Blog

Celebrating the Transition of CareerBridge to Catalyst Youth Network

By Eric Steckel
July 2, 2024

Empowering Oakland’s Youth: Program legacy continues where youth are the focus.

Your support provided meaningful internships and caring mentors to hunddreds of East Bay youth. You helped them discover meaningful career opportunities and keep them on track to graduate high school.

In the heart of Oakland, a guiding light has illuminated the path for young minds toward brighter futures for over a decade. Now, as we celebrate another summer of internships and career exploration, CareerBridge embarks on an exciting new chapter. We proudly announce that CareerBridge has fully transitioned from its founding home at Children Rising to the nurturing embrace of Catalyst Youth Network.

CareerBridge has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Oakland’s youth and their career aspirations for ten impactful years. Under the visionary leadership of Margena Wade-Green, one of Catalyst Youth Network’s founding board members, CareerBridge has opened doors for over 500 young individuals through comprehensive workforce training, mentorship, coaching, and invaluable paid internships.

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!

The genesis of CareerBridge was Margena Wade-Green’s passion for empowering youth. While she served as a community and educational outreach manager at Caltrans, she started CareerBridge as a pilot program, providing youth with opportunities to explore careers in a large state agency with many different career options. In 2013, Children Rising founder Randy Roth invited Margena to lead this transformative program at Children Rising. As CareerBridge finds its new home at Catalyst Youth Network, Margena’s vision, dedication and expertise continue to guide its path forward.

A New Vision: From Inspiration to the Founding of Catalyst Youth Network

Robert Rickett, an East Bay native, spent eight years as a youth pastor, focusing on teens and college students. In 2016, he felt called to work with youth within community schools and joined StudentReach as the Bay Area program director. In that role, he led life coaching workshops at McClymonds High School in Oakland that focused on social-emotional learning and leadership development.

CareerBridge has been a beacon of hope for over a decade under Margena Wade-Green’s nurturing leadership. The transition to Catalyst Youth Network ensures that CareerBridge will continue to nurture and empower teens and bridge the gap between available resources and those in need.

In Spring 2018, Robert Rickett met the Children Rising team and first visited a CareerBridge workshop at Ralph Bunche High School. He was inspired by the program’s work and quickly looked for ways to partner and collaborate.

Robert joined CareerBridge in a temporary role as program manager. In addition to running CareerBridge workshops in high schools, Robert began introducing new social-emotional learning elements to the program. Working closely with Margena and Michelle Hutcherson, CareerBridge added workshops on topics such as emotional regulation and conflict resolution and bolstered the sexual harassment lesson to focus on healthy boundaries in the workplace.

“CareerBridge has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Oakland’s youth and their career aspirations for ten impactful years. I am so proud of the many youth who strived and succeeded in CareerBridge.” – Margena Wade-Green

During this period, Robert envisioned creating an organization dedicated entirely to serving teenagers, aiming to bridge the gap between available resources and the youth who needed them most. The partnership with CareerBridge was foundational for Catalyst’s success and Margena served as a founding board member and advisor from Catalyst’s inception.

In the summer of 2023, marking CareerBridge’s 10th anniversary, Catalyst Youth Network assumed the reins of the program’s administration. The Catalyst team expressed excitement about the seamless transition, affirming the organization’s commitment to honoring CareerBridge’s legacy and vision.

A bright future ahead for CareerBridge at Catalyst Youth Network.

At Catalyst Youth Network, CareerBridge will continue to thrive, offering the same unparalleled internship experience that empowers Oakland’s youth to unlock their full potential. From classroom preparation to one-on-one mentorship, meaningful paid employment, post-internship coaching, and connections to further opportunities, CareerBridge remains steadfast in its mission to equip young individuals with the skills and support they need to succeed in their careers and in life.

Thanks to your support and Catalyst Youth Network’s vision, CareerBridge’s expanded offerings include establishing an alumni network, long-term career coaching, and exciting partnerships with law internships.

Looking ahead, Catalyst Youth Network has ambitious plans to expand CareerBridge’s offerings, including establishing an alumni network, long-term career coaching, and increasing internship opportunities in new industries. These initiatives underscore Catalyst’s unwavering commitment to fostering career opportunities that will empower and uplift Oakland’s youth.

“I am so proud of the many youth who strived and succeeded in CareerBridge. It is bittersweet handing the program over to Catalyst Youth Network, but my heart is full knowing that teens and youth will continue thrive with Robert and his team,” Margena Wade-Green reflected.

As we celebrate this milestone transition, we reflect on CareerBridge’s enduring impact and look forward to the countless success stories yet to unfold. Together, let us continue championing the aspirations of Oakland’s youth and pave the way for a future filled with promise and possibility.

Tutor a child! Yes, I can embrace a child in a
circle of care!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

Isaiah Jackson Is On His Way to Firefighting

By Eric Steckel
October 27, 2022

You Helped Him Gain Confidence In His Career Decision

Isaiah had reservations about becoming a firefighter. Your support of CareerBridge helped him gain confidence in his career decision.

Isaiah Jackson, a recent high school graduate, joined CareerBridge after a chance meeting with Program Director Margena Wade-Green. He spent the summer at his dream internship with the Crockett Fire Department.

“I like to help people,” he explained.

One of the CareerBridge mentors had a brother in the tight-knit Crockett Fire Department. Before long, Isaiah was exploring what it means to be a firefighter in the quaint, historic town on the edge of San Francisco Bay.

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!

Isaiah feels extremely fortunate to have been offered the opportunity.

“The Crockett Fire Department is amazing. They provide training and make sure you have what you need to succeed. It was awesome to be in the fire station, go on calls, and do stuff physically.”

The internship had a significant impact on his career aspirations.

“I had been on the fence about firefighting. There is a risk factor in the job,” Isaiah explained. “When I talked to the station firefighters, they made me feel more confident in the profession.”

As part of the CareerBridge program, Isaiah was paired with a career mentor, Children Rising Board Member Henrietta Fabio.

“The Crockett Fire Department is amazing. They made me feel like a member of the team which was awesome.” – Isaiah Jackson, CareerBridge Intern

“Ms. Henrietta was great. She put me in touch with counselors and helped me understand what I am walking into. She helped me find scholarships and funding for college. She made a significant difference in me going to college,” Isaiah said.

Now that he is confident in his career choice, there is much work to do. Isaiah enrolled at Chabot College, co-majoring in firefighting and math. He is taking classes such as fire tech and fire fitness, both prerequisites for the fire academy.

“Isaiah has a dream and vision, and I believe this conscientious young man will achieve it,” Henrietta said.

Your support will enable Isaiah to become a firefighter.

If you are interested in mentoring an eager youth, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 I want to learn more about CareerBridge to see if mentoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

Your Gift Helped Haifa Graduate College

By Eric Steckel
July 5, 2022

Servant Leadership Inspires Her Pursuit of Medical Degree

Haifa “dared to dream” of a career in medicine but needed financial support to attend college. CareerBridge helped her graduate from Mills College with financial stability.”

2018 Eddie Scholarship winner Haifa Algabri is destined for a career in health sciences. She graduated from Mills College in May with a double major in biopsychology and public health and has ambitions to become a physician. A devout Muslim who immigrated from Yemen, she is the first member of her family to graduate.

Haifa joined CareerBridge during her time at McClymonds High School in West Oakland. The workshops she participated in prepared her for a paid summer internship that was tailor-made for her. Haifa tutored children in math at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School and assisted with the Science Horizons STEM Labs.

CareerBridge also prepared her for her next experience with Kaiser Permanente’s KP Launch Program. Career mentors helped her learn to “stabilize her energy” and communicate more professionally. “Before, I wouldn’t really know how to organize my thoughts and communicate effectively,” she explained. “Having that workshop helped me reflect on how to be an effective communicator that I continue to learn, even today.”

Children Rising’s Mission Aligned With Haifa’s Faith

“In my faith, you get held accountable for everything—even knowledge. Whatever knowledge you acquire, if it’s beneficial, you should share it,” she said. “Through servant leadership, we can use our privilege and whatever assets we have to eradicate racial injustices and any form of discrimination.”

“I’m not a person to see an issue and not do something about it.”– Haifa Algabri

That passion for racial equity intersects with her studies in public health. “I’ve noticed the STEM department at Mills College is very exclusive of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students.” Her graduate thesis evaluated the STEM department’s role in the retention and support of BIPOC STEM students compared to other departments. “I’m not a person to see an issue and not do something about it.”

Haifa is grateful that her scholarship helped her stay financially stable throughout college. She will now turn her sights toward gaining acceptance to Medical School. Although she is an intensely-driven young lady, she puts her future career into perspective. “I would like a profession within medicine that will have balance with family and friends.” She also sees medicine as a way to be an advocate for others. Haifa is well on the path to making that a reality.

Your gifts help eager youth see beyond their neighborhood and discover their career potential. Give today!

If you are interested in mentoring an eager youth, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 I want to learn more about CareerBridge to see if mentoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

Internship Sets Gracie on the Path to a Fulfilling Career

By Eric Steckel
February 1, 2022

A caring mentor, a meaningful internship, and a scholarship helped Gracie find her career path.

Gracie Wilson is a long, long way from home. A 2021 graduate of Cal State East Bay, she took her first post-college job as a resident life manager at the University of Texas at Dallas, assisting peer advisors on campus. She can trace this job back to her days as an eager young CareerBridge intern.

During her junior year at McClymonds High School, Gracie worked at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. That experience taught her a valuable lesson—she wanted a fulfilling career, and fast food was not the answer. Gracie enrolled in CareerBridge and accepted a summer internship teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) labs at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. The daughter of a teacher, Gracie had long been interested in education. The MLK internship was the first step down that path.

“The longer I worked in the STEAM lab with Miss Michelle [Hutcherson, Path2Math Program Manager], she let me take on more and more leadership opportunities and eventually lead the lessons,” Gracie recalls. “Her placing confidence in me helped boost my confidence. It felt pretty natural, and I was like, ‘Okay, this is something that I definitely see myself doing.’”

“I wanted to have them feel like I am somebody that believes in them and knows that they can succeed and go far in life.”

Throughout her senior year of high school and college, Gracie continued to work in education, seeking opportunities to connect and give back to other students. She volunteered alongside Miss Michelle, tutoring students in Path2Math, and was a resident advisor in her college dormitory. She also worked for the Girl Scouts Discover Together program teaching STEAM classes at underfunded elementary schools and middle schools—a natural fit from her time at CareerBridge.

You invested in Gracie and gave her a glimpse at a fulfilling career in education. Now she is giving back to children and youth through her work.

“I got to work with kids and build these bonds, and I felt like I was doing something positive. It just goes back to enriching kids in the classroom and giving them the support they need. And in the long run, the skills that I learned, and being able to put that experience on my resume, and reference it in interviews, was so beneficial,” Gracie said.

Supporting peer advisors in a rigorous academic setting is rewarding “…because I feel like that’s something my supervisors did for me when I was a PA.”

Gracie wants to find opportunities to give back in her future. “I know how much it helped me to have teachers that truly invested in my well-being beyond the academics. Being able to give back to other students, I wanted to see all of them succeed and be a positive role model to them, and a support system to them, and to have them feel like I am somebody that believes in them and knows that they can succeed and go far in life.”

Gracie may be a long way from home, but she’s certainly on the right path.

Your support of Children Rising programs give children and youth the boost they need to rise to their God-given potential. Thank you!

YES, I CAN empower a child to build bridges to a better future!

 I want to learn more about online reading or math clinics to see if tutoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

Caring Mentors Transform the Life of a Young Refugee

By Eric Steckel
January 27, 2022

Abraham (center with his Aunt Theresa and Nancy and Bill Branagh) saw his life transformed by the love poured into him at a young age. “Without that, I would not be here today.”

Few children have overcome the challenges Abraham Wordsworth faced. Born in Liberia in 1996 amid a violent civil war, Abraham was just six months old when his Aunt Theresa fled with him and his two older cousins to nearby Ivory Coast. After spending his early childhood in a refugee camp, Abraham’s family finally relocated to Oakland when he was seven years old.

The transition was difficult. Kids would tease and bully him about being a refugee. Fortunately for Abraham, he had a caring third-grade teacher who recommended he enroll in Succeeding by Reading. He vividly remembers his first meeting with Miss Nancy, who tutored him in reading twice a week throughout the year. Abraham understood at that young age that it was unique to have a caring adult pour so much into him.

“As a child, there is nothing that shows them their value like an adult who, for no other reason, just cares for them. Tells them they are loved, regardless of who they are or what they have been through,” Abraham shared.

“As a child, there is nothing that shows them their value like an adult who, for no other reason, just cares for them.” — Abraham Wordsworth

During a field trip to the Santa Cruz Mountains as part of our former Science Horizons program, Bill Branagh, Nancy’s husband, had a long conversation with Abraham. Bill invited the youngster to the youth group his son led at First Covenant Church in Oakland.

“That was when the relationship really transformed,” Abraham recalls. “Every Wednesday, they would pick me up, take me to dinner and youth group. And it became a routine of ours. We would hang out on Fridays and Saturdays and go to the movies. They were showing me all of this love when all I did was enroll in a program.”

Your support of Children Rising provides hundreds of children each year with a caring tutor or mentor. You tell them that they truly matter and can succeed in school and life.

The Branaghs and Randy Roth filled a role in Abraham’s life that his aunt could not fill. They encouraged and supported Abraham and provided him with experiences he would never have had, including trips to conferences hosted by The National Youth Leadership Council in Nashville and San Jose.

When it came time to enroll in High School, Abraham had a burning desire to attend the Head Royce School. Although he was unable to afford tuition, the Branaghs helped Abraham apply for acceptance and then for scholarships. They even interviewed with the school when Abraham’s aunt could not do so. Abraham received a scholarship and graduated from Head Royce.

Today, Abraham is an account executive at Salesforce and still very close with the Branaghs and Mr. Roth. “Without the vision and love they poured into me, I would not be here today. If every child had that, we would be in a much better place.”

YES, I CAN empower a child to build bridges to a better future!

 I want to learn more about online reading or math clinics to see if tutoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Sees Bridges of Hope for Oakland Children

By Eric Steckel
June 1, 2021

Since taking office in 2015, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has focused her efforts on improving education in our community schools. It has been central to her vision for the future of Oakland. Children Rising was honored to welcome Mayor Schaaf, who once again shared her thoughts during our Hope for Children Now LIVE gala.

Building Bridges of Hope: Opportunity and Challenge

“What a perfect theme for this year’s gala, Bridges of Hope. I can’t think of anything more apropos to the year 2021,” she told our audience. “Our children need us now more than ever.”

Since schools closed their doors in March 2020, the achievement gap in schools serving our lowest-income communities has widened. But like many of us, Mayor Schaaf sees signs of hope as COVID-19 cases drop and we cautiously move forward and schools begin to reopen. “We know that our children will never get that year of learning back. We also know that nothing is more impactful in the life of a child than a caring adult. Children Rising has been providing those caring adults in such an impactful way to the children and families of Oakland for 20 years.”

Mayor Schaaf also reminded us of another bridge of hope: overcoming the digital divide. The Oakland Undivided Campaign, a partnership between the Mayor’s office of education, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the Oakland Public Education Fund and Tech Exchange, made dramatic strides toward closing the digital divide. Online tutoring is made possible by student access to technology and provides long-term enrichment to our proven one-on-one programs.

Hope for Children Now Special Guest Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

“By moving more of your tutoring to an online format, you not only can reach more children, but can also engage more volunteers, more caring adults, more impactful mentors. That is our opportunity and our challenge.”

She urged caring members of the community to help. “With more online opportunities and the amazing connection that only a mentoring relationship can give you, you and your friends will be so glad that you have gotten involved as a volunteer or a tutor for Children Rising.”

We thank Mayor Schaaf for her commitment to educational equity in our community schools, and her unwavering focus in empowering children and youth to rise to their God-given potential.

YES, I CAN empower a child to build bridges to a better future!

 I want to learn more about online reading or math clinics to see if tutoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

Rita Moreno Shares Her Passion for Childhood Education

By Eric Steckel
May 27, 2021

Rita Moreno is a national treasure. She has won Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony awards as an actress, singer, and performer. Although she has been in the limelight for nearly 70 years, her story is a uniquely American one. And Children Rising was honored to have Rita as our special guest at Hope for Children Now LIVE.

Rita came to the United States when she was five years old. “I didn’t know it then but my mom was fleeing the stinging poverty of Puerto Rico,” she explained. “My mom was looking for a better life for the two of us…’a place where everyone is good to you and you have opportunities, and it’s all going to be much better.’ It didn’t happen quite that way, but it’s been an extraordinary experience.”

Rita’s mother quickly found work as a seamstress in the garment district. Rita experienced winter for the first time, and sometimes had to run from bullies. “It was sort of like ‘West Side Story.’ We were the working poor, the people they’re now calling lazy.”

“Isn’t teaching children to read a basic human service? It is up to us who care to look out for them in any way we can.” — Rita Moreno

Growing up, mentors and role models didn’t exist, at least for little girls like her. “People assume that everybody has a mentor, especially when they’re in show business, not me. So that’s really why I am here to celebrate and support your good work of hope, labor, love.”

Children Rising was honored to have Rita as our special guest at Hope for Children Now LIVE.

Of course, Rita is best known for her role as Anita in West Side Story. However, many also know her for her spirited performances in the Electric Company, the groundbreaking educational children’s television show.

When she became a mother, she had no idea how gratifying it would be. “From the day my daughter was born, I started working in my profession for her in a very special way to make her proud. And it’s why I wanted to do a show called ‘The Electric Company.’”

At the time it was a risky career move. “All my friends and colleagues said, ‘Are you crazy? Don’t do a children’s show. You will never work as an adult again in show business.” But she was undeterred. “I’m talking about doing a service, a community service. Isn’t teaching children to read a basic human service?”

Fortunately for Rita and her adoring fans, she did indeed work again. In fact, she is in the process of filming the updated remake of “West Side Story.” But she hasn’t lost sight of the need to nurture and equip children and youth, especially the marginalized.

“It is up to us who care to look out for them in any way we can.”

That perfectly sums up the essence of our community enablement model. For all of you in our community who care, this is the perfect opportunity to put your faith into action. It’s never been simpler – or more important – to become a tutor or mentor today. You can empower a child to rise to their God-given potential.

YES, I CAN empower a child to build bridges to a better future!

 I want to learn more about online reading or math clinics to see if tutoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

CareerBridge Students Thrive in Distance Summer Internships

By Eric Steckel
October 9, 2020

COVID-19 has disrupted so many aspects of life for children and youth. But try as it might, it couldn’t put a stop to our CareerBridge summer internship program.

You helped eager youth learn vital career and life lessons through CareerBridge.

This year, 20 eager high school students participated in a “distance learning” version of our one-of-a-kind internship. Instead of spending 6 weeks at Caltrans, BART, or our other community partners, CareerBridge students participated in online workshops focusing on diverse workplace topics such as finance, accounting, product development, marketing, leadership, and more. They applied what they learned and created their very own business — Heart2Heart, “Greeting Cards to Inspire.” Despite never being in the same place at the same time, they set up a business, designed a line of greeting cards, and brought them to market, all in a summer!

“It was a challenge, but we knew it was an important skill they needed to learn, especially in these times of distance learning and distance employment,” said Margena Wade-Green, CareerBridge program director.
“These skills will help them adapt to their future endeavors, distance or not. The students thrived using tools like Zoom, collaborating as teams, and discovering new uses for our resources. They learned how to react under difficult circumstances. These are vital career and life lessons, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team.”

A few of our interns shared their experiences and observations.

Community partners and businesses are providing summer internship oportunities, paving the way for Malik to pursue a career in architectural engineering.

Malik

I’m a rising junior at Jesse Bethel HS and recently joined the Caltrans internship with CareerBridge. I will be an architectural engineer in the future, but until I started working with CareerBridge, I wasn’t sure where to begin. It helped me understand that there are many places to start and many different jobs from which to choose. That helped me focus my vision for the future. This summer has been challenging, but I was able to keep busy and continue learning with CareerBridge. Communication has been the biggest challenge. I’m usually a very social person, but distancing has given me some trouble. I am really glad all of the interns have such a wide set of communication skills and accountability. Each one of us strived to make this year’s internship succeed, pushing past wifi, time management, and family issues. CareerBridge has taught me that with hard work and dedication, I can accomplish anything. My journey these past weeks has been very fruitful, and I am very thankful.

“It helped me understand that there are many places to start and many different jobs from which to choose. That helped me focus my vision for the future.” – Malik

Sabine

You are helping Sabine find a career that speaks to her and that she loves.

My CareerBridge summer internship experience has been really great. Even through Zoom, and the uncertainty COVID-19 has brought to our lives, I made a lot of real connections, and learned so much. CareerBridge taught me financial literacy, professionalism, the importance of equal opportunity, conflict resolution, marketing, leadership, and so much more. These skills are extremely important in college and choosing a career, and I’m really glad I got the opportunity to learn in such a helpful environment. Ms. Margena, Ms. Michelle, Ms. Meca, and all the other interns are such amazing people I’m blessed to have spent time with and discussed important topics with. Through my time at CareerBridge, I realized the importance of finding a career that speaks to me and that I love. I also learned many skills I need in order to get the job of my dreams, which I will always be thankful for.

“Through my time at CareerBridge, I realized the importance of finding a career that speaks to me and that I love.” – Sabine

Daniel

Your support of the CareerBridge summer internship program will help Daniel realize his ambition to be a software engineer.

My summer internship experience with CareerBridge has been astonishing so far. I received a lot of support from the staff and my fellow colleagues. This was my very first internship/job, and I struggled to find the right balance between work life and my personal life. Working from home gave me a lot of flexibility, although I often got interrupted by my family members. At the same time, I was able to become more disciplined. My favorite part of the internship was working with real professionals. They gave many insights into what it’s like to work at a particular department at Caltrans. We covered many topics, in particular social justice. I believe it’s important due to the current situation our country and the world is facing. I really appreciate CareerBridge for this opportunity because it exposed me to opportunities in the workforce. I hope to realize my ambition to be a software engineer in the future.

“My favorite part of the internship was working with real professionals. They gave many insights into what it’s like to work at a particular department at Caltrans.” – Daniel

Your support of CareerBridge has made it possible for 20 eager youth to learn vital career and life lessons. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. If you want to support CareerBridge, here are a few ways you can help an enterprising youth!

YES, I CAN help an enterprising youth learn vital career and life lessons.

 I want to order Heart2Heart Greeting Cards!

 I want help fund Children Rising online tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year.

6 CareerBridge Students Celebrate Graduation From Ralph J. Bunche Academy

By Eric Steckel
January 22, 2018

As in life, there is no single path to a fulfilling career. Pursuing a career path that aligns your values and your passions is a very good place to start. As our CareerBridge program enters its fourth year at the Ralph J. Bunche Academy in West Oakland, we have witnessed many Oakland youth start down their own personal career path with excitement and confidence. 

Valedictorian Yasmine Lewis – with the Red CareerBridge sash – celebrates her graduation.

The Bunche Academy is a unique educational environment that cultivates and nurtures young scholars in a Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation (HTR) curriculum. Just as importantly, it is “grounded in the values of service, leadership, and connection.” The concepts of service, leadership and connection align perfectly with Children Rising’s mission to prepare today’s youth for a life of serving others and contributing positively to their communities.

This year, after listening and responding to the needs of Principal Betsye Steele, we added a Business Administrative Certification Workshop. Students were able to take a 24-hour series of classes to earn credit, experience hands-on learning, and receive special recognition at their graduation. After students complete our Business Essentials Workshops, they are offered an internship opportunity. Because of the skills they’ve learned, they are more confident, prepared, and have a better chance to be successful. It also offers students a glimpse of themselves in a workplace. 

At the conclusion of our last BAC workshop, our student Ashley Price said, “Thank you for today. I knew business was something I needed to learn, but I didn’t know how I was going to get it and I know now why I need to understand it.”

Of the 18 students in this year’s winter graduating class, there were six students in particular who displayed extraordinary confidence at their graduation ceremony. Their caps and gowns were complimented by distinct red sashes indicating that they had completed our CareerBridge BAC Workshops. Each of these six students, including Valedictorian Yasmine Lewis, learned skills that they will carry with them in their prospective college and career pursuits. 

“This past semester we’ve seen lives and attitudes change for the better,” explains Margena Wade-Green, Director of CareerBridge. “Some students begin our classes with no idea of what their futures could be, the difference between a job and a career and furthermore, no clue of the concepts of ‘business.’ ”

We are proud to be a part of the community that has supported their growth into the exceptional young adults that they are today, and we are excited to see what the future holds for them.

We encourage you to volunteer in our Career Bridge program as a mentor or by hosting a summer intern. Just 1 hour per week in spring and summer can help a young adult prepare for their crucial final years of high school. We provide the training. You provide the wisdom.

Meet Dave Sundman!

By Children Rising
December 6, 2017

In October, we welcomed Dave to the Children Rising team as CareerBridge Program Manager. Since 2015, Dave has been living in Oakland where he discovered his passion for mission ministries and education. In addition to Children Rising, Dave also serves at Cityteam Oakland Program and has founded a God-centered organization called DIVIN3KINGDOM, which uses hip-hop and mentorship to inspire youth to serve within their community. He’s currently studying to be an English Professor. In his free time Dave loves to play basketball and run around beautiful Lake Merritt.

Call and Response

By Children Rising
December 6, 2017

Article by Dave Sundman, CareerBridge Program Manager

Principal Steele helping a student with Microsoft Excel.

One of the things Children Rising strives to do is to be responsive to needs expressed by teachers and staff. A month or so into the school year, Principal Betsye Steele of Ralph J. Bunche Academy voiced her concern that, due to scheduling issues, students graduating in December wouldn’t be around to complete CareerBridge’s Business Essentials series, which is 24 hours of instruction spread over many weeks.

With Ms. Steele and other Ralph Bunche staff, program directors Margena Wade-Green and Michelle Hutcherson came up with a condensed version of the series, the majority of which took place in an intensive 6-hour workshop on a Saturday. The Saturday workshop not only simplified the scheduling process but, as Ms. Steele explained, was more impactful because it placed all instruction “into a business management context so that the children could get the full and deepened experience of working in an office and business workplace.”

Stoking the enthusiasm of high school students attending class on a sunny Saturday morning can be a difficult task but we encountered a surprising level of excitement at the Business Administration Certification Workshop. Students were eager to discuss their plans for future businesses ranging from cosmetology studios to restaurants to black-owned financial institutions. They began to see how each subject and skill might play a role in their personal career development. Witnessing their passionate involvement was exciting for all of us instructors.

It was a blessing to see these students realize that being a business owner is an accomplishment within their reach! By listening to and collaborating with Ralph Bunche staff, we were able to serve more students more effectively.

“I can say with confidence that Career Bridge is one of the most effective programs I’ve ever engaged with in 6 years of youth engagement. Our school community is grateful for their expertise and professionalism and look forward to impacting more youth.”

Terrence Holliday, Work-Based Learning Liaison at Ralph J. Bunche Academy

From West Oakland to Cal: One Student’s Journey

By Chelsea Boniak
October 27, 2017

by Eric Steckel, CareerBridge mentor

I met Quaylin Wesley – or Quay as his friends call him – in the spring of 2016. He had recently completed his junior year at McClymonds High School (known colloquially as “Mack”) in West Oakland and was about to begin a summer internship at tech giant Intel, one that Children Rising’s CareerBridge program had coordinated and prepared him for. Quay had never had a job so he was really being forced out of his comfort zone. At Mack, he loaded his academic schedule with advanced placement classes and was a three-sport student athlete. However he had very few aspirations for his career. As his CareerBridge mentor, my role was to support him throughout the internship.

Over the course of the summer, Quay and I met regularly. He had an infectious smile and was very outgoing. We immediately struck up a good relationship. We discussed how he could learn about career options as well as expand his network. By the end of his time at Intel, he was excited by the opportunity to pursue a career in engineering or computer information systems, and had dreams of attending the University of California (Cal) at Berkeley. We had also formed a unique friendship and continued to meet even after the official mentoring period ended.

This past spring, Quay applied for Children Rising’s Eddie College Scholarship, awarded to students who have completed the two-year CareerBridge mentorship and internship program. I had encouraged him throughout the application process. As I sat next to him during the Children Rising gala, where the scholarship was to be awarded, I had no idea how nervous he was. Funds from the scholarship would go a long way toward his dreams of attending college. That night, Quay was one of three scholarship award winners. He was smiling from ear to ear, and I couldn’t have been more proud. It was exciting to see how Children Rising had provided him support throughout his high school years.

This fall, Quay achieved his dream of enrolling at Cal. It’s been a long and difficult road, but Quay never doubted himself. Way to go, Quay!

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