Monarch School

Creating Transformation

By Erica Rascón on May 13, 2019 in Giving

The safety of home provides children with a foundation for personal, academic, and professional success. When youth face housing insecurity, the odds are stacked against them. Monarch School provides young minds with the stability and resources needed to thrive against all odds.

About Monarch School

More than 30 years ago, Monarch School began as a one-room education center in San Diego. Today, it has expanded into a K-12 comprehensive school designed to educate homeless youth. The need is great. San Diego County has an estimated 23,000 students facing housing insecurity.

Homelessness is a predecessor to many challenges, including but not limited to psychological problems and academic struggles. Roughly 75 percent of homeless students never earn a high school diploma. As a result, homeless youth face barriers to professional and personal success. They are also more likely to face housing insecurity as adults.

Monarch School equips students with the skills and tools needed to beat those odds.

“Monarch School provides stability and a quality education during the most difficult time of their family’s life: homelessness,” explains Tyler Dalsted, technical account manager, consulting practices at Yardi. “One student said, in the evening when they faced gangs, violence, and uncertainty, they were able to find stability and confidence in their education from breakfast through dinner at Monarch School. Yardi made a difference in supporting this wonderful cause.”

Raise Up for Monarch

Dalsted, along with fellow Yardi employee Kevin Yim, attended Raise Up for Monarch. The annual event raises funds for school programming.

Raise Up for Monarch begins with a self-guided tour of classrooms where guests can view student projects, artwork, and other curricula. Guest can then tour the Butterfly Boutique, a store environment where the students are given vouchers to acquire new and gently used clothes, shoes and supplies. Butterfly Boutique offers a retail environment where the students are able to “shop” in a way that reflects their personality and interests.

After the tours, guests are treated to hors d’oeuvres, small plates, and entertainment presented by the school’s talented pupils and graduates. Alumni also attended to share their stories of triumph over adversity.

The crowning moment came during the presentation of a scholarship worth $10,000 to Monarch School graduate. The scholarship will allow the student to pursue a master’s degree at the University of San Diego.

Yardi + The Butterfly Boutique

The program concluded with an auction-style fundraiser. The unnamed “angel donor” of the evening matched all donations dollar-for-dollar. With contributions from attendees and organizations like Yardi, the school raised $1.9 million!

The funds will give students the opportunity to learn outside of a classroom setting and experience hands-on learning.

“Yardi’s support will help students to engage in field trips throughout the year such as San Diego Zoo, Reuben Fleet Museum, Catalina Science Camp, and Grad Night. Yardi’s contribution will help support ticket, food, and transportation costs,” said Allie Peterson, volunteer coordinator.

For Dalsted, it was a night to remember. Yardi’s contribution to Rise Up for Monarch illustrates a consistent theme in the company’s culture.

“Yardi is committed to making a difference in all communities that we serve. We don’t do it for notoriety. We do it because it is simply the right thing to do,” said Dalsted.  “Yardi Community Involvement Committees conduct thoughtful research and weigh our options to maximize impact.  I am proud to serve the greater San Diego community on behalf of Yardi!”

Yardi is Energized for Good! Join us! Donate to Monarch School.