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Earlier this year the MAA identified a free youth mentor program that’s based in the Watts area of Los Angeles called the Watts Skills Academy (WSA).  The goal of this program is to equip youth with the necessary tools to be successful in life through sports. Currently, there are approximately 30 kids actively involved with WSA.  Although they have limited resources, the program has had positive feedback from the community and it’s growing faster than expected.

The director Mr. Ivan Jackson (LAPD OFFICER)  expressed a need for various types of apparel that represents the program to create a more uniform look ( tshirts, sweatshirts, team jerseys etc) for the youth and his team that facilitates the programs activities.

On 7-16-19 the MAA presented a check to the Watts Skills Academy in the amount of $1,800.00 to help them purchase the needed apparel.  This will be the beginning of a relationship between MAA and the Watts Skills Academy where both organizations can collectively support each other’s mission and endeavors.

MAA and in conjunction with our partners, have created a working collaboration between STEM college students and a team of high school students who are interested in STEM.  This will be the first year the robotics will compete in the F.I.R.S.T. (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics program.  We are very excited to be in a position to mentor a robotics team and look forward to a wonderful and rewarding experience.

The team consists of eight students and five mentors. The students attend various highs schools throughout Orange County, and the mentors include engineers from The Boeing Company, Raytheon and college students who attend the University of Irvine (UCI) and Cal Poly Pomona (CPP).