Rochester Area Youth Assistance
Welcome to the Rochester Area Youth Assistance Website

About Rochester Youth Assistance

Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) is a prevention based, nonprofit organization whose goal is to strengthen all youth and families in the Rochester Community through volunteer and community partnerships.

Professional counseling and case-work services are available for youth, ages 5 through 16, and their families who live within the Rochester School District. This assistance is confidential. Referrals are made by school personnel, police, parents, friends, and young people themselves.

Anyone interested in learning more about the RAYA Program or how to become a RAYA volunteer is invited to attend a RAYA Board of Directors meeting which is held the fourth Tuesday of every month (excluding June, July and December) in the Parker Room at the RCS Administration Building – 501 W. University, Rochester, 48307 beginning at 5:00 p.m. or call the RAYA office at 248-656-3558.

Financial Assistance Application Form & Instructions

Looking for the RAYA Financial Assistance Application & Instructions? You can find them on the documents page and download the PDF forms.

Services Provided to the Community

• SHORT-TERM COUNSELING & CASEWORK SERVICES are available to young people and their families, ages 5 to 16, who reside in the Rochester Community Schools District. Services are voluntary, confidential and include a $25 one-time processing fee.
• FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE is available to children K-12th grade for skill-building (sports or dance activities, classes, summer learning, etc.), camps or child care. **Parent or guardian must provide appropriate financial information to be eligible for financial assistance.
• CAMP SAFARI: RAYA and RARA work cooperatively to provide Camp Safari, a summer day camp for children ages 6 to 12 years of age from families who reside in targeted Rochester Hills neighborhoods. This program is funded by Rochester Area Youth Assistance, Rochester-Avon Recreation Authority, and the City of Rochester Hills.
• FAMILY EDUCATION: A variety of programs are provided which facilitate family growth and development, including workshops, guest speakers and parenting classes.
• YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARD: A Youth Recognition Banquet is held each year to honor area young people who have overcome major obstacles to reach their goals, volunteered their time to an individual, an organization or in their community, or who has demonstrated personal perseverance beyond the ordinary. Nominations for this award are accepted all year and can be found at the RAYA web site.
• MENTORS PLUS PROGRAM is a program which matches a young person with a trained adult volunteer for the purpose of companionship and role modeling.

1st Annual Tri-Rails to Trails

For complete information about this event download the Tri-Rails to Trails Brochure in PDF form.

RAYA Seeks Volunteers

Rochester Area Youth Assistance is looking for community volunteers to serve as members of RAYA committees or as a RAYA Board of Directors member. For more information about how to volunteer, please call the RAYA office – 248-656-3558.