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Children Rising – We Did It!

By Eric Steckel
August 9, 2019

We are Children Rising!

Last night, Faith Network of the East Bay embarked on an exciting new chapter. After long months of thoughtful consideration, and many more months of planning, we are excited to announce that as of today, we are Children Rising!

Many have asked: Why are We changing our name? Simply put, it’s crucial that our name truly captures the soul of our organization. We are all about empowering more children to rise above the substantial challenges they face, created by generations of poverty, violence and educational inequity.

Jim Wambach and Randy Roth introduce Children Rising

Jim Wambach and Randy Roth raise the curtain on Children Rising, an exciting new chapter in our story.

A celebration of our children rising!

We hosted a special event at Warehouse 416 in Oakland to reveal our new name and logo. We enjoyed reconnecting with many of our long-serving tutors, teachers, and school administrators. Entertainment included a performance by the young stars of Prescott Circus Theatre, an entertaining circus and theater arts education program in Oakland.

The highlight of the evening was the big reveal, which did not disappoint. When Jim Wambach, our executive director, pointed to the screen with our new name and logo, “ohs” and “ahs” quickly turned to applause.

“The new name and logo will help us rapidly and effectively generate interest about the struggling students in our community schools. It should inspire the community to come alongside a child so they may rise to their God-given potential.” – Jim Wambach, executive director, Children Rising

Prescott Circus Theatre

The young stars of Prescott Circus Theatre, an entertaining circus and theater arts education program in Oakland, performed for our guests.

The decision to change our name was a big one, of course. However, as Randy Roth, founder and former executive director, pointed out, it was definitely the right time.

Our launch event was a celebration of our Children Rising

Our launch event was a celebration of our Children Rising

“The idea to change the name was brought up repeatedly over the years,” Randy said. “I suspected a new name would help us better inform people about what our great organization does for the children in our community. I’m delighted that we finally had the courage to make the change. Children Rising indeed!”

That remark brought more applause!

“In order to serve thousands of more children, we will need many more community volunteers – and our new name must clearly represent our passion and mission for empowering the vulnerable children and youth in the East Bay– the wonderful students in our neighborhood schools that we serve,” Jim said in his remarks.

“Our name should elicit emotion and compassion from the community for the many children who are struggling in our own backyard. And it should also inspire a strong desire within the community to learn more and then to raise a hand in support of a child.”

Tutors, teachers, and administrators mingled over appetizers and wine.

Tutors, teachers, and administrators mingled over appetizers and wine.

We truly believe that Children Rising does that!

Help us spread the word!

As we move forward together, we have a lot more work to do. In addition to coming alongside the many children and youth in our community schools, we need to spread the word about our new name. Please let us know if you would like to participate in some fashion in the coming weeks and months to help us spread the word – for the children.

Help us spread the word about Children Rising! There is still so much to do to help vulnerable children in our community!

Help us spread the word about Children Rising! There is still so much to do to help vulnerable children in our community!

We also encourage you to visit our all-new website to learn more: www.Children-Rising.org

YES, I CAN help Children Rising spread the word. Let’s talk!

I want to help Children Rising spread the word!

 I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs!

Why Are We Changing Our Name?

By Jim Wambach
August 8, 2019

What’s in a name?

As we raise the curtain on an exciting next chapter in our story, it’s crucial that our name truly captures the soul of our organization.

Simply put – it’s all about empowering more children to rise above the substantial challenges they face, created by generations of poverty, violence, and educational inequity. As we know, thousands of neighborhood children need caring adults to come alongside them so they may reach their God-given potential. Despite the profound difference we are making in the lives of hundreds of children each year, there is so much more we would like to do.  

The Faith Network name has served us well since 2001. In the beginning, the name described who we are and what we did. We are faith-inspired and believe in the power of enabling the entire community, people of good will, to become a network of support for the schools who were, and still are, desperate for help from the community for the children.  

The network continued to expand, supported largely by the tremendous local churches whose members have volunteered year after year to help the children and youth in a variety of ways. Eventually, our programs became more proficient and focused. First Succeeding by Reading, then Health4Kids, CareerBridge, and Path2Math. We learned the pivotal importance of providing foundational skills and personal confidence to vulnerable elementary school students and high school youth. Thus empowered, these students are given the chance they deserve to learn, grow, and succeed in elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond.  

A generational impact on our community

All about empowering more children to rise above the substantial challenges they face

The rebranding initiative coincides with a recent four-year strategic plan, launched in October 2018. The plan was created to address the approximately 1,800 Oakland Unified School District second-graders who will complete this school year substantially deficient in foundational reading and math skills. Our goal is to train 1,000 tutors who can assist 2,000 students by 2022. 

As we embark on a new chapter, we will build on our strong foundation. In order to serve thousands more children, more quickly, we believe our name should clearly speak to our passion and mission of empowering vulnerable children and youth – the wonderful students we serve. By changing our name, we will be able to more rapidly and effectively generate interest about the children in the broader community. With more initial interest, we can better inform and inspire our community about our work,
AND how they can join us to nurture and equip vulnerable children to rise to their
God-given potential. 

Children Rising

We envision a community where EVERY struggling child is reached by a caring community at a critical time in their life to nurture hope, the courage to dream, and the opportunity to thrive.

We encourage you learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities, and our bold four-year strategic plan. 

For the children,

Jim


YES, I CAN help transform a child’s life. Let’s talk!

 I want to be a tutor or mentor this school year. Tell me more!

 I want help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs.

I'm Interested in Volunteering and would like more information


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