Blog

A Circle of Care for a Challenging Time: Supporting Oakland Children and Families

By Marshelle
March 30, 2026

You help Oakland children thrive through a Circle of Care, which brings literacy support, mentoring, family engagement, and community partnership together.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”—Coretta Scott King

It is a privilege and responsibility to step into the role of Executive Director. I am grateful for the legacy of care and community partnership that has shaped this organization for decades. As volunteers, donors, partners, and friends, you have been part of that story. You have helped thousands of Oakland children feel seen, supported, and encouraged to believe in themselves.

Your partnership has never been more important.

Families are navigating an increasingly complex educational landscape. Schools face budget pressures that threaten programs supporting literacy, mentoring, and student wellness. Many families face economic strain and housing instability, with limited academic support outside the classroom. For children already marginalized, these challenges can quickly put school success at risk.

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Join a Giving Gathering and see how your support helps a child overcome learning challenges and grow in reading, math, and confidence.

Yes, save my spot today!

This moment calls for more than concern. It calls for collaboration.

Our Circle of Care programs are rooted in the belief that children thrive when a community surrounds them with encouragement, resources, and opportunity. My vision is to expand that circle by inviting you to deepen your engagement in four meaningful ways:

Time: Step into a child’s life through volunteerism, reading with a student, mentoring, or supporting classroom enrichment.

Talent: Offer your expertise—education, technology, finance, administration, counseling, or fund or program development—to strengthen systems supporting children.

Treasure: Invest resources that enable programs to continue reaching children who rely on them for academic support and encouragement.

Ties: Open your networks so that the circle grows wider and stronger.

My vision is to deepen partnerships with faith organizations near the schools we serve. These communities are deeply committed to service and compassion. I believe congregations can play a powerful role by “adopting” a neighborhood school, mobilizing volunteers, providing resources, and becoming an extension of the village it truly takes to raise a child.

We seek partnerships with corporate teams, civic and service organizations, and educational institutions committed to equity and opportunity.

You can expand the reach and impact of our Circle of Care programs.

By surrounding children with compassion, guidance, and opportunity, you do more than meet their needs today—you help them grow into leaders and builders of a stronger tomorrow. Join us with your time, talent, treasure, or ties, so every child we serve is known, supported, and encouraged to rise.

Yes, I can help nurture children in a Circle of Care!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring and family engagement programs!

Care When a Family Needed It Most

By Eric Steckel
March 26, 2026

With reading and math tutoring, Spanish-language updates, and FamilyBridge support, Alejandra’s family stayed informed, supported, and hopeful.

When Astrid Fernandez got a message in Spanish about her fourth-grade daughter Alejandra’s progress, she felt something she hadn’t had in a while: relief.

Astrid’s family moved from Petaluma to Oakland, so their young son could receive medical care. The transition brought new pressure for everyone—especially Alejandra, who had to adjust to a new school. Although Alejandra was significantly behind in reading and math skills when she arrived, she has begun to find her footing, including a couple of close friends. She also receives reading and math tutoring from Children Rising.

That steady connection is Children Rising’s Circle of Care: school, tutoring, and family support working together so a student doesn’t have to struggle alone.

“Alejandra is making great progress,” said Jim MacIlvaine, Children Rising’s on-site reading program coordinator. “She is always eager to attend tutoring, ready to learn. Her favorite part of tutoring is working with her tutor, Andie, and she takes great pride in learning new words and progressing in reading.”

“I didn’t always know what was happening at school—you help me understand how she’s doing.”

For Astrid, the consistent communication has mattered as much as the tutoring. Before, she worried Alejandra wasn’t getting the support she needed while the family focused on her brother’s recovery. Now, she receives regular updates about what Alejandra is learning and how she’s progressing. “When Alejandra is learning and happy, I am happy,” Astrid said.

When Astrid reached out to Tai at FamilyBridge about learning English, she wasn’t just looking for classes — she was looking for a way to better advocate for her daughter and stay connected to her learning. FamilyBridge shared updates in Spanish and connected Astrid to adult ESL options so she can feel more confident supporting Alejandra’s learning.

At home, Alejandra’s dad helps with homework—one more way the family is working together to support both children through a demanding season. In the Circle of Care, the child isn’t the only one supported. The family is, too, so even in a season of pressure and change, parents can feel informed and empowered, and students like Alejandra can keep moving forward, one new skill at a time.

Yes, I can help build bridges between home and school!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring and family engagement programs!

 

* Children Rising respects the privacy of our students. While all the stories we share are genuine and true, we change names and images as needed to protect student privacy.

When Service Becomes a Calling

By Eric Steckel
March 24, 2026

A few hours a week as a tutor became something deeper—and led Julie Wu to a classroom of her own.

Julie Wu didn’t set out to become a teacher. After years of working in the business finance world, she stepped away and became deeply involved in her children’s schools. When they moved into middle school, she began asking a new question: What’s next?

“Living here in the Bay Area, there’s a lot of inequality—and a lot of students don’t get the kind of consistent support that helps them build skills and confidence.”

Wu wanted to offer her “time, talent, and attention” where it could matter.

“A lot of students don’t get the kind of consistent support that helps them build skills and confidence.”

After joining Piedmont Community Church in 2018, she began to feel a gentle, persistent nudge—an invitation to bring her time and attention to children who rarely receive enough of either. At PCC, Children Rising shared an opportunity to serve: volunteer tutoring in Oakland public schools.

Discover how precious your gift can be

Join a Giving Gathering and see how your support helps a child overcome learning challenges and grow in reading, math, and confidence.

Yes, save my spot today!

For Julie, it felt like a door opening. “Just a couple hours a week in the afternoon—I could do that.” Children Rising matched her with a student, provided the structure and materials, and Wu began tutoring week after week.

“I started tutoring with low expectations, and it turned into a passion for serving kids with special needs in low-income areas.”

Near the end of that first year, as she questioned the impact she’d made, one quiet student handed her a card. The message was simple: “Thank you for coming here every week.” Wu had been searching for proof—data, outcomes, a clear measurement. Instead, she heard something more human: your presence matters.

What began as a practical commitment kept drawing her deeper. She considered pursuing private literacy instruction focused on dyslexia and the science of reading, but she couldn’t shake the pull toward children who wouldn’t have access to that kind of support. So she chose the road guided by conviction, not convenience: Oakland public schools.

Julie completed a teacher residency and now teaches special education at Franklin Elementary School. “I feel like I’m supposed to be at Franklin,” she said. “I feel like I have a mission here.”

“I feel like I have a mission here. I started tutoring with low expectations, and it turned into a passion for serving kids with special needs in low-income areas.”

At Franklin, Wu works in small groups and coordinated support systems designed to help students build skills and confidence over time. “Having one person that they can trust and be vulnerable with their insecurities…is huge,” she said—one part of the larger, collective work that schools, families, and partners do to support students who need it most.

Julie’s story echoes a shared theme: a simple yes—and the decision to keep showing up.

Your gift today helps tutors say “Yes”—and children learn critical reading and math skills!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring and family engagement programs!