{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy","outOfStateSupporters":35.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9340670,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our library with the gift of new graphic novels and manga titles! Your generosity is making a meaningful difference for our students, especially those who are learning English as their second language.\r\n\r\nGraphic novels and manga are more than just popular reads—they are powerful learning tools. Because the text is paired with rich illustrations, students are less overwhelmed by words on a page and can use the visuals to follow and enjoy the story. This format not only supports language development but also builds confidence and excitement for reading. For many of my students, these books are the gateway that opens a lifelong love of literacy.\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, limited budgets make it difficult to keep up with the most up-to-date and well-reviewed titles that students are asking for. Thanks to your support, our library is able to stay current and ensure that every child who walks through our doors can find books that reflect their interests and meet their needs.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our school community, thank you for investing in literacy and for helping us create a welcoming, inclusive library for all students. Your generosity is giving them stories to connect with, characters to inspire them, and the joy of seeing themselves as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1752985209397,"projectUrl":"project/library-new-books-manga-and-graphic-no/9340670/","projectTitle":"Library: New Books (Manga and Graphic Novels)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9367059,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our library through the addition of new books! Because of you, our students now have access to the most up-to-date, engaging, and well-reviewed titles available. Your support is helping us create a space where every student can find a book that excites, challenges, and inspires them.\r\n\r\nToo often, limited budgets make it difficult to keep our collection current, which means students may miss out on the books they are most eager to read. With your help, that gap is closing. Already, students are asking about these new series and eagerly checking out books that align with their interests. By ensuring that these titles are available, you are helping us keep students active and engaged in reading—one of the most powerful tools for learning and growth.\r\n\r\nI know firsthand the difference that the right book can make at the right time. My own life was shaped by the books I discovered in my school library. Without them, I truly believe I would be a completely different person. Now, thanks to your support, our students will have that same chance to discover stories and ideas that will stay with them for a lifetime.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our students and our school community, thank you for investing in literacy and for believing in the power of books. Your generosity is opening doors, inspiring imaginations, and building futures.","fullyFundedDate":1752506431423,"projectUrl":"project/library-books-dork-diaries-complete-se/9367059/","projectTitle":"Library Books: Dork Diaries (Complete Set)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9241546,"letterContent":"On behalf of Garcia YMLA, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support in helping us add a game and activity station to our school library. What may seem like a simple addition is already making a lasting impact on our students.\r\n\r\nThe station has provided far more than just entertainment. Many of the games encourage planning, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, which align with the skills our students need for both academic success and real-world challenges. Students are also learning important social skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership through multiplayer games and collaborative activities.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the game station has become a safe space for students to decompress and recharge, especially during stressful times like exams. It fosters resilience and patience, teaching them that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Even more importantly, it has become a place of connection—a community hub where students who may not otherwise interact can come together. The inclusivity of the games ensures that learners of all backgrounds and abilities can participate and feel valued.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has transformed our library into not just a place for reading and research, but also a vibrant environment that supports the whole student—academically, socially, and emotionally. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our students' growth and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1746787299373,"projectUrl":"project/library-game-activity-station/9241546/","projectTitle":"Library: Game/ Activity Station","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":7722054,"projectId":9127109,"letterContent":"We appreciate you being our sponsor and donating two colored printers, colored paper, colored card stock, and snacks for our students at Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy. They have improved student learning in a major way! The printers give students a balance of paper assignments in addition to using technology. Students now have a color option. They are experiencing great hands-on activities and it drives the content they are consuming. The donated materials offer printed sheets to help students organize their notebooks. Every student on campus has a binder with tabs where we are teaching them organization strategies. The printed sheets come in handy and you will see in the photos. \r\n\r\nThe English Language Arts classes are currently studying figurative language and I was able to print up a colorful \"figurative language fortune-teller\". In the photos you will see them using them and interacting with one another. It's a fun origami way for them to practice some examples of metaphors, similes, hyperbole, and personification. Students need that differentiation in the classroom and they had a blast playing with the \"figurative language fortune tellers\"! \r\n\r\nThe snacks are ALWAYS a major thing with students and many of them expressed it in their thank you notes. I want to express how thankful I am for your donation and want to assure you that my students are positively impacted for certain. THANK YOU SO MUCH! :-)","fullyFundedDate":1749615855607,"projectUrl":"project/fired-up-boombastic-literacy/9127109/","projectTitle":"Fired Up! Boombastic! Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sterling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erica-sterling"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9015634,"letterContent":"We have a huge population of students on our campus who are learning English. Because they are not fluent, they often will choose to avoid reading because most of our books are in English, and its hard to read in a foreign language. Now that we have books in Spanish, we have dramatically increased our library circulation and have reached a target audience that was previously neglected. Thank you for bringing books in Spanish to our campus!\r\n\r\nThese new books have become the lifeblood to not only our library but our whole campus. Kids are now reading again, in the hallways, at lunch, before school, etc. I am overjoyed to report that I even have a few kids that ended up with a small scolding for reading in class instead of doing their classroom assignments (that's how you know its a good series!)\r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1738977952961,"projectUrl":"project/library-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-spanish/9015634/","projectTitle":"Library: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Spanish)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9064419,"letterContent":"You have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading. For a number of years, our library has been without a librarian; and that has created its own set of struggles. Primary among them, is that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe!\r\n\r\nThese new books have become the lifeblood to not only our library but our whole campus. Kids are now reading again, in the hallways, at lunch, before school, etc. I am overjoyed to report that I even have a few kids that ended up with a small scolding for reading in class instead of doing their classroom assignments (that's how you know its a good series!)\r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1738004544299,"projectUrl":"project/library-dog-man-captain-underpants-b/9064419/","projectTitle":"Library: Dog Man & Captain Underpants (Book Series)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9067273,"letterContent":"You have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading. For a number of years, our library has been without a librarian; and that has created its own set of struggles. Primary among them, is that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe!\r\n\r\nThese new books have become the lifeblood to not only our library but our whole campus. Kids are now reading again, in the hallways, at lunch, before school, etc. I am overjoyed to report that I even have a few kids that ended up with a small scolding for reading in class instead of doing their classroom assignments (that's how you know its a good series!)\r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1737579954541,"projectUrl":"project/library-dragon-ball-z-manga-book-serie/9067273/","projectTitle":"Library: Dragon Ball Z (Manga Book Series)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9064357,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for supporting our school library! \r\n\r\nThe new Mob Psycho 100 series has been big hit with our kids. Its almost comical how infectious the joy of reading has started to become on our campus. The kids now have their teachers coming into the library to checkout the same series that they are enjoying. Our teachers and students are all engaged in the various Manga series that have been donated. And now they are working on me and asking when I am going to start the series as well! \r\n\r\nI am excited to see our kids excited about books. Watching them develop a love for literature has been both amazing and, because of our budget constraints, a struggle. \r\n\r\nOur school is on the east side of town, in what has traditionally been considered the poorer neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there is not a public library close enough for our students to attend with regularity. Add to that, our school librarian position has been vacant for a number of years. And so, the only reading that was being done was at the behest of a teacher as part of a lesson. The disastrous results have been that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe! \r\n\r\nBut not any more!!!\r\n\r\nYou have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading, for all of my students. They are excited to read and are now getting in trouble for sneaking into their books when they should be working on an assignment. \r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1737328488222,"projectUrl":"project/library-mob-pyscho-100-manga-book-seri/9064357/","projectTitle":"Library: Mob Pyscho 100 (Manga Book Series)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9015647,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for supporting our school library! \r\n\r\nThe new Blue Lock series has been extremely popular with our kids, to the point that they have demanded that I preorder the next 2 books in the series that come out in April and June. In the age of video games and cell phones, this is a win! \r\n\r\nI am excited to see our kids excited about books. Watching them develop a love for literature has been both amazing and, because of our budget constraints, a struggle. \r\n\r\nOur school is on the east side of town, in what has traditionally been considered the poorer neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there is not a public library close enough for our students to attend with regularity. Add to that, our school librarian position has been vacant for a number of years. And so, the only reading that was being done was at the behest of a teacher as part of a lesson. The disastrous results have been that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe! \r\n\r\nBut not any more!!!\r\n\r\nYou have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading, for all of my students. They are excited to read and are now getting in trouble for sneaking into their books when they should be working on an assignment. \r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1735246613512,"projectUrl":"project/library-blue-lock-manga-book-series/9015647/","projectTitle":"Library: Blue Lock (Manga Book Series)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":7722054,"projectId":8947007,"letterContent":"First of all, I am so appreciative of the STEM Classroom donated items for my students here at Garcia YMLA. All of the items have been very beneficial to my students and I in various ways. We were given two Connect 4 type games, two Giant Tumbling Tower Block Games, two Checkers/ Tic-Tac-Toe games, two 30 pack sets of Classroom Headphone sets, and a DOOGEE Rugged Tablet. All of the items are being put to great use. \r\nThe games are encouraging STEM skills while getting my students engaged with one another and helping their turn-taking skills. Many of my students did not know how to play Checkers as they have only been exposed to video games. So, this is giving them real-world experience with a classic board game that they can carry forward in the future. The block games and connect 4 type games encourage their team building strategies, social, communication, healthy competition, and analytical skills. The games are a nice alternative to their usual video games and provide tactile/ hands-on use. My campus has an all-boys population and some of them desire to pursue skilled trades as a future career. These games are a great way for them to have fun, use hand and eye coordination while applying strategies to win a game. They are learning some project management as a STEM skill while playing these games especially while using the Towering Blocks games. \r\nThe STEM Classroom headphones and Doogee Rugged Tablet have been helpful and much needed. As a Special Education Teacher, I teach social skills, support ELA classes, and campus testing. I actually split the headphones (60 total) up between my class/ students (30), our 6th (10) and 7th (10) grade English Language Arts teachers, and our campus-wide testing (10) materials. I noticed that we did not have enough working headphones. So, I asked for the donation due to our current ones being very old, falling apart, and mostly not working. I added a photo of some students using them during testing. The Doogee Tablet is great technology and is a helpful alternative to my heavier laptop making task management easier. \r\nWhen my students first saw the materials they were excited! They enjoy playing the games and using the headphones as much as possible. We often play the games in the mornings during our Advisory period which is the first 40 minutes each day. They are taking good care of the items and I am glad that I was able to receive them. My next steps will be for me to attach academic vocabulary and other relative questions to the games. I will share the games with my colleagues to use in their classrooms and further stir up STEM skills among our student body. I have discussed these suggestions with my colleagues and they are willing to incorporate the STEM Classroom/ games into their classrooms. I am grateful for the donations to Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy as we encourage STEM skills/ focus with our students. \r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1732652938023,"projectUrl":"project/title-outdoor-stem/8947007/","projectTitle":"Title (Outdoor STEM)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sterling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erica-sterling"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9008553,"letterContent":"The new Dog Man books are extremely popular with kids everywhere and the English copies have been flying off my library shelves. In the age of video games, getting kids excited about books has been amazing and it has been a struggle. On my campus, almost 70% of our students are bilingual and most of my students do not speak English as their first language. This unfortunately has left a big population of my campus feeling left out... until today!\r\n\r\nIt has been my goal for our students to be able to walk into my library and find the their favorite series available to them, both in English and Spanish! To remove the language component and allow for students to read in the language they use at home, Spanish, has done wonders for keeping books in their hands! \r\n\r\nYou have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading, for all of my students - both the English and Spanish speakers alike!\r\n\r\nFor a number of years, our library has been without a librarian; and that has created its own set of struggles. Primary among them, is that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe! \r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1734712097133,"projectUrl":"project/library-dog-man-books-spanish/9008553/","projectTitle":"Library: Dog Man Books (Spanish)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"},{"teacherId":9875173,"projectId":9008740,"letterContent":"For a number of years, our library has been without a librarian; and that has created its own set of struggles. Primary among them, is that our kids see reading as a chore or classroom assignment instead of an adventure into another universe! \r\n\r\nI have tried to introduce a new series each month as part of the revitalization of our campus library. So far, this series, One Piece, has been the student's favorite for the year! With your help, you have played a tremendous part in bringing back the joy of reading. \r\n\r\nThese new books have become the lifeblood to not only our library but our whole campus. Kids are now reading again, in the hallways, at lunch, before school, etc. I am overjoyed to report that I even have a few kids that ended up with a small scolding for reading in class instead of doing their classroom assignments (that's how you know its a good series!) \r\n\r\nI personally know how a good book or series, at that critical adolescent age in middle school, can change everything! And so, I eagerly await the results that I know are coming and I look forward to seeing the long term impact that these books will have!\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our 300 students, teachers, and staff thank you so very much! I am personally very grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1734712096721,"projectUrl":"project/library-one-piece-book-series-box-set/9008740/","projectTitle":"Library: One Piece Book Series (Box Set 2 & 3)","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Mullins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coachmullins"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94138","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":253,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":83,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"6.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.7,"schoolId":94138,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/austin-independent-school-district/garcia-middle-school/94138"}