Blog

Support Tutoring in Oakland: You Helped Keep Tutors Within Reach

By Marshelle
June 23, 2026

Because of friends like you, the gap has narrowed. Now Oakland children still need steady reading, math, and family support in the year ahead.

I am writing today with deep gratitude — and with a hopeful update.

A few weeks ago, I shared that Children Rising was facing a $200,000 shortfall. I was honest about what that could mean: fewer children receiving tutoring, fewer families supported through FamilyBridge, and fewer schools reached in the year ahead.

I never doubted the generosity of the Children Rising family. And because of friends like you, the gap is closing.

Today, we project the remaining shortfall to be about $65,000.

That is a remarkable step forward. I am deeply grateful for every person who has prayed, given, encouraged us, and helped protect this work for Oakland children.

But we are not finished yet.

Will you complete HER Circle of Care?

Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.

Yes, I want to uplift a child in school today!

June 30 is now just around the corner.

And while the gap is smaller, the stakes are still very real. About $65,000 still stands between where we are today and the tutoring, family support, and school partnerships we hope to sustain for children next year.

The families we serve can least afford for this support to disappear. Many are already carrying heavy burdens, and their children need steady reading, math, and family support before they fall further behind.

Because of you, children can keep learning with caring tutors beside them.

In our Spring 2026 newsletter, you will read about Hayden, a bright child who entered school after missing three years of formal classroom learning. He had a steep climb ahead. But because caring tutors kept showing up, Hayden began to grow. His mother has seen his progress and confidence in reading, and she hopes he can continue receiving support in the fall.

Hayden’s story shows what your kindness makes possible.

Children do not catch up alone. They need someone beside them.

They need encouragement, practice, and the Circle of Care surrounding their families. Your generosity helps make that possible for children like Hayden.

You have already helped bring this shortfall within reach. Now I am asking you to help us finish strong.

Will you please send a gift today to help close the remaining gap and keep tutoring, family support, and the Circle of Care strong for Oakland children?

Thank you for standing with Children Rising at such a meaningful moment. Your gift today will help ensure that more children receive the right help at the right time.

With gratitude, and for the children,

Marshelle A. Wilburn
Executive Director
Children Rising

Will you help close the remaining gap by June 30?

 I want to tutor a child in who needs help now!

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

 

The Right Help at the Right Time

By Marshelle
June 18, 2026

Why Your Support Matters Today

“Many things can wait. Children cannot.”— Gabriela Mistral

Hayden’s story stays with me because it shows what can happen when a child receives the right help at the right time.

After missing three years of formal classroom learning, Hayden began his reading journey with a steep climb ahead. But a child who is behind does not only need a curriculum. He needs a champion — a caring adult who will sit beside him, encourage him, support him, and help build the confidence and resilience required to succeed.

When that vital help is delayed, children do not just fall further behind academically. Even more painfully, they can begin to believe they are simply not capable of learning. The emotional consequence of missing timely intervention is a loss of hope.

That is why your partnership matters so deeply right now.

Will you complete HER Circle of Care?

Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.

Yes, I want to uplift a child in school today!

This is a challenging season for Children Rising, but it is even more challenging for the families we serve. Many are already carrying heavy burdens, and they can least afford for their children to lose the steady reading, math, and family support that helps them catch up before they fall further behind.

Hayden’s story reminds us what is possible when support comes at the right time. Your generosity helps make that possible for more children — tutoring, encouragement, and a dedicated Circle of Care surrounding them when they need it most.

Together, we can help children build a true foundation of hope. Thank you for giving today so more children can receive the right help at the right time.

Will you give children the right help at the right time?

 I want to tutor a child in who needs help now!

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

How Your Kindness Helped Hayden Find His Way Into Reading

By Eric Steckel
June 16, 2026

You gave a bright child a fresh start

Hayden is the kind of child who makes people lean in.

His Succeeding by Reading tutor, Ted Streeter, says, “Hayden has a tender and sensitive heart.” And week by week, as Ted kept showing up, that tender heart began to trust.

His mother, Shawna, says he is a fast learner. But Hayden entered school this year after missing three years of formal classroom learning. That meant his reading journey began with a steep climb ahead.

By the time tutoring began, he had a lot of catching up to do.

As they read together, Ted noticed something important: Hayden often understood what a sentence meant, even when he could not yet read every word.

Will you complete HER Circle of Care?

Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.

Yes, I want to uplift a child in school today!

But if he came to a hard word, he would frequently look away and guess a word that seemed to fit.

So Ted gently brought him back.

“Look at the word.
Sound it out.
You can do this.”

Week by week, because of your kindness, Ted and fellow tutor Kelsey Kobayashi helped this bright third grader slow down, focus, and try again. Reading did not change for him in one big moment. It changed through steady encouragement, patient practice, and caring adults who kept showing up.

And he began to grow.

This year, Hayden completed two reading zones — a powerful sign of his progress, effort, and growing confidence.

“Hayden just needs the right ingredients — and he’ll take off.”— Ted Streeter, tutor

Shawna has seen the difference. She is grateful for the support her son has received and hopes he can continue in the fall. Through FamilyBridge, she is also staying connected with resources that can support their family beyond the school year.

Because of you, Hayden did not have to catch up alone.

Your generosity surrounded Hayden with a Circle of Care — tutoring, encouragement, and connection.

Your gift today can help more children find their way into reading.

Will you give children the right help at the right time?

 I want to tutor a child in who needs help now!

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