About
Our Mission
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Ayo! Connect builds wellness in schools, families, and communities by providing dynamic and engaging no-cost social emotional learning instructional programs, mental health tools, and wellness resources.
Through leveraged partnerships with schools and community agencies, our programs aim to disrupt the status quo of mental health and wellness in our communities by providing engaging, hands-on, instructional programs to youth, families, and educational partners. We focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness (including digital citizenship and cyberbullying), relationship skills, and responsible decision-making as we build connections to wellness both now and in the future.​
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Our goal is to help children grow, heal, and learn to be physically and mentally healthy despite their circumstances. Ayo! Connect provides mental health care education, workshops, grants and/or scholarships, and after-school expanded learning programs for all children and their families.
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Our motto "ayo," the Armenian word for "yes," embodies the history of the Armenian people's great struggle and eventual success. Yes, we can rise above. Yes, we can grow. Yes, together, we can build connections and improve our wellbeing.
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Let us help you say "Ayo!"
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Richard Kegham Sarafian
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Born Richard "Mesrob" Kegham Sarafian in Fresno, California in 1933, Mesrob spent his entire life in service to others. His kindness and openness to others, regardless of their circumstances or personal flaws, personifies the spirit of Ayo! Connect and guides its endeavors to help children and families. Ayo! Connect strives to honor his legacy of service to the community as it works to provide services and support for children, families, and communities.

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Alice Marie Sarafian
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Born Alice Marie Izmirian in San Mateo, California in 1940, Alice was a talented educator and passionate advocate for children. She spent four decades serving elementary and secondary school students and families. Her positive impact and service as a teacher, continues to live on in generations of students who have kept in touch with her. Alice strived continuously to better the lives of those around her, with a particular focus on the rights and empowerment of women. Her steadfast commitment to community service and activism embodies Ayo! Connect.
Our Inspiration
