Oakland School Partnerships: A Wider Circle of Care
By Eric Steckel | September 1, 2026
Your support helps Oakland school partnerships take root.
What if every Oakland school served by Children Rising had a civic or faith community ready to listen, respond, and walk alongside its students, families, and teachers?
You help make a wider Circle of Care possible—building the Oakland school partnerships that bring joyful community moments like MLK’s annual carnival to life.
That vision reaches back to our roots. Children Rising began as Faith Network of the East Bay, connecting faith communities with public schools. Today, we are renewing that idea by seeking to pair each school we serve with one nearby church or civic group partner.
A “listen-first” approach
The relationship begins with listening. Through a new School Wish List form, principals and school teams identify the resources, volunteers, services, and projects that would help most—from classroom supplies and reading buddies to family resources, enrichment, and campus improvements.
Sometimes support looks like a backpack or warm coat. Other times, it’s classroom supplies, learning resources, or another practical need identified by the school.
Because of your support, schools do not have to build these relationships alone. Your generosity makes it possible to turn school-identified needs into practical partnerships and coordinated support beyond tutoring and family engagement.
Resurrection Oakland Church and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School show what can flourish when a community partner listens, builds trust, and grows alongside a school. ResOak began by bringing coffee and pastries to school staff and connecting members with tutoring through Children Rising. Over time, its support expanded to monthly food distribution, library projects, the book fair, and a vibrant annual school carnival.
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.
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.
“Once you build the trust, when they have a need, they call you,” said Amanda Collison, ResOak’s director of city engagement.
Community partnerships can extend far beyond the classroom—helping connect families with food, resources, and caring support close to home.
Every partnership will look different because every school is different. Each begins by asking what is needed and responding with care.
“MLK’s mission is grounded in community partnerships that support the well-being of the whole family,” Principal Roma Groves-Waters shared. “Children Rising and Resurrection Oakland are consistent and constant partners. They listen first, they show up, and they keep growing with our school community.”
Could your church, community of faith, or community organization become part of a school’s Circle of Care? We would be grateful for an introduction.
I want to connect my church or community group with an Oakland school!
I want to tutor a child in who needs help now!
I want to fund Children Rising tutoring and family engagement programs!