Rochester Area Youth Assistance has moved its office into the Rochester Community Schools administration building at 52585 Dequindre Road.

Rochester Community Schools announced the relocation on Wednesday, Sept. 23, calling RAYA a community partner and directing families to the nonprofit's website at raya-mi.org for information about available resources.

RAYA is a nonprofit prevention organization that works to strengthen youth and families across the Rochester Community School District and reduce the incidence of delinquency, abuse and neglect through community involvement. The organization operates under the sponsorship of the school district, local municipalities and the Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division, according to a City of Rochester publication.

The group offers financial assistance for sports, classes, summer learning and other activities to qualifying students in grades K-12, according to the district's athletics department. Parents and guardians can apply online at raya-mi.org or call (248) 726-3174.

No information about RAYA's previous office location was included in the district's announcement. The nonprofit's email remains [email protected].

The move places RAYA under the same roof as the district administration it partners with. Debbie Jones, RAYA's president, said in an August statement about a Rochester Rotary grant that community organizations like Rochester Rotary help RAYA "address these critical issues affecting our local community." That grant, a $3,000 contribution to RAYA's Self Care Kit Initiative, was organized by the RAYA Youth Council to support the mental and emotional well-being of middle and high school students.

The self-care kits contain guided journals, yoga cards and other tools selected by teens. They are distributed at no cost to counseling offices across the district's middle and high schools.

RAYA is also launching a yoga program for RCS students in grades 3–5. Sessions run Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the University Hills gym for six weeks, starting Oct. 12. The cost is $25 for six weeks.

Upcoming RAYA dates

  • Oct. 12: Yoga program begins at University Hills gym, Mondays 6:30–7 p.m. for six weeks ($25). Register through the district's online form.

Families can find RAYA's office at 52585 Dequindre Road or reach staff at (248) 726-3174.