Aum Foundation

Meet the newest cohort of future leaders, changemakers, and unstoppable young women. 💫

This year, 65 incredible girls are beginning their journey with the Aum Foundation, a journey filled with growth, mentorship, leadership, sisterhood, and opportunity. We can’t wait to watch them discover their strengths, build confidence, and step boldly into their futures.

Here’s to a year of learning, dreaming bigger, and becoming. 💙

A new group of Aum girls has officially begun their journey, and now we’re looking for women in our community ready to pour into the next generation.

Right now, we are actively recruiting mentors for our 2026–2027 cohort.

Our girls are preparing for college, careers, leadership, and life after high school. Many simply need someone consistent in their corner, someone to encourage them, guide them, and remind them of what they’re capable of.

Mentorship doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to make an impact in your community, this is your sign to step forward.

Help us ensure every girl is matched with a mentor this year. 💛

Apply today through the link in our bio or contact us for more information.

Hi! We’re looking for volunteers for our New Student Orientation on Sunday, May 17, from 2:00–4:00 PM.

We need at least 6 more volunteers, you will be paired in teams of two and will lead a group of 10–11 girls through a series of fun games and icebreakers. This will be a great opportunity to connect with the new 2026–2027 students.

It’s going to be a fun, interactive afternoon, and we’d love to have you there! Please use the link below to sign up. I’ll follow up with everyone who signs up.

Thank you so much for all that you do to support our girls. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Student Orientation Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

✨ Alumni Spotlight: Tuchondria S. Smith ✨

“I took a lot away from Aum, mainly the ACT prep that was provided. As a first-generation student, I was really unaware of how important the ACT was when it came to getting scholarships.”

Thanks to her hard work and determination, Tuchondria earned a full-tuition scholarship, an achievement she credits in part to the support she received through the Aum Foundation.

“Aum really played a huge role in my success. They taught me to never give up and to always create my own destiny.”

Tuchondria also shared the impact of mentorship on her journey:
“My mentor, Ms. Claudinette, gave me a better insight into mechanical engineering, which led to me joining the program here. She also continues to send me internship opportunities.”

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Tuchondria and her recognition as Alabama State University’s 2025–2026 Student of the Year. Her journey reflects the power of perseverance, mentorship, and believing in your own potential.

Read More:
https://alasu.edu/administration/institutional-effectiveness/marketing-and-strategic-communications/newsroom/news-april-2026-T.-Smith.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawRdu55leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFidVNMZllOZzk0Q1J3Q1Jlc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrdtG3t-tTamUAmEbu0gTMRGptof215i-XMurszqT-TUP2oa122Ymka5pTMr_aem_A4qcbieKnDhYdU3OdLV9Sg

We’re incredibly grateful to Google Fiber for investing in our mission through a generous grant, made possible in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. Their support helps us continue creating opportunities, expanding access, and empowering the next generation of leaders in our community. Thank you for believing in the power of education, mentorship, and impact. 💙

On April 12th, we gathered to celebrate a meaningful milestone in the Aum journey, honoring the growth, dedication, and transformation of our students.

This year reflected the full strength of our programming in action. Our Pathway 2 Opportunity juniors advanced into Pathway 2 Success, taking an important step forward in their academic and personal development. Our Pathway 2 Success seniors graduated from high school and are now preparing to enter college, continuing their journey with Aum through our Pathway to Empowerment program as they transition into higher education.

We are especially proud of the way our students continue to grow within Aum’s support system, moving through each pathway with intention, resilience, and momentum toward their future.

A heartfelt thank you to our keynote speaker, Dr. Belinda Savage Edwards, Aum Board Member, for delivering such an inspiring and empowering address. Her words set the tone for the day and reminded our students of their strength, potential, and purpose.

We also want to thank Mentor Tinesha Ross for sharing powerful reflections on mentorship and the importance of guidance, consistency, and being poured into along the journey.

To our donors, your support is not abstract. It is visible in moments like this: in every student who walks across a stage, in every transition into college, and in every young woman who continues forward believing in what is possible because someone invested in her future.

And to our families, mentors, and community, you are the foundation that makes this work sustainable and real.

April 12th was more than a graduation. It was a celebration of progression, community, and the continued impact of Aum.

Last Wednesday’s community breakfast was a reminder of what makes Aum so special, people showing up, pouring into one another, and believing in the next generation.

New faces, familiar support, and a shared commitment to empowering our girls. This is how change begins.

Stormy weather didn’t stop the village. 🌧️🍕🍷

Tuesday night our mentors showed up to the office for a Mentor Mingle! Pizza, wine, and a whole lot of heart. Together, they wrapped tablets and laptops that will be gifted to our graduating girls next month.

It’s easy to talk about “the village,” but moments like this remind us it’s real. We’re so grateful for a community that shows up with love, generosity, and a willingness to support the next generation.

We’re proud to share that our Executive Director, Mary Shirley-Howell, has been featured in the March Movers & Shakers by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

Mary’s leadership continues to guide the Aum Foundation as we expand opportunities for young women through mentorship, education, and community support.

Congratulations, Mary, on this well-deserved recognition. We’re excited for what’s ahead.