Rochester Area Youth Assistance

2012 Youth Recognition Banquet

RAYA Staff — Sun, 15 May 2011 22:50:37 +0000

On March 27, 2012, thirty three Rochester youth were recognized for their outstanding community service at the 38th Annual Youth Recognition Banquet at the River Crest in Rochester Hills. The honorees ranged from second grade to high school seniors from all of the area’s schools. A special $500 scholarship was awarded to Megan D’Arcy from the Judy Coats Memorial Fund, as Judy was active in the RAYA program for many years. This year’s honorees donated many hours to local schools, soup kitchens, churches, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, etc. Nominations for the 2013 Youth Recognition Award are now being accepted.

2011 Youth Recognition Banquet

RAYA Staff — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:55:35 +0000

The 2011 37th Annual Youth Recognition Banquet – “On a Positive Note” – was held March 29, 2011 at the River Crest. Forty-five youth were honored at the event for their contributions and accomplishments in their community. A $500 Judith Coats Memorial Scholarship was awarded to senior Suzanne Trigger, Lutheran High Northwest. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 banquet. Photos from the 2011 banquet can be viewed here under “RAYA Banquet.”

Donate to RAYA with PayPal

RAYA Staff — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:43:22 +0000

Good news! RAYA can now accept donations online using the secure services of PayPal. The news even gets better. You don’t need a PayPal account to make your donation. PayPal accepts major credit cards, too!

Your donations are very important to the continued success of RAYA. Without your help many of our programs would be unfunded and at risk youth in our area would suffer as a result. When deciding how to spend your charitable dollars please consider making a donation to RAYA.

Thank you!

2011-2012 Annual Sponsorships Available

RAYA Staff — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:34:01 +0000

Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) is a non-profit organization of volunteer citizens, assisted by a professional full-time counselor. Our goal is to strengthen youth and families and to reduce the incidence of delinquency, abuse and neglect through volunteer involvement.

Some of our programs include scholarships for before and after school care, summer camps, family education, parenting classes, mentors plus and a youth recognition banquet. Professional counseling is also available to youth and families in the Rochester School District.

Platinum $1,500

This includes yearlong recognition as one of our major sponsors and your logo on all of our programs for every event. There are at least three fundraisers per year, our annual report, and a youth recognition banquet. Your logo will also appear on our website recognized as a major sponsor and on our scholarship application. The platinum level also includes a scholarship issued in your name.
Gold $1,000: This includes your logo on our annual report, at the youth recognition banquet, and our fundraising events.

Gold $1,000

This includes your logo on our annual report, at the youth recognition banquet, and our fundraising events.

Silver $500

This includes your logo on our annual report and at the youth recognition banquet.

If you are interested in sponsoring RAYA, you can Annual Community Sponsorship Application and return it to our office when complete.

RAYA is a 501C3 organization supported by the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Charter Township of Oakland, Rochester Community Schools and Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division. 100% of your donation goes to support children in our community directly through our scholarships, programs and events.

Downtown Rochester Photo Book Benefits RAYA

RAYA Staff — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:27:04 +0000

Published June 11, 2009, the fifth book of photography from City Photos and Books, Inc. features the beautiful and historic town of Rochester, Michigan, located in northern Oakland County.

According to author Rod Arroyo:

“Rochester is one of the great small towns in Michigan. It offers a dynamic combination of rich history, quality growth, and vibrancy that encompasses downtown, other business areas, and the neighborhoods. This is a walkable community. Whether it is a downtown sidewalk, the Paint Creek Trail, Rochester Municipal Park or a neighborhood sidewalk, people are walking, biking or running in and around the City every day.”

The Rochester book is available at:

Lytle Pharmacy: 340 Main Street; Rochester, Michigan 48307
Haig’s of Rochester Fine Jewelry: 311 Main Street; Rochester, Michigan 48307

The book can also be ordered from CityPhotos or Amazon, but we encourage you to buy the book locally if possible.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Rochester Area Youth Assistance. We thank Mr. Arroyo for both a beautiful book highlighting our great town as well as his generous offer to donate a portion of the proceeds to RAYA!

Our Thanks

RAYA Staff — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:54:14 +0000

RAYA would like to extend a thank you to all members of the community who turned out to support us at the Celebrity Server event at the Rochester Hills Big Boy.

The event was a great success and the monies collected will be put back into the community to strengthen our youth and families.

Special thanks to all of the workers and especially our celebrity servers who helped make the event a great success.

Celebrity Server Fundraiser

RAYA Staff — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:12:33 +0000

On May 19, 2009 we will be having a fundraising dinner at the Big Boy restaurant on Rochester Rd. at M-59.

Date & Time: Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Big Boy: 3756 S. Rochester Rd at M-59; Rochester Hills, MI
Phone: (248) 852-5540

Proceeds from the dinner, which includes all cash tips left by customers as well as 10% of the entire evening dine in and carry out proceeds, will be donated to RAYA.

Your dinner will be served to you by a local celebrity. Take this opportunity to have a great meal, rub elbows with local celebrities, and donate to a great cause! In addition to dinner, there will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a traditional raffle with some great prizes.

Please pass the word to your friends and family and save the date. Your participation is crucial to having a successfull event!

RAYA Rolls Out New Website

RAYA Staff — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:33:31 +0000

Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) is pleased to announced the roll out of our new website. Please take a look around and stop back often to see what’s new in our community.

Special thanks to David Zemens of 1955 Design for providing the website development, registration and hosting.