The MIX Academy

Our Mission is to provide a safe place to be seen, known, and empowered through learning experiences and community development; to preserve the dignity of everyone by welcoming and embracing each other’s life histories and culture; and to build a more just community, a multicultural and multigenerational family.

Our Vision is to build a new woven society that sees, cares, and gives.

We opened our doors in 2014 after our founders, Maribel Toan and Lambert Lo, saw the need for a safe place for families to eat and play together in the evening.

After surveying the local community and getting input on what they would like to see, we have served hundreds of families, students, and those experiencing homelessness with free personal enrichment classes such as Visual Arts, Tutoring, Music, Martial Arts, Zumba, Mental Health Workshops, and Parenting Classes, taught by volunteer instructors.

Additionally, as a way to facilitate the inclusion of the whole family and the connection among all attendees, we began offering a weekly community dinner. For the last 9 years, we have fed over 116,000 people.

The program further aims to foster leadership development within participants; over 50% have returned to serve the community.

Outside of and during weekly programs, the MIX Academy is in partnership with Scholarship Prep, the charter school on campus, to provide supplemental support to students and their families.

The MIX Academy is dedicated to addressing the multifaceted needs of the Santa Ana community. Our overarching needs statement encompasses several key areas:

Educational Opportunities: Many residents, particularly youth, lack access to quality educational resources and opportunities. The MIX Academy aims to bridge this gap by providing a range of educational programs and activities that empower individuals to reach their full potential academically and professionally.

Mental Health Support: Mental health issues affect individuals of all ages in our community, yet access to affordable and culturally sensitive mental health services remains limited. The MIX Academy is committed to providing accessible mental health resources, including counseling services and workshops, to promote emotional well-being and resilience.

Food Insecurity: Food insecurity is a pervasive issue in Santa Ana, with many families struggling to access nutritious meals regularly. Through our food distribution programs and community dinners, The MIX Academy seeks to address hunger and promote food security for all residents.

Community Engagement and Empowerment: Building a strong sense of community and fostering active participation among residents is essential for addressing local challenges and creating positive change. The MIX Academy provides opportunities for community members to come together, share resources, and collaborate on solutions to common issues.

Volunteer Engagement and Development: Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of The MIX Academy's programs and initiatives. To maximize their impact, we prioritize volunteer engagement and development, providing training, support, and recognition to ensure a fulfilling and meaningful experience for all volunteers.

By addressing these fundamental needs, The MIX Academy strives to create a more equitable, resilient, and empowered community in Santa Ana.

One in five residents of the city of Santa Ana lacks the goods and services that guarantee their inclusion in society.

Every weekend, more than a million visitors come to experience the city's art, food, and culture, yet the city has its challenges. Santa Ana, Orange County, California, has a population of 332,318 inhabitants (2019)¹ of which 17.7% live below the poverty line. Being its rate significantly higher than that of the entire State of California (11.8%), as well as the country as a whole (10.5%).

Four out of every five students have an immigrant parent. About 76.6% of the total population are Hispanic or Latino. Many families face the obstacles of living in a dense urban environment with high rental rates, limited resources, few employment opportunities, and a strained school system.

As the Executive Director and Co-founder of The MIX Academy, I am deeply committed to serving the needs of our community in Santa Ana. Despite our best efforts, we recognize that there are still significant challenges facing many of our residents.

First and foremost, there is a pressing need for access to educational resources and opportunities, particularly for our youth. Many families in our community struggle to provide their children with the tools they need to succeed academically, leading to disparities in academic achievement and graduation rates.

Additionally, mental health issues continue to plague our community, exacerbated by economic hardship and social isolation. Too many individuals and families are suffering in silence, lacking access to affordable mental health services and support.

Food insecurity is another critical issue that cannot be ignored. Far too many of our neighbors go to bed hungry each night, unsure of where their next meal will come from. This not only impacts physical health but also takes a toll on mental well-being and overall quality of life.

Finally, while we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers supporting our programs, we recognize the need to provide them with adequate training and support to maximize their impact and ensure their continued engagement.

Considering these pressing needs, it is imperative that we secure the necessary funding and resources to expand and enhance our programs at The MIX Academy. With additional support, we can further our mission of providing educational, nutritional, and mental health support to all members of our community, creating a stronger, more resilient Santa Ana for generations to come.