Who We Serve

Since its inception in 1997, Boost! West Oakland (formerly known as Lafayette School Mentoring Project) has served more than 1,500 students with reading and math tutoring, enrichment activities, and mentoring support.

In 2008/2009, 104 students participated in tutoring/mentoring. 32 took part in enrichment activities.

Demographic Distribution
Boost! West Oakland serves a population in need and at-risk. The West Oakland neighborhoods served by Lafayette Elementary routinely post crime and poverty statistics among the highest in the county and state:

• All students in the program are eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
• 71% of West Oakland households have annual incomes of less than $30,000
• 33% of residents are CalWORKS (TANF) or MediCal participants

West Oakland residents stand a 50% chance of becoming victims of a violent crime.

The program's students reflect the diversity of the school and the surrounding neighborhoods:

• African American: 60%
• Latino 33%
• Middle Eastern 4%
• multiracial/multiethnic 2%.