For 35 years, the AES has advocated for systemic change and youth voice. Through training and providing opportunities, we have supported vulnerable young people to advocate for themselves and take on leadership roles. In the past few years, AES has been transitioning from providing a range of services to focusing on collaborating with and providing funding to nonprofits and organizations that share our values and goals.

Through the generosity of the Davitto Family Trust, in 2023 AES incorporated Catalytic Philanthropy into its portfolio of services. Since that time, we have provided micro- and larger grants ($1000 to $10,000), and shared our knowledge and expertise with existing and new nonprofits to build collaborations and capacity and increase services for young people.

In addition to collaborating with Nurturing Your Nonprofit, AES also supported projects that focused on students of color: Pipeline to College with HAWK nonprofit, the CSUS Black Honors College, and Luther Burbank High School program to support paths to graduation for high risk students.

In 2025, AES was proud to be the primary sponsor of Youth Forward’s 2025 Children’s Champion Award Celebration. This event recognized Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang and indigenous youth leaders Angelina Hinojosa and Alan Santos for their work in support of children and youth. It brought together youth and adults from the City’s youth-serving organizations and public agencies to meet and celebrate our work. Shout out to Ana Taukolo with Youth Forward (formerly AES) for facilitating a successful night. We look forward to sponsoring the second Children’s Champion Award Celebration in 2026.

In response to the 2024 election and its impact on our values, goals, and collective work, AES established a support group. Conversations of Respect members, in California and across the U.S., come together monthly to discuss issues, concerns, and actions in the current political climate.

To ensure AES continues to support young people in the future, we established a legacy program with the Sacramento Diamond Foundation (SDF): The AES Dr. Bernie Davitto & Charles Carter Endowment Fund. This Endowment provides SDF with on-going financial support to provide academic scholarships, youth development programming and community empowerment.

We continue to look for other opportunities to have a positive impact. However, our proudest achievement will always be the countless young people and adults who have joined and grown with our AES Family over the years.

Bernie Davitto, Co-Founder
CC Carter, Co-Founder
Lisa Foster, Board Chair