed for a successful transition into high school,” says Alvarado.
The community plays an important role in the success of the FLA. “Community members, local businesses, organizations, and volunteers can support the program by providing sponsorships, donating supplies and meals, making financial contributions toward student prizes, such as a $500 computer, sharing resources, and volunteering their time to speak with students about leadership, careers, and life experiences. Continued partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations help create meaningful opportunities for students and ensure they feel supported as they start high school. This collective investment strengthens the program and helps students build confidence, develop leadership skills, and establish a strong foundation for future success,” says Alvarado.
For more information or to register for camp (space is limited), visit empoweryolo.org. Empower Yolo’s youth programs strengthen our community by supporting local youths through fun, safe, enriching activities and by helping to build future leaders.