This year, the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBISDCAAA) adopted the sixth grade class at Monarch School as part of the FBI’s Adopt-A-School community outreach program. As part of the program, on December 14, 2016, the FBISDCAAA hosted a holiday party at the school to bring some holiday cheer to the class of 25 students. In addition, FBISDCAAA purchased gifts for the sixth graders, based upon wish lists prepared by the children. It is likely these items will be the only gifts these homeless children will receive this holiday season. The FBISDCAAA was honored to make the holidays brighter by fulfilling the wishes of these students.

What is Monarch School?

Monarch is a K-12 school designed to educate homeless youth. The school’s motto is “Education, Opportunity, Transformation.” The school is located at 1625 Newton Avenue, San Diego, California. For more information regarding the Monarch School, please visit their website at: http://monarchschool.com.

What is the FBI Citizens Academy?

The FBI Citizens Academy is one of the many FBI community outreach programs that focuses on educating the communities it serves. The Academy gives select business, civic, and religious leaders a rare behind the scenes look inside the FBI. The purpose of the Academy, which is held once a week for eight to 10 weeks at the San Diego FBI field office, is to educate the community and dispel myths in order to enhance trust and confidence in the FBI.

What is the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association?

After completing the Citizens Academy, graduates are invited to join the alumni association to continue their education and support of the FBI’s mission through its community outreach efforts and programs. FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBISDCAAA) is our local alumni chapter who is very active in our community. This holiday event at Monarch School is an excellent example of the FBISDCAAA outreach in our community.

In support of the FBISDCAAA, San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Eric Birnbaum attended the event and helped distribute the gifts, cards and stockings to these exceptional sixth graders. SAC Eric Birnbaum commented, “The FBI is grateful to the FBISDCAAA for their role in making a difference in the lives of these children and the commitment to important community based work throughout the year.”

As part of its Adopt-A-School community outreach program, the FBI San Diego Division has held a Junior Special Agent class at Monarch School each year since 2014. In addition, the San Diego FBI employees routinely donate clothing and toiletries to the Monarch School Butterfly Boutique which provides each student with clothing and basic necessities throughout the year.

Photographs from the event will be available upon request.