Resources for Black and Latinx Children and Youth
Access programs to help African-American/Black and Latinx young people in Berkeley thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.
African-American/Black and Latinx youth and their families can sign up for free or low-cost programs supported by the City of Berkeley’s Youth Equity Partnership (YEP). YEP provides funding to nonprofit community agencies to offer a wide range of programs from infancy through high school.
To find out if your child is eligible and how to apply for services—including child care, tutoring, college readiness, and more—please contact the program provider using the links below.
To be eligible for most YEP-funded programs, individuals must be African American/Black or Latinx, 0-18 years old, and live or attend public school in Berkeley. Some programs have limited availability and may have a waitlist. Many programs offer services to a wider population through other funding sources.
Early Childhood (ages 0-5)
BAHIA Pre-School Program (Centro Vida): Subsidized bilingual (Spanish/English) preschool for ages 2-5 years old
BANANAS Child Care Subsidies: Financial assistance for child care for ages 0-5 years old, or their siblings 0-8 years old
Ephesian Childcare Program: Subsidized part- or full-time preschool for children 2.9-5 years old
Nia House Childcare: Subsidized full-day Montessori preschool for children 18 months-6 years old.
Sisters Together Empowering Peers (STEP): Peer-led support group for African-American/Black parents to prepare their children ages 0-5 years old for kindergarten.
Through The Looking Glass Berkeley Parenting & K Readiness Project: Personal support services for children 0-5 years old if the child or parent has a disability.
Elementary School (ages 5-11)
BAHIA School-Age Program: Bilingual (Spanish/English) afterschool program for children ages 5-10 years old
BACR School-based Behavioral Health Services: School-based counseling and case management services for kindergarten-5th grade students at Cragmont, John Muir, Malcolm X, Oxford, Sylvia Mendez, and Thousand Oaks elementary schools.
Berkeley Youth Alternatives Afterschool Center: Afterschool care for elementary school students ages 6 and up
Berkeley Youth Alternatives Counseling: Counseling program for elementary school students ages 6 and up
BUILD Literacy: UC Berkeley students offer one-on-one reading mentorship for students at all BUSD elementary schools.
Ephesian School Age Program: Afterschool program for elementary school students
Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS): Academic support for low-income Latinx elementary school students starting in third grade
Pathways Coaching (Stiles Hall): Academic and social support for students at Sylvia Mendez Elementary School.
Rosa Parks Collaborative Family Resource Center: Behavioral health and family support services for students at Rosa Parks Elementary School
Middle School (ages 11-14)
Berkeley Youth Alternatives Counseling: Counseling program for middle school students
Berkeley Youth Alternatives Afterschool Center: Afterschool program for middle school children
Bridging Berkeley: Math tutoring for students at Longfellow and Martin Luther King, Jr. middle schools
Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS): Academic support for low-income Latinx middle school students
Pathways Coaching (Stiles Hall): Academic and social support for students at Longfellow and Martin Luther King, Jr. middle schools.
Pacific Center Youth Program: Support groups for LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC youth in middle school
High School (ages 14-18)
Berkeley Youth Alternatives Counseling: Free counseling program for high school students
Berkeley High School Bridge Program: Intensive college and career readiness services to Berkeley High School students (contact: jessieluxford@berkeley.net)
Biotech Academy at Berkeley High School: Education, internships, and advising to prepare students for a career in biotech.
Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS): Academic support for low-income Latinx students through ninth grade
Pacific Center Youth Program: Support groups for LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC youth
R.I.S.E.- Responsibility, Integrity, Strength & Empowerment: Academic support and college preparation for high school students