Rochester Area Youth Assistance

04/10/2026

Celebrating Excellence: Meet Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients! 🎓✨

Last night at the Rochester Community Schools Foundation scholarship event, we had the distinct honor of awarding scholarships to two truly exceptional students: Ryan Ni and Karlina Stemmerich.

Ryan and Karlina represent the very best of our community. They aren't just high achievers; they are self-starting, gracious, and compassionate leaders who go above and beyond simply out of the kindness of their hearts. 🥰

We are incredibly proud to support their futures and even prouder of the impact they’ve already made right here in Rochester. 🌟

Congratulations, Ryan and Karlina! The future is bright because of students like you.

04/08/2026

Oakland County Sheriff's Office Marine Division Deputies will cover What You Need to Know About Water and Boat Safety!
📍Rochester Hills Public Library
🗓 May 12th
⏰ 7:00-8:00 pm
Join Us ~ Families welcome. 🚤🛟⚓️🦺

Brought to you by the Ashleigh Iserman Boating Safety Foundation and sponsored by Rochester Area Youth Assistance.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! 🐰🥰

Enjoy your day with family and friends!

04/02/2026

Summer hiring with the City of Rochester Hills- Government! Take a look below for opportunities! 👇

03/25/2026

Oakland County residents may be eligible for emergency relief through the Hardship Assistance Program, offered in partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan. See if your family qualifies below. 👇

💧 Need Help with Your Water or Sewer Bill? 💧

Oakland County residents may be eligible for emergency relief through the Hardship Assistance Program, offered in partnership with United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

✔️ Up to $2,000 in assistance
✔️ Help with current bills, past-due balances, or essential plumbing repairs
✔️ Quick application — 15 minutes or less

You may qualify if you:
• Live in Oakland County
• Use municipal water/sewer services

Examples of hardship include:
• Job loss or temporary unemployment
• Medical expenses due to illness or injury
• Divorce or other unexpected financial challenges

📊 Income guidelines (monthly examples):
• Family of 4: up to $8,000
• 2-person household: up to $5,300
• Single person: up to $3,900

👉 Not sure if you qualify? Apply anyway. Eligibility is flexible.

⏳ Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

📞 Need help? Call 844-211-4994 (Mon–Thurs, 9 AM–4 PM)

This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Oakland County.

03/19/2026

Congratulations to Stoney Creek senior Karlina Stemmerich who has been honored with a Rochester Area Youth Assistance (RAYA) Scholarship. Karlina is a high-achieving student and AP Capstone scholar who participates in HOSA, the Psychology Club, Neuroscience Club, Red Cross Club, Rotary, debate and the French National Honor Society. She is also a lacrosse player and volunteers through NHS and Key Club. We applaud Karlina for making a difference in our community!👏

03/18/2026

We have more photos from our wonderful event on Monday!
✨ Celebrating and recognizing students in our community who have positively impacted others. Congratulations to all of our honored RCS students! 🥰

👏 Thank you to our guest speaker, Maria Willet, and to The Rochester High School Sanguine Sax Quartet who performed for us! We appreciated all of the dignitaries who also helped us celebrate: Debbie Jones Rochester City Mayor, Senator Michael Webber, Rochester Hills City Council member Bradley Limburg and Nancy Salvia - Rochester City Council.

A big thank you to our local businesses who sponsored the event:
Nothing Bundt Cakes, Busch's Fresh Food Market, Pixley Funeral Home (Vern Pixley), Cold Stone Creamery and the event space ~ Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.

Photo credit to ~ Darren Pullins 📸

03/17/2026

📣 What a wonderful event we had celebrating and recognizing students in our community who have positively impacted others. Congratulations to all of our honored RCS students!

🎉 Special thanks to David Walker who emceed the event, Nick Russo who shared info about each recipient, and Maria Jean Willett who gave a phenomenal keynote address. 🥰 This event wouldn't be possible without the hard work of several people on the RAYA Board who planned and organized the event (Lindsay Fantini Wood, Debbie Jones Rochester City Mayor, Jennifer Cordon Thor, Laura Bagley, Darrett Pullins, Amy Sullivan, Mihaela Becker, Michelle Bueltel, and everyone else who helped), your work is amazing!
Thank you to all of those who attended! 👏

03/12/2026

Great opportunity for high school students to apply to introduce an author for the Author's in April banquet! Check out all the details below and apply by March 14th. 📖📚

Authors in April is looking for high school students to introduce the authors at this year's banquet. See below for more details.

03/12/2026

Opportunity to hear more about Public Service careers tonight! More information below!

TOMORROW! Lead the way! Students are invited to discover more about careers in public service at a virtual presentation hosted by the Rochester Community PTA Council THIS THURSDAY, March 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Hear from panelists including a Peace Corps volunter, assistant attorney general, nonprofit leader, forensic investigator, state PTA respresentative and more!

Register using the QR code or this link: https://ow.ly/43vP50YrnWG.

This convenient virtual career fair is for middle school and high school students.

03/05/2026

Great local opportunity to check out FREE Prom Dresses, clink the link to register! 👇