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A Legacy of Language: A Bilingual Tutor Helped a Bright Young Reader Soar

By Eric Steckel
May 15, 2025

Your generosity helped Chiara work with a bilingual tutor and learn to read

Your generosity helped provide Chiara with a bilingual tutor. Through hard work and comforting support, she is learning to read.

Something special happens when Vilma Morales sits down to read with Chiara. A Puerto Rican woman who grew up speaking Spanish at home and English at school, Vilma knows exactly what it feels like to bridge two worlds. Her ability to speak Spanish isn’t just a skill—it’s security and comfort for the children she tutors.

Comfort Instills Confidence

Chiara is a bright, talkative second grader who loves coming to Succeeding by Reading. However, despite her enthusiasm and ability to pick things up quickly, she struggles with reading in English.

Like many children in Oakland, she speaks Spanish at home. Learning to read in a language that feels unfamiliar can be daunting.

“When they feel comfortable with you, if there’s something they don’t know, they can tell you without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.”— Vilma Morales, Children Rising Tutor

“Speaking Spanish lets Chiara express herself and feel comfortable,” Vilma explained. “When they feel comfortable with you, if there’s something they don’t know, they can tell you without feeling embarrassed or ashamed.” That comfort and connection created a safe space for learning, where Chiara could take risks, ask questions, and grow.

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!

“They know that I’m not going to judge them, that I’m going to help them out the best way I can,” she added. “And they feel comfortable with that.”

Opening the Door Between Language and Learning

With Vilma’s support, Chiara has thrived. She has moved from the TK orange zone to the second-grade blue zone, equivalent to two grade levels in six months.

For English language learners, a bilingual tutor can bridge language barriers and help them succeed in school … and in life!

That door between language and learning has to open for many more children. With more than 50% of Oakland students speaking a language other than English at home, bilingual tutors like Vilma are critical.

We need more tutors who can connect across languages and cultures, especially Spanish and Arabic speakers. You can help children like Chiara thrive by volunteering or supporting our programs.

Because every child deserves the chance to read, and every language is a bridge to learning.

Your gifts help children bridge language barriers and thrive in school!

Tutor a child! Yes, I can help a child learn reading and math!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

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

A Mother’s Love, Strengthened by a Circle of Care

By Eric Steckel
May 14, 2025

You’re helping parents like Monica become powerful partners in their children’s success.

Your gifts helped Monica continue to be Miracle’s fiercest advocate in school … and in life.

The moment Monica Henderson brought her daughter home—tiny, fragile, and born 16 weeks early—she knew she had to be her daughter’s fiercest advocate.

“We call her Miracle because they say she’s a miracle baby. She weighed a pound and 15 ounces. She fought to be here, and I fight every day for her,” Monica shared.

From an early age, she worked with Miracle on reading activity books and games that helped her learn her ABCs and counting. “The doctors said she might be a little delayed or behind. I didn’t want that for her. So I was like, ‘What can I do as a parent to help her?'”

Miracle was ready

When it came time to enroll in school, the doctors said Miracle was ready.

This year, her teachers discovered that Miracle was lagging behind in reading retention. She enrolled in Succeeding by Reading, and Monica enthusiastically continued to fight for her daughter. She joined FamilyBridge, learning how to reinforce her daughter’s reading skills at home. She and Miracle work on reading comprehension, sight words, and math facts using tools like flashcards and shared reading time.

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!

“I take what I learn from FamilyBridge and try to help Miracle the same way her tutor does,” Monica shared.

“I’m reassured that I’m doing the right things, and other people are helping me. It takes a lot to raise a child.”

FamilyBridge’s weekly messages and hands-on workshops have given Monica the tools—and encouragement—she needs. “Even the little notes that say what they’re working on… they really help me guide Miracle better,” she said.

Bedtime reading has become a way to enjoy reading together

Reading before bed has become a routine. “I let her pick a book out and then she can read it to me, or if she wants, I’ll read it to her. It just depends, but I try to do it to settle her down and get her to go to sleep.”

With your support, we can continue walking alongside families like Monica’s—offering guidance, encouragement, and the right tools at the right time.

Thanks to this team effort, Miracle is gaining both confidence and independence in her schoolwork. Her growth is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families, tutors, and teachers work together to nurture a child in a circle of care.

“I’m grateful for the support,” Monica said. “We’re both learning. And Miracle is starting to believe in herself.”
With your support, we can continue walking alongside families like Monica’s—offering guidance, encouragement, and the right tools at the right time.

Your gifts help families build a bridge to success.

Tutor a child! Yes, I can help a child learn reading and math!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

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

Jacob’s Journey: From Hesitant Reader to Confident Learner

By Eric Steckel
March 13, 2025

Your Generosity Helped Jacob Realize His Potential, Build Confidence, and Achieve New Milestones In Reading.

Step by step, word by word—Jacob is unlocking his potential with the support of dedicated tutors like Doris. Your generosity makes moments like this reading intervention success story possible, helping children build confidence and reach new reading milestones!

Jacob’s transformation in Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading program is a heartwarming reading intervention success story—a testament to perseverance, encouragement, and the impact of one-on-one support. Initially hesitant and unsure about participating, Jacob faced challenges in recognizing the value of his efforts. He occasionally arrived with a less-than-enthusiastic demeanor, but his tutors, Doris Wu, and Jan Ghirardelli, remained steadfast in their support and encouragement.

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!

A Breakthrough Moment That Changed Everything

In spring 2024, Jacob had a breakthrough. Jacob shifted his outlook, motivated by seeing his peers advance and the gentle guidance of his teacher and tutors. Doris recalls, “Jacob would sometimes resist, but as the year progressed, he realized he could succeed if he worked hard. At the end of the year, he surprised us by reflecting on how changing his attitude helped him advance. That moment made all the effort worthwhile.” Jacob’s response was heartfelt when asked what he learned: “By changing my attitude, I was able to move to purple.” This self-reflection amazed his tutors, who celebrated his academic and personal growth.

“…As the year progressed, Jacob realized he could succeed if he worked hard.”

Jan shared, “Seeing Jacob hug us at the end-of-year celebration was incredible. It showed us how much progress he had made, trusting and believing in himself, not just in reading.” Jacob is now working at the blue level in January 2025, the highest in the program. While he may not fully grasp that completing this level places him on track for grade-level reading, his tutors continue to encourage him. Doris noted, “Finishing this (blue) level is a significant milestone. It’s an achievement that reflects how far he’s come since starting the program.”

More Than Just Better Grades

This transformation wasn’t just about moving to the next reading level. It was about Jacob realizing his potential and gaining confidence—an outcome made possible by the dedication of his tutors and the support of donors like you.

Your generosity fuels these moments of triumph. Together, we can continue to inspire children like Jacob to overcome challenges and embrace their future with hope. Thank you for making a difference.

When you make monthly gifts, you give children a fairer chance to succeed in school … and in life.

Tutor a child! Yes, I can help a child learn reading and math!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

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

A Dedicated Tutor Put a Book in Jaime’s Hands … and a Smile on His Face

By Eric Steckel
August 22, 2024

You Helped Jaime Blossom Into a Confident Reader

Thanks to you—and the persistent efforts of his dedicated tutor, Kirby Smith—Jorge has become an enthusiastic reader.

When was the last time you really struggled to learn something? How did it make you feel? Frustrated? Reluctant? Ready to throw in the towel? We’ve all been there!

So was Jaime*. Last year, this little guy was a second grader who struggled with reading, barely at a kindergarten level. He was discouraged and reluctant to take part in Succeeding by Reading. Thanks to you—and the persistent efforts of his dedicated tutor, Kirby Smith—Jaime’s story has taken a remarkable turn.

Kirby began tutoring after retiring in 2020. He described his experience with Jaime as both challenging and rewarding. “Jaime is a strong-willed boy with a rich emotional background that sometimes hindered his ability to concentrate,” Kirby shared.

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!

Jaime struggled in the same reading “zone” for months. Some days he was frustrated and unwilling to work. Clinic coordinator Brenda Paulin administered three skills checks to move on to the next “zone.” Each time, Jaime just missed moving on.

“When he finally passed I nearly cried. He finally made it.”

Kirby discovered that meeting Jaime halfway with engaging activities helped the boy focus. He would begin each session with a picture comparison game that was easy and fun. He discovered that Jaime loves soccer. To keep him motivated, Kirby gave him a coloring book of his favorite soccer player, Lionel Messi. Some days were better than others, but Kirby’s patience and creativity paid off.

After three near-misses, Jaime finally passed his skill check in the last week of the program. Kirby vividly recalls the joy and relief they both felt. “When he finally passed I nearly cried. He finally made it,” Kirby said.

Without feeling that moment of success, Jaime might have continued to feel sullen about learning.

Kirby values the one-on-one relationship he developed with Jaime. Kirby tailored his tutoring to Jaime’s needs. It made a significant difference to Jaime’s progress.

Your gifts support children who thrive on personalized tutoring, and put smiles on faces!

This breakthrough transformed Jaime’s attitude toward learning. He became an enthusiastic reader, and it was the rocket fuel needed to improve his attitude toward learning and reading.

You support children who thrive on perseverance and personalized support. Kirby’s dedication exemplifies the impact caring tutors can have on a child’s life. You give children like Jaime a fairer chance to succeed in school … and in life.

Your $15 gift gives children like Jaime a one-on-one tutor for a day. You are giving them the gift of reading!

Tutor a child! Yes, I can help a child learn reading and math!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

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

Sustaining Momentum: Your Support Keeps Da’myla Reading All Summer

By Eric Steckel
August 19, 2024

Thanks to You, Ms. Joan and Da’myla Continue Their Learning Journey Beyond the Classroom

Because of you, Da’myla and Ms. Joan formed a bond that has continued to grow through summer reading get-togethers.

You know that a child’s learning journey doesn’t end when the school year does. But many children in Oakland don’t have the resources to continue learning over the summer months.

Ms. Joan Cardellino is keenly aware that we don’t have the time to waste.

“The more fun you can have, the more receptive the kids can be to learning.”

Joan is a dedicated Succeeding by Reading tutor. She worked one-on-one with second-grader Da’myla* last year. The two formed a close bond in the process. Thanks to your support, Da’myla thrived in reading, and is continuing to make progress this summer!

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!

Da’myla’s connection with Ms. Joan extended beyond the classroom. During the end-of-year celebration, Ms. Joan reached out to Da’myla’s mother, Lashawnda, with a heartfelt thank-you card. She also offered to meet Da’myla over the summer to read. This gesture led to an ongoing summer reading partnership at the Oakland Public Library. Their visits include checking out books and enjoying the nearby park.

Your gifts provide Da’myla the joy and excitement of discovering a great book.

Ms. Joan is passionate about preventing the summer slide, the learning loss that can occur during the long break. “Da’myla made a lot of progress but is still significantly behind grade level. If she goes 10 weeks over the summer without reading, some of the progress Da’myla made would be lost,” Ms. Joan explained.

Their library visits have been a delightful mix of education and fun. Da’myla, now equipped with her very own library card and self-checkout skills, explores both fiction and nonfiction. From an Encyclopedia of Manga to children’s cookbooks, Da’myla’s interests are broad and varied. Ms. Joan even engages her in cooking discussions, linking reading to everyday activities like making grilled cheese and learning where cranberries come from.

A circle of care over the summer

“The more fun you can have, the more receptive the kids can be to learning.”

The FamilyBridge program plays a crucial role in this story. You support a collective effort from families, schools, and communities that sparks a child’s learning. Pia Dandan, Succeeding by Reading program manager, remarked, “It warms my heart to see how this ‘Circle of Care’ can continue outside of our tutoring clinic during the school year.”

Your caring heart helped form the bond between Ms. Joan and Da’myla. And it underscores the importance of continuous support. Da’myla’s delight in finding books about little girls of color—“girls that look like me!”—is a testament to the caring, personalized support she receives.

Your gifts make these connections possible. This summer, Da’myla continues to be nurtured in a circle of care—and enjoys special trips to the library and park with her special tutor.

Every dollar counts. Your $15 gift sends a child a tutor for a day. Please help more children like Da’myla learn to read!

Tutor a child! Yes, I can help a child learn reading and math!

 I want to tutor a child in reading or math!

I want to fund Children Rising tutoring programs!

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

Brighter Paths: Personalized Tutoring Illuminates Wilma’s Reading Journey

By Eric Steckel
May 2, 2024

Your Support Sparked Creative Solutions to Conquer Reading Challenges

Through your gifts, children receive critical one-on-one tutoring, which can lead to creative ways of navigating learning challenges.

Wilma is a bright third-grader making incredible strides in her reading journey. Thanks to the nurturing guidance of Succeeding by Reading tutors Merrie Dillow and Barbara Thompson, Wilma is not just overcoming hurdles but blossoming into a confident reader.

When Wilma started personalized tutoring with Merrie and Barbara, she was reading in the pre-K Orange Zone. She struggled with identifying letters and their corresponding sounds, which are the phonetic building blocks of reading. In most cases, children learn this before kindergarten.

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!

Wilma is an English language learner. Her mother also struggles with reading. Wilma was excited to receive an extra Orange Zone workbook to bring home so she could practice with her mom. “I taught my mom everything I know!” Wilma proudly shared.

Navigating challenges with creative thinking.

“We experienced one stumbling block in her learning that impacted her self-confidence. It had to do with letters that sound differently in Spanish than English. G, H, and J don’t sound the same in Spanish,” Merrie explained. “It took me a while to understand and narrow down the problem and solve it.”

The solution? Flash cards with pictures!

Clinic coordinator Pia Dandan suggested creating index cards with pictures that helped Wilma associate the different sounds with the appropriate letter. For example, a picture of a little girl jumping helped Wilma remember the J sound.

Through your generosity, Wilma is blossoming into a confident reader.

“Once she could remember the sounds, she leaped that gap in phonics, and to my surprise, she knew a lot more than I understood! It was like one thing kept her from moving forward on our timeline. She had a lot of skills already in place, but we couldn’t understand that because of this stumbling block.”

Wilma’s progress has come in leaps and bounds.

After struggling for months in the Orange Zone, Wilma quickly advanced to the next level “with flying colors.” She is now on to three-letter and short vowel words and reading at an advanced kindergarten level.

Although Wilma has a long literacy journey to get to grade level, her renewed self-confidence has spurred her on. “She is eager to participate. It flows more easily. She’s not fighting something anymore,” Merrie said.

Your gifts to Children Rising enable us to continue providing personalized tutoring and family learning support, uplifting one precious child at a time.

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!

National Reading Month: Unleashing the Power of Reading

By Eric Steckel
March 1, 2024

How One-on-One Tutoring Boosts Literacy, Academic Success, and Confidence!

Succeeding by Reading is like a secret weapon, helping students build a solid foundation in literacy and setting them up for future academic success.

National Reading Month is here—which is kicked off with Read Across America Week—and we’re diving headfirst into a celebration of all things literary! Let’s take a moment to consider how programs like Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading are uplifting kids in Oakland’s community schools!

Succeeding by Reading is like a secret weapon for tackling literacy challenges! Our one-on-one literacy tutoring program applies the science of reading to enhance elementary literacy, pairing eager students with caring, trained volunteer tutors. Grounded in evidence-based practices, this approach recognizes the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in developing strong reading skills. By incorporating these elements into their tutoring sessions, volunteers help students build a solid foundation in literacy, setting them up for future academic success.

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!

It may sound like a lot, but these tutors make sure every kiddo gets the personalized attention they need to become reading rock stars. But here’s the best part – it’s not just about hitting those reading goals. It’s about building confidence and enjoying reading, too. Imagine seeing a kid’s face light up when they realize they can conquer those tricky words or dive into a new story without fear. That’s the magic of Succeeding by Reading – it’s like giving them wings to soar through the pages of any book they choose. And that confidence translates into improved success throughout a child’s academic career.

“That’s the magic of Succeeding by Reading – it’s like giving them wings to soar through the pages of any book they choose.”

During National Reading Month, let’s enjoy seeing children’s faces light up when they realize they can conquer those tricky words or dive into a new story without fear.

Let’s give a shoutout to Read Across America Week! In this digital age, where reading competes with various forms of entertainment, fostering a love for reading early on is crucial. This week-long celebration is all about inspiring a love for reading in kids of all ages. From fun reading events to wacky book character dress-ups, it’s a blast! And programs like Succeeding by Reading fit right in, showing kids that reading isn’t just a school thing – it’s a superpower they can carry with them for life.

“In this digital age, where reading competes with various forms of entertainment, fostering a love for reading early on is crucial. This week-long celebration is all about inspiring a love for reading in kids of all ages.”

Reading tutors are not just teaching kids to read – they’re helping them unlock a world of possibilities, one child—and page—at a time.

So, as we dive into National Reading Month and Read Across America Week, let’s raise a book (or e-reader, if that’s your thing) to programs like Succeeding by Reading. They’re not just teaching kids to read – they’re helping them unlock a world of possibilities, one child—and page—at a time.

Tutor a child!

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

 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!

The Witkin Foundation Donates $10,0000 to Bolster Critical One-on-one Literacy Intervention

By Chelsea Boniak
September 8, 2023

Generous Grant Enhances Students’ Ability to Learn to Read so They Have a Much Fairer Chance of Success in School and … in Life

We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Foundation and the profound impact they are making in the lives of eager children in Oakland.

Children Rising is pleased to be once again the recipient of a generous grant from the Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Foundation. The $10,000 grant marks the second year of support from the foundation to support Children Rising’s one-on-one reading tutoring program, Succeeding by Reading.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Foundation and the profound impact they are making in the lives of eager children in the East Bay.

Empowering Children to Learn to Read So They May Read To Learn

The $10,000 grant from The Witkin Foundation is helping improve the reading skills of struggling second and third-grade students. Students who cannot read to learn by the third grade are at much greater risk of failing to reach their potential in school and eventually dropping out. Support from The Witkin Foundation enables a caring adult to provide personalized, one-on-one literacy tutoring and develop a trusted relationship. Having learned to read, students can now read to learn. Reading proficiently with understanding is the goal—resulting in kids becoming lifelong learners and productive citizens.

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!

“Without a concerted effort to provide additional support, many Oakland children will grow more discouraged as they miss out on learning foundational reading and math skills. These are crucial skills needed to become confident, active learners as they move into fourth grade, fifth grade, and middle school,” says Jim Wambach, executive director of Children Rising.

Grant Supports Interventional Literacy Tutoring

In 1982, Bernard E. (“Bernie”) and Alba Witkin established the Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Trust with funding from royalties of Bernie’s legal writings and publications to support non-profit groups advancing social justice and society. The Foundation was created in 2003 to provide greater flexibility in carrying on the 1982 Trust’s mission. Currently, approximately 100 charitable organizations receive contributions from the Foundation each year. Funds from the grant will support volunteer recruitment, screening, and training; and provide learning supplies and program materials during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Without a concerted effort to provide additional support, many Oakland children will grow more discouraged as they miss out on learning foundational reading and math skills.”

Your support of Succeeding by Reading, and that of foundations and community partners like the Witkin Foundation, puts the smile of learning on the faces of eager young children.

Children Rising’s evidence-based Succeeding by Reading interventional tutoring program delivers high-dosage tutoring through volunteer tutors to children in Oakland’s most underserved communities at no cost to their families. Children Rising recruits, trains, and supports over 140 volunteer tutors, including 80 new tutors this past school year. One caring adult can make a difference in a child’s life by providing one-on-one math tutoring for a young girl or boy.

“To accelerate learning and overcome the devastating learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to increase the tutoring dosage levels within our tutoring programs. To execute this strategy, we must recruit and train 80% more tutors and hire additional staff for our literacy clinics,” Wambach said.

As always, Children Rising stands ready to enable eager-to-learn students to rise above the challenges in their neighborhoods with such a high concentration of poverty, violence, and educational inequity. Continued support from The Witkin Foundation is critical now, and we continue to be grateful for their ongoing support.

It’s not too late for YOU to be a tutor. Volunteer today, and you will give a child the one-on-one care they need to rise to their God-given potential.

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

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

UNESCO International Literacy Day: Empowering Futures and the Crucial Role of Third-Grade Reading Proficiency

By Eric Steckel
August 30, 2023

A Global Social Justice Initiative

September 8th, the world celebrates UNESCO International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right. (Photo by Rendy Novantino on Unsplash)

Every year, on September 8th, the world celebrates UNESCO International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a stepping stone towards personal and societal development. This day reminds us of the transformative power of reading and emphasizes the critical role it plays in shaping the lives of individuals, particularly children.

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass

As elementary schoolchildren in the United States and across the globe struggle to recover academically, one crucial aspect of literacy, often underestimated, is the ability of children to read proficiently by the end of third grade. This milestone carries profound implications for their academic and lifelong success. Indeed, third-grade reading proficiency is a critical goal in shaping a brighter future for our children. In low- and middle-income countries, the share of 10-year-old children who could not read and understand a simple text with comprehension has increased from 57% in 2019 to an estimated 70% in 2022. Closer to home, 75-80% of the second-graders in Title 1 schools in Oakland Unified School District schools Children Rising serves are two or more grade levels behind in reading.

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!

UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, observed annually since 1967, highlights the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for learning. This year’s theme is “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.” The day serves as a platform to celebrate the progress made in literacy rates across the globe while also acknowledging the challenges that still persist. According to UNESCO, over 773 million adults and young people worldwide lack basic literacy skills. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need to address literacy disparities to ensure equitable access to education and opportunities for all.

The Importance of Third-Grade Reading Proficiency

The significance of children’s literacy by the end of third grade cannot be overstated. Numerous studies have shown that achieving reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical milestone in a child’s education journey. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and a key driver for sustainable development. Their research suggests that literacy is not merely a basic skill but an essential tool for personal growth, community engagement, and effective citizenship. It opens doors to economic opportunities, improves health outcomes, and fosters a sense of empowerment among individuals, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.

UNESCO International Literacy Day serves as a global reminder of the transformative power of literacy—and the profound impact of achieving reading proficiency by the end of third grade. (Image by AkshayaPatra Foundation from Pixabay)

A closer look at the statistics reinforces the urgency of ensuring children are proficient readers by the end of third grade. Research conducted by The Anne E. Casey Foundation’s 2010 Early Warning report revealed that a student’s ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade is a strong predictor of future academic success and high school graduation rates. The implications of not achieving this milestone are sobering; students who struggle with reading by third grade are more likely to fall behind in other subjects and face a higher risk of dropping out of school.

This early warning sign highlights the interconnectedness of reading proficiency and academic success. The foundation’s research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and support during the crucial early years to prevent later challenges.

From “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

Third grade marks the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Beyond third grade, students shift from acquiring basic reading skills to utilizing those skills to access and comprehend complex information across various subjects. A study released by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago further supports this claim with data indicating that students who struggle with reading in early grades continue to face difficulties in later years. The Chapin Hall report underscores that students who are not reading proficiently by fourth grade are at a significant disadvantage across all subjects. As academic content becomes more complex, the ability to read fluently and comprehend deeply becomes essential for absorbing information and participating effectively in classroom discussions.

Third grade marks the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

To address this educational challenge, interventions that focus on early literacy development are crucial. Organizations like Children Rising work tirelessly to provide resources, support, and mentorship to children in Oakland’s lowest-income neighborhoods, aiming to bridge the gap in reading proficiency and set them on a path to success. By identifying struggling readers and implementing targeted interventions, children develop the skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.

The transformative power of literacy

UNESCO International Literacy Day serves as a global reminder of the transformative power of literacy. As we celebrate this day, it’s imperative to recognize the profound impact of achieving reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Investing in children’s literacy—especially in neighborhoods most impacted by generations of poverty, violence, and educational inequity—is an investment in the future of individuals and our community as a whole.

As the adage goes, education is the great equalizer, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a proficient reader sets the stage for a more equitable and prosperous world. It requires collaborative efforts from educators, parents, policymakers, and communities to create an environment that nurtures and supports early reading development. By ensuring that all children have access to quality education and early interventions, we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

As parents, educators, and advocates, let us join hands on International Literacy Day and beyond to champion the cause of literacy and ensure that every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and succeed in school and life. By prioritizing early reading proficiency, we take a crucial step toward nurturing generations of informed, empowered, and capable individuals who can shape a better world for us all.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Impact of Summer Learning Loss Curbed by Tutors

By Eric Steckel
August 11, 2023

Your support enables children to overcome the Summer Slide

Your support of summer learning programs in Path2Math and FamilyBridge ensures children return to school with minimal summer learning loss.

Summer learning loss—the summer slide—has impacted students and driven teachers crazy for decades. Many children return to school having lost an entire month of learning in critical subjects like reading and math.

Not all families are affected by summer learning loss equally.

For more affluent families, camps, enrichment programs, and individual tutors can stem the tide of the summer learning loss—at a considerable cost. Unfortunately, many students in Oakland do not have the same opportunities.

“I feel (the children) trying to expand and learn and do better for themselves. As tutors trying to help them, I feel like we will definitely lead them to the best path.”—Jetanii Yancy, Path2Math tutor.

Children in Oakland’s lowest-income neighborhood schools struggle to overcome lost learning due to COVID. Your support enabled us to develop program enhancements to meet the needs of those children and families while also providing unique opportunities for teens in CareerBridge.

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 summer Path2Math offered tutoring to 80 students throughout June. CareerBridge intern Jetanii Yancy was one of 40 tutors, working with eight children each week throughout the month.

“All of these kids have things going on—a lot of imagination, energy, and personality. I feel them trying to expand and learn and do better for themselves. As tutors trying to help them, we will definitely lead them to the best path.”

Summer literacy support

Through your gifts, we distributed Family Literacy POWER Packs to 35 students from seven schools. Children received additional learning support throughout the critical summer months.

During the final weeks of the 2022-2023 school year, we distributed Family Literacy POWER Packs to 35 Succeeding by Reading students from seven schools. These hands-on literacy practice tools gave families a great way to support their child’s learning during the summer.

We invited families to participate in a Family Literacy Exploration Workshop on ZOOM, held twice weekly in June. The workshops featured songs, puzzles, POWER Pack practice activities, storytime, and more!

“Dariel* enjoyed the activities, the different animals he learned about, and how similar words can be, like dog, frog, and hog. We are still working in the orange zone, but he’s getting there,” one happy parent reported.

Your support of Succeeding by Reading, Path2Math, and FamilyBridge ensures children return to school with minimal summer learning loss.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Reading for Life: The Impact of Child Literacy on Health Outcomes

By Eric Steckel
August 10, 2023

Literacy plays a crucial role in shaping physical and mental health

Childhood literacy is not just about learning to read; it is a critical aspect of a child’s overall development that extends far beyond the realm of elementary education.

Childhood literacy is not just about learning to read; it is a critical aspect of a child’s overall development that extends far beyond the realm of elementary education.

Children proficient in reading by the end of third grade are more likely to achieve higher educational outcomes, setting them up for success in adulthood. However, childhood literacy goes far beyond academic achievements and plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s physical and mental health throughout life. It is a critical component of the “rising” in programs like Succeeding by Reading.

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!

A panel discussion hosted by The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading focused on a recent study released by the Yale Child Study Center–Scholastic Collaborative for Child & Family Resilience titled “Reading for Life: The Impact of Child Literacy on Health Outcomes.” The panel shed light on the profound and lifelong positive physical and mental health outcomes associated with childhood literacy.

Literacy and Physical Health

Studies reveal a significant connection between literacy and physical health, positively impacting our overall well-being. Just 30 minutes of reading a day can lead to measurable improvements in physical health, including reductions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. This finding suggests that engaging in reading regularly may not only enrich our minds but also contribute to a healthier body.

“Childhood literacy goes far beyond academic achievements and plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s physical and mental health throughout life.”

Linda Mayes, a professor at the Yale Child Study Center, emphasized that individuals with higher reading skills are likelier to experience better health outcomes, regardless of whether they hold a high school degree. On the other hand, lower literacy rates during high school have been associated with long-term health issues, including aggressive behaviors, substance use, and sexually transmitted infections, that can set individuals on a chronic poor health trajectory during adolescence and adulthood.

Pediatricians increasingly recognize the significant impact of literacy on overall health. By integrating literacy assessments into health screenings, they are treating literacy as a preventative measure.

Lee Beers, professor of pediatrics and child health advocate at Children’s National Hospital, explained the importance of health literacy, particularly as children grow into adolescents and adults. Literacy plays a crucial role in helping individuals understand their health and healthcare needs throughout their lives. This understanding is vital for making informed decisions about their well-being and engaging effectively with healthcare providers.

Pediatricians increasingly recognize the significant impact of literacy on overall health. By integrating literacy assessments into health screenings, they are treating literacy as a preventative measure. Identifying potential literacy challenges at an early stage allows for timely intervention, collaboration with schools, and addressing any barriers that might hinder a child’s learning journey.

Understanding how health-related issues impact literacy

Conversely, Ms. Beers shed light on the link between physical disconnectedness due to health risks and its impact on mental health. Frequently, pediatricians focus on treating children for illness or physical conditions. However, it’s critical to understand how the treatment impacts the child’s education and learning capability.

Ms. Mayes cited the example of childhood asthma. Suppose the child misses one-third of class days due to asthma-related issues and treatment that impacts their learning ability. Missing learning opportunities and lagging will affect the child’s long-term health. More and more, pediatricians are better able to take these considerations into account when treating a child.

The Pandemic, Mental Health, and Bibliotherapy

Recently, mental health issues have become a pressing concern, with loneliness and feelings of disconnectedness on the rise. Children struggling with reading frequently face higher rates of anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, 80% of kids with mental health needs do not have access to proper care. Bibliotherapy, the use of literature and books to address mental health issues, has emerged as a powerful alternative intervention.

“Implementing bibliotherapy may be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for children who have anxiety disorders.”—Linda Mayes, professor at the Yale Child Study Center

Ms. Mayes pointed out, “Implementing bibliotherapy may be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for children who have anxiety disorders.” Since access to mental health care remains limited for many children, integrating literacy as a part of health care becomes essential.

Social-emotional learning, literacy, and mental health

Social-emotional learning plays a pivotal role in the relationship between literacy and mental health. David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly, pointed out that the development of social-emotional skills is closely tied to language development. In classroom settings, teachers who provide high amounts of emotional support, display sensitivity to students’ cues, and cater to their individual needs in the moment, create an environment conducive to learning and growth. Children with higher rates of reading difficulties benefit significantly from this support, as it contributes to their overall literacy development.

By embracing literacy and social-emotional learning, we create spaces and relationships where children can thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically.

As we recognize the relationship between literacy and mental health, it becomes clear that promoting literacy goes beyond academic achievements. It becomes a vital component of fostering well-rounded individuals with strong social and emotional foundations. By embracing literacy and social-emotional learning, we create spaces and relationships where children can thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically.

Empowering Vulnerable Families and Improving Parenting Skills

Empowering vulnerable families and improving parenting skills are essential components of fostering childhood literacy. It is crucial to recognize parents as individuals developing their parenting abilities. Forming a partnership with them is critical in understanding their needs and providing effective support.

Programs like Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading and FamilyBridge play a crucial role in promoting childhood literacy and overall well-being, bridging the gap between education, health, and communities.

“Parents are developing as parents just as their children are developing as human beings,” Ms. Mayes said. “Ask a parent, ‘What kind of parent would you like to be? What would you like to do with your child? Who do you want to be as you develop as a parent.’ Once you get that, what you hear, is what they want and what they feel they need help with.” It is another instance where the relationship is critical.

Programs like Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading and FamilyBridge play a crucial role in promoting childhood literacy and overall well-being, bridging the gap between education, health, and communities.“The importance of providing parents and caregivers the time and space to enhance and build their skills has been a focus of FamilyBridge since the beginning. Parent Enrichment Workshops and Skill Building Classes will be a priority moving forward,” said Tai Dillard, FamilyBridge program director.

By recognizing the value of literacy as an integral part of a child’s health, we can create a brighter future for the next generation.

It’s not too late for YOU to be a tutor. Volunteer today, and you will give a child the one-on-one care they need to rise to their God-given potential.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Tutor News – Summer 2023

By Sophia Wambach
July 25, 2023

Programs are eagerly preparing for next school year!

We are eagerly preparing for the next school year, and it will start before you know it! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor this year, there’s no better time to get started.

It has been a busy summer, and we are eagerly preparing for the next school year. It will start before you know it! We have some exciting volunteer and tutor news to share with all of our volunteers. Most of all, we look forward to working with all of you for another year, nurturing and enabling many more children to rise to their God-given potential.

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!

2023-2024 Tutoring Assignments

Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math will schedule New and Returning Tutor Training Sessions for August and September. Stay tuned for dates.

2023-2024 tutoring assignments will be made in September after school begins and student assessments are made. We will provide you with your assignments as soon as we have completed the rosters at all of our clinics. Stay tuned.

Tutor Training Dates

Path2Math will have New Tutor Training starting in August. Stay tuned for a time that fits your schedule.

Path2Math will also have Returning Tutor Refreshers. For those who have already confirmed your return for the upcoming school year, please confirm which training refresher date you’re available to attend. If none of the dates work for you, please email Michelle Hutcherson at michelle@children-rising.org to arrange a one-on-one refresher. The following is a tentative schedule for upcoming dates.

NOTE: Times may change.

Refresher Tutor Training Schedule (for returning tutors only)

• Thursday 8.24.2023. 1 – 2 p.m. Part II Only; Online
• Tuesday 8.29.23. 9 – 10 a.m. Part II Only; Online
• Thursday 9.7.23. 1 – 2 p.m. Part II Only; Online
• Wednesday 10.11.23. 9 – 10 a.m. Part II Only; Online

Succeeding by Reading will have New Tutor Training and Returning Tutor Refreshers starting in August. Stay tuned for a time that fits your schedule.

POWER Packs for Summer Reading Practice

Thanks to your support, we distributed Family Literacy POWER Packs to 35 students from seven schools. Children received additional learning support throughout the critical summer months.

During the final weeks of the 2022-2023 school year, Succeeding by Reading staff distributed Family Literacy POWER Packs to 35 students from seven schools. Each student had taken part in a Succeeding by Reading clinic during the year, and this box of hands-on literacy practice tools gave families a great way to support their child’s learning during the summer.

Families were invited to participate in a Family Literacy Exploration Workshop on ZOOM, held twice weekly in June. The workshops featured songs, puzzles, POWER Pack practice activities, storytime, and more! Over the next few weeks, we will conduct a follow-up phone survey with our families to find out how they are using the POWER Packs and what additional resources they would benefit from.

Path2Math Tutors Help Students Overcome the “Summer Slide”

Summer math tutors like Jetanii ensured that children avoided the “summer slide” and will return to school in the fall ready to learn.

Summer learning loss—also known as the summer slide—is a phenomenon that has impacted students and driven teachers crazy for decades. This summer Path2Math offered in-person and online tutoring to 80 students throughout June. Many of the tutors, like Jetanii Yancy, participated in Path2Math as part of their CareerBridge summer internship program. Through our summer tutoring program, many children kept up with their math skills and will return to school in the fall better prepared.

Literacy Elves Take Over Children Rising Office

Dedicated Literacy Elves gathered to sort, organize, clean, check, and repair literacy materials used during this past school year. The kids and tutors will be ready to learn in the fall.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning in June, teams of dedicated Literacy Elves (AKA Succeeding by Reading volunteer literacy tutors) gathered to sort, organize, clean, check, and repair literacy materials used during this past school year.

Some may tout the benefits of ‘self-help,’ but this summer, we have seen the power of “Elf-Help”! We are grateful for the attention, dedication, and love expressed by our summer volunteers as they help us prepare Succeeding by Reading clinics for the upcoming school year.

If you are interested in becoming a Literacy Elf, we have dates in August.

Literacy Elf dates in August:

• Tuesday 8.15.23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday 8.17.23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
• Tuesday 8.22.23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
• Thursday 8.24.23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Volunteer Tutor Profile: Meet Succeeding by Reading Tutor Ann Rosenberg

By Eric Steckel
July 24, 2023

Longtime tutor finds the magic in one-on-one relationships, and children thrive!

The one-on-one relationship you form with your child is fundamental. “It’s just a happy feeling. It’s very rare that kids get this one-on-one relationship with anybody at that age.”

Succeeding by Reading tutor Ann Rosenberg discovered Children Rising in a roundabout way through her friend Jan Zovickian. After working as a school social worker in Oakland schools for 30 years, she has spent the last six years tutoring eager children and enabling them to learn to read.

“If you care about the child, and they care about you, that comes through. I think that is a huge part of success in tutoring …”

“I love kids; I love tutoring. I find that one of the best ways to build self-esteem is when kids feel that they’re able to learn and feel good about themselves; more than almost any therapy in the world, it helps them realize that they can learn. It’s a highlight of my week,” Ann said.

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!

Supporting a child through difficult periods

During the disrupted COVID year of 2020, Ann tutored a young girl named Juliana. “Juliana was enthusiastic. She really wanted to learn to read better,” Ann recounted. “She was very hard on herself, so I just tried to reinforce everything positive that I could. I would tell her, ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to be perfect, it’s about progress, not perfection.”

Because of you, children like Juliana have overcome challenges in school and risen to their God-given potential. That’s a beautiful thing indeed!

Juliana made great progress despite the year being cut short. “There was a book she loved, a graphic book. When a child is motivated because she’s interested in the material, it’s much better than anything else. So we were reading the book together, and she was doing well. I think she was more forgiving of herself if she made a mistake, she got back on the horse more quickly, and her frustration level decreased.

The importance of a one-on-one connection

To Ann, the one-on-one relationship is fundamental. “If you care about the child, and they care about you, that comes through. I think that is a huge part of success in tutoring, therapy, social work, anything really,” she said. “It’s just a happy feeling. It’s very rare that kids get this one-on-one relationship with anybody at that age. The caring and the warmth that grows between people—I’ve had it with little boys, little girls, it doesn’t matter. It’s the weekly contact. Knowing someone cares about you and is going to be there for you, come rain or shine, is special.”

“This program is fantastic. It’s so well organized … It’s a real gift to be able to work with the program. What can I say? It’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful thing.”

When I asked her if she had anything to share with potential tutors, she replied, “This program is fantastic. It’s so well organized. Rebecca and Pia do such a great job. It’s a real gift to be able to work with the program. What can I say? It’s beautiful. It’s a beautiful thing.”

We are grateful for Ann and all of the dedicated Succeeding by Reading tutors. Because of you, children like Juliana have overcome challenges in school and risen to their God-given potential. That’s a beautiful thing indeed!

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

The National Council of Negro Women Provides Books to Young Readers

By Eric Steckel
June 15, 2023

Children experience the joy of reading and growing a library

Thanks to the National Council of Negro Women, thousands of young readers learned about the significant contributions Black men and women made to the immunization history of the United States.

Children delight in learning to read. It opens their minds and imaginations to new worlds. They see themselves reflected in the stories they read.

As their confidence grows, they take pride in owning books they can call their own.

A child’s growing library is a significant part of their journey to becoming a lifelong reader.

Through the donations of individuals and community groups, Children Rising has provided tens of thousands of books to eager young readers. It’s a joy to see the sparkle in a child’s eye when they open a new book for the first time, knowing it is part of their growing library.

Queenie Gets Her Shots … and children get free books!

This past October, the East Oakland-Hayward Section of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) published a children’s coloring book, Queenie Gets Her Shots. Over 2,500 children received a copy of the book in a very short time, including kids in Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading program.

A child’s growing library is a significant part of their journey to becoming a lifelong reader.

Section President Jennifer King, wrote the text, and local artist Dr. Ajuan Mance did the outstanding black-centric illustrations. The 26-page coloring book tells the story of Queenie, a precocious five-year-old anxious to start school. When Queenie finds out she has to get vaccinated, she changes her mind and tearfully adopts a “No shots” stance. Her older Brother Miles, his best friend, a Laotian boy named Duc, and Queenie’s best friend, a Salvadorian girl, Isabel, help address Queenie’s vaccine hesitancy by sharing with her the critical and significant contributions Black men and women made to the immunization history of the United States. That includes the significant contributions of Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett to the development of the COVID 19 vaccine.

Ms. King wrote the book during the pandemic. As she noticed the need for the children to be vaccinated, she also witnessed the fear people had of getting shots. So Queenie Gets Her Shots was a vehicle for dealing with the fear associated with vaccinations, which for Ms. King has been a life-long phobia that had to be overcome due to her job working with Seniors as an Oakland City employee.

Seeing people like themselves doing great things

Children must see and hear about people like themselves making significant contributions in science, health, and society in general. We are grateful for the opportunity to give Queenie Gets Her Shots to hundreds of children in Succeeding by Reading.

Children must see and hear about people like themselves making significant contributions in science, health, and society in general. It can inspire them to push forward in school. It reminds them that the sky is the limit, and they can do whatever they set their minds to do. Queenie, Miles, Duc, and Isabell look like many of the kids in Children Rising programs.

We are grateful for the opportunity to give Queenie Gets Her Shots to hundreds of children in Succeeding by Reading. The children’s libraries grow with stories that inspire them to succeed in school … and in life!

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Tutors Needed: You Can Empower a Child to Become a Lifelong Learner

By Eric Steckel
May 30, 2023

One-on-one tutoring provides children a fairer chance to succeed in school!

Tutors needed: Programs like Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math provide opportunities for community members to step in, be part of this leading-edge solution, and support student recovery.

“Tutors needed!” is the refrain we keep hearing from our partner schools.

As the year comes to an end, Children Rising is already preparing one-on-one tutoring and family support programs for the 2023-24 year. So many elementary school children made dramatic advancements in reading and math last year, and we are so proud of their determination and effort. Next year, we want to support many more eager young learners!

The message is simple: Tutors needed!

We invite the entire Bay Area community to participate in our Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math one-on-one tutoring programs.

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!

A call for tutors this year!

Nationwide, students continue to suffer from unprecedented levels of unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On average, children are two to four months behind in reading and math. Closer to home, over 70% of the second-graders in Oakland Unified School District schools we serve are two or more grade levels behind in reading or math.

“Every young child deserves a fair chance to succeed in school…and in life. Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring and family support, we empower children to become lifelong learners.”

We need more trained tutors to provide more instances of tutoring in the coming years to overcome the lost learning time our children experienced. These are two hallmarks of high-dosage tutoring, one of the leading solutions to overcoming significant unfinished learning.

Reading and math tutors are needed this year, now more than ever before. Please consider stepping forward. You can empower an eager child to succeed in school … and in life!

There’s good news and bad news.

The bad? The need is greater than ever. Last year, Children Rising had to turn away eager students from our programs because we did not have a tutor when they needed one most.

The good? It’s a solvable problem, and YOU can be part of that solution.

To meet the needs of the Oakland elementary schools we serve:

• Path2Math needs at least 80 more tutors.
• Succeeding by Reading needs another 80 tutors.

Children Rising’s volunteer tutoring programs Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math provide opportunities for community members to step in, be part of these evidenced-based programs, and support student recovery.

Better yet, Children Rising provides the training, materials, and on-site support for tutors to be successful from day one.

Each of you can help

It’s an extraordinary time, and your help in spreading the word and generating community interest to get involved can make a huge difference this year for many children. Here’s how you can help:

• 

  Smiling faces. Tutors needed.

  Become a tutor. Now is the time to step forward to nurture and empower a struggling child in school! Learn more today.

• Spread the word. If you know of anyone who may be interested in tutoring an amazing young learner, please share this with them.
• Learn more about Children Rising tutoring opportunities. If you are on the fence, this may be your tipping point!

The programs are ready. Our comprehensive tutor training and on-site support ensure that tutors are ready to empower an eager child to become a lifelong learner.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

Joaquin Is Nearly Back to Grade-Level Reading

By Eric Steckel
May 8, 2023

Your Support Provided Twice a Week Tutoring to an Eager Kid!

Your support provides Joaquin a little extra support to get back to grade-level reading.

Not all children learn at the same pace. Sometimes it takes an eager kid a little extra time to catch on.

Joaquin* struggled with reading. He enrolled in Succeeding by Reading as a second-grader in 2021 and received a POWER Pack last Summer to continue working on his reading skills. Despite significant progress, he still wasn’t quite up to grade level in reading.

His mother, Reyna, struggles to support his efforts personally. “I don’t have time to help Jason during the week. On the weekend, I have time, but I’m unable to help him in English.”

A caring tutor supports grade-level reading

He re-enrolled this year and began working twice a week with long-time tutor Suzanne Bourque. Joaquin is eager to learn, and through Succeeding by Reading, his parents receive the support they need to ensure their son gets the added instruction he needs.

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!

“Joaquin loves to read. The challenge has been keeping him within the limits of what he knows and gradually advancing to bigger and better words because he wants to keep going and just read, read, read,” Miss Suzanne shared.

“I keep coming back because I like relating to these little kids. I enjoy it, and I learn a lot from them.”

Joaquin returned for another year and is nearly back to grade-level reading. The continuum of learning was critical for him to master the basics of reading. “The nice thing about being one-on-one is that you can work on relating to the child and give all your energy to that one kid,” Suzanne said.

Your gifts supported twice a week tutoring for eager kids like Joaquin.

“I think it’s better this year because we’re doing two days a week, which I think is the smartest thing we’ve done,” Suzanne continued. “The nice thing about being one-on-one is that you can work on (relating to the child) and give all your energy to that one kid.”

Reyna is thrilled with Joaquin’s progress. “His father and I don’t have much time to dedicate to Joaquin, so this program has been very helpful.”

Your support ensured Bryanna and Joaquin received the care and attention they needed to get back to grade level in reading.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

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

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

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

A Caring Adult Developed a New Vocation

By Eric Steckel
May 1, 2023

You Helped a Retired Nurse Reconnect With Her Love of Teaching

Thanks to you, Iyana has found a new vocation, Bryanna has a caring tutor, and two young girls are learning to read.

For first-year Succeeding by Reading volunteer tutor Iyana Amayani, an invitation from a neighbor was all it took. She was gardening one day last Summer when Henrietta Fabio, a Children Rising board member, invited her to tutor.

“I’d been retired from nursing since 2018, kind of doing nothing. It was good timing—I was just ready.” Teaching was always close to her heart, and she was ready for a new chapter.  “My energy’s still there. I’m still alive, I still have stuff to share. All that I have—my skills, my talent, I can still use it for the children.”

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!

Relating with the kids

Miss Iyana took to the children immediately, forging caring, nurturing relationships with the two students she tutors twice a week. One student, Bryanna*, has an overabundance of “creative” energy. “I could relate because I still have it a bit if I sit too long. We just bonded right away because I understand.”

“My energy’s still there. I’m still alive, I still have stuff to share. All that I have—my skills, my talent, I can still use it for the children.”

Celebrating Bridget, dancing her way to moving to the yellow zone!

One day, she and Bryana did jumping jacks to help get the wiggles out. “I remember at training, Miss Rebecca said, ‘Don’t be afraid. Whatever the kids want, go with them.’”

Iyana is enthusiastic about her role and the progress she sees in her kids. “Just this week, Bryanna recognized patterns in reading a book, something that we had worked on before. As she was reading, she stopped, looked up at me, and proudly said, ‘A pattern!’ My mouth dropped.”

Bryanna has also begun to grasp phonemic awareness, part of SbR’s structured science of reading approach. “Now Bryanna will see a word like “my”—M-Y—and she’s using the phonics that I taught her.”

There’s also an element of legacy to the work Iyana does with her kids. “Because I don’t have my own children, I want to help leave something behind, doing some good for all the children. So they’re all my children!” She said, laughing.

Thanks to your gifts, Iyana has reconnected with her passion for teaching and developed a new vocation—and Bryana receives the extra support she needs to learn to read.

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

 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!

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

Nurturing Tutor Instills Hope and Confidence In a Young Girl

By Eric Steckel
February 1, 2023

Jimena’s Recovery from COVID Trauma Aided by Compassionate Tutors You Supported

Heartbreaking Shift to Remote Learning

Nurturing tutors Instill hope and confidence. You provided the love and care for Jimena to overcome learning loss.

The sudden transition to remote learning was shocking to children, educators, and caregivers everywhere. It created a “perfect storm” of lost learning time with devastating, sometimes traumatic effects on many children.

“The pandemic hit her (Jimena) hard. When school shut down and she had to learn online, she withdrew.”—Jazmin, the mother of Succeeding by Reading student Jimena

Your support of Jimena*, a once-eager first-grader in our Succeeding by Reading tutoring program, helped her overcome considerable setbacks she experienced from online schooling. “Jimena always wanted to be a learner,” said her mother, Jazmin. “But the pandemic hit her hard. When school shut down and she had to learn online, she withdrew. She could just turn off the camera and do something other than schoolwork.”

As a mother, Jazmin watched helplessly as her daughter struggled with the sudden change and fell behind in her studies. “It was stressful. My parents never taught me at home because they were from Mexico, and their first language was Spanish. When it was my turn to help Jimena, I didn’t know how.”

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!

Traumatizing Effects of COVID

The fear and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on children like Jimena, who witnessed loved ones getting sick and even dying.

Your support of FamilyBridge enables Jazmin to confidently support Jimena in school. The family has come a long way since struggling with COVID.

“It was a tough period for Jimena. I was hospitalized for six months. They weren’t sure I was going to make it out. I don’t know what went through her head—maybe she was in a dark place, and learning wasn’t a priority to her,” Jazmin revealed.

When Jazmin finally recovered and returned home, both mother and daughter were left with deep emotional scars. “When Jimena returned to school, it was very stressful for her. She left me voicemails pleading for me to come back home. She was scared she wouldn’t see me again, and I don’t think she wanted to learn at that moment,” Jazmin recalled.

Thanks to your gifts, Jimena is receiving the critical, extra bit of instruction she needs to overcome her learning loss.

Hope for the Future with a Caring Tutor

Miss Karen, a caring and nurturing tutor, has been working with Jimena for the past year, providing her with the love and support she needs to succeed.

You make it possible for Jimena to receive caring, nurturing support from Miss Karen. Together, they are building a bridge of hope for a better future.

“Jimena is eager to learn and always wants to finish the bookworm chart, maybe so she can get through it and receive the stickers,” Miss Karen said. “It is great when Jimena asks a question that shows she understands the context of the passage and wants to know more.”

Jazmin has watched her daughter blossom. “I see her read nowadays, and this is not a Jimena from a few months back. She’s pushing for it. Sometimes she gets frustrated, but I say, ‘Take it step by step. You’ll eventually get it, and Miss Karen is there to help you succeed,'” said Jazmin.

Thanks to your gifts, Jimena has been able to receive the extra help she needs to recover and thrive.

 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!

New Hires! New Program! Welcome Pia, Sophia, Tai, and FamilyBridge

By Eric Steckel
November 10, 2022

Improving and Expanding Services to Children, Youth, and Families

At the beginning of the school year, Children Rising welcomed two new members to our program team—Pia Dandan, Program Manager for Succeeding by Reading, and Tai Dillard, Program Director of our all-new program FamilyBridge. We also welcomed Sophia Hutson Wambach as our new Manager of Volunteer Services.

The addition of these talented, passionate, and compassionate professionals improves our ability to provide essential learning enrichment services to children and youth and expands our capacity to serve families in our programs. In addition, it provides opportunities for many more caring members of the community to come alongside children and youth and enable them to rise to their God-given potential.

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce Pia, Sophia, and Tai.

Pia Dandan

“As an educator, my goal is for children to be confident, competent, and ready as they face the next stage in school and life.”

As the Program Manager for Succeeding by Reading, Pia is a tutoring Clinic Coordinator at school sites and provides vital program management support.

Before joining Children Rising, Pia had fourteen years of experience in early childhood education and worked in various Catholic Schools and Head Start programs as a Preschool teacher and Preschool Director. She majored in Human Development at California State University East Bay, completed her master’s degree in Human Development specializing in Administration and Human Services in Pacific Oaks, and earned her Child Development director permit.

One of her favorite parts of being a preschool teacher is starting with circle time to captivate the children into learning their letters using zoo phonics and reading their favorite books. During the summer breaks, she tutored students between the ages of four and six to prepare them for the next school year. Pia is passionate about closing the educational gap and improving children’s self-confidence as they learn more.

Pia grew up in Manila and moved to the East Bay in 2001 with her mom and six siblings. In her spare time, she volunteers at senior centers or San Jose Airport with her dog Charlie and plans a road trip once a month with her converted camper van.

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!

Sophia Hutson Wambach

Sophia provides opportunities for many more caring members of the community to come alongside children and youth.

As Manager of Volunteer Resources, Sophia is responsible for recruiting and welcoming the caring volunteers that come to serve children in our Oakland schools. She collaborates closely with Children Rising program directors to ensure they have appropriate levels of volunteer staffing to support literacy and numeracy learning for the kids. Before joining the Children Rising staff, Sophia volunteered since January 2020 as a Development Associate, a Volunteer Management Associate, and a CareerBridge Mentor.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management and has over 30 years of experience in administration and operations management, human resources and staff management, and budget planning.

In her free time, Sophia teaches Haiku poetry. She applies her artistic passion to creating beautiful cards for fundraising events and nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels. Her handmade cards provide joy and inspiration to homebound seniors, especially during these trying times.

Tai Dillard

“In partnering with families, the FamilyBridge program celebrates the uniqueness of each family, of which the child is an extension.”

Tai Dillard, Program Director of FamilyBridge, brings to our community over 12 years of experience advocating for families and children. As a developmental specialist in Frisco, TX, she assessed children from birth to three years old for developmental delays and helped families navigate early intervention services.

Like all of the Children Rising family, she is gratified to experience children light up academically. For several years, Tai served as a math tutor in underserved areas of Cobb County, Ga. She delights in the activation of potential as children gain confidence in literacy and numeracy and aspire to academic goals that once seemed elusive.

Tai, a native of Columbus, OH, earned a B.A. in Foreign Languages and Economics from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. In her spare time, Tai enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and visiting museums.

FamilyBridge

We know that when families are an integral part of their child’s education, they can confidently nurture and advocate for their child’s academic success.

Family engagement enables parents and caregivers to discover their agency, develop the skills and confidence to support learning at home, and advocate for their child within the school system.

Children Rising developed FamilyBridge to empower parents and caregivers in our public schools most affected by poverty, violence and educational inequity. Through family engagement, our goal is to partner with families so they may further develop the skills, confidence, and tools needed to accelerate their child’s learning, and advocate for their vision of their child’s academic growth.

Launched at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, FamilyBridge will provide families access to advanced in-home learning tools and support specifically designed for elementary school students. With additional resources, children will achieve accelerated, predictable growth in literacy and numeracy skills. Parents and caregivers will develop increased confidence and the ability to provide academic support to their children at home. The confidence boost for young learners will result in lasting, improved outcomes for post-elementary education learning.

Thanks to your support, Children Rising has improved and expanded the caring services we provide to children, youth, and families in our community schools.

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!

Alphabox Inspires Delight In Young Readers

By Eric Steckel
October 25, 2022

Family Engagement Enables David and Diego to Succeed in Reading

Your support of children AND families enables David and Diego to overcome their struggles in reading and rise to their God-given potential.

David and Diego, twin brothers in second grade last year, are an “entertaining” pair. They are active, play soccer, and love exploring the local parks. They also enjoy more quiet pursuits like painting and history.

However, despite loving books, they struggled with reading. In fall 2021, they enrolled in Succeeding by Reading and continued with the program throughout the school year and summer.

“The boys were engaged and entertaining,” said Bev Hanson, a Succeding by Reading summer program coordinator. “They were easy to work with and always willing to talk and work.”

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!

David and Diego’s family supported their learning.

Although she has a very busy schedule, Melby, their mother, was ever-present on the summer Zoom meetings. “They get excited when they see the tutor and want to spend more time on Zoom. They get excited when the tutor says you will advance to another color,” she told us.

Their older brother Emilio took time to read to them and use their POWER Pack—a handy “alphabox” designed to enable SbR families to improve their children’s reading skills at home using the same materials we use in our program.

“They are making great progress in reading. They are doing well at school. I am very happy with their development. This program is very important to Diego and David. But they still need reading support.” – Melby, David and Diego’s Mother

Family engagement has enabled David and Diego to better use their time in SbR. When families are an integral part of their child’s education, they can confidently nurture and advocate for their child’s academic success.

“They are making great progress in reading. They are doing well at school. I am very happy with their development,” Melby reported. “This program is very important to Diego and David. But they still need reading support.”

Your gifts will ensure David and Diego receive the support they need.

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

 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!

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

Science of Reading: Evidence-based, Road-tested Programs Enable All Children to Learn to Read

By Eric Steckel
September 21, 2022

Q&A With Rebecca Buckley, Director of Succeeding by Reading

A research-based, scientific approach to reading instruction takes a step-by-step approach that starts with phonemic awareness and phonics.

Over the past year, the debate over the “science of reading” has erupted nationwide. In reality, the recent discussion continues the decades-long “literacy wars.” If you have a child in elementary school who is just learning to read, you may wonder what the debate is about and how it may impact your child.

As we continue to celebrate National Literacy Month in September, we spoke with Rebecca Buckley, Succeeding by Reading Program Director. She helps break down both sides of the issue and how Children Rising’s successful, evidence-based literacy program teaches children to decode the written English language and ultimately learn to read.

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!

What is the fundamental debate surrounding the “science of reading?”

Phonics takes a rigorous, step-by-step approach to teaching a child to read based on scientific research. It starts with building phonemic awareness—decoding the sound a word makes—and correlating it to the symbol for the sound—the letter. In 1999 congress convened the National Reading Panel. The report published in 2002 determined that lack of phonemic awareness was the basis for most of the obstacles children face in learning to read. There are five essential components of reading that need to be followed in a step-by-step approach to reading instruction:

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Fluency
• Vocabulary & Sight Words
• Comprehension

Balanced literacy is an alternative teaching methodology. This approach is based on the idea that teaching reading should give children the joy of reading from the beginning. Many felt that teaching phonics was a joyless exercise that failed to instill a love of reading in kids. Despite mountains of research, many teachers felt the step-by-step approach tedious and uninspiring. Balanced literacy was often selected as a way to counter that feeling. It’s important to note that balanced literacy does not ignore phonics altogether. However, it does not have a targeted focus on phonics.

Phonics takes a rigorous, step-by-step approach to teaching a child to read based on scientific research. It starts with building phonemic awareness—decoding the sound a word makes—and correlating it to the symbol for the sound—the letter.

The problem is that, unlike teaching phonemic awareness and phonics as the foundational basis for reading, balanced literacy is not based on research. It’s based on feelings. The phonetic system in English is extremely difficult to teach and learn, with many exceptions. Rightfully, teachers always want to inspire students as part of the learning process. Unfortunately, sharing the joy of reading books was often more of a focus than teaching foundational phonics and learning. Phonics just isn’t as inspiring and was perceived to be an obstacle.

Why is this debate happening now?

Many teachers felt that teaching phonics was a joyless exercise that failed to instill a love of reading in kids. Despite mountains of research, the step-by-step approach felt tedious and uninspiring.

Educators adopted the balanced literacy approach over the last 20 years to put an end to literacy debates and provide a nuanced approach to teaching. Unfortunately, in that time, reading scores have plummeted across the country. The COVID-related loss of learning time has exacerbated the problem.

Interestingly, Oakland is one of the epicenters of the current debate. Starting in the late 1990s, Oakland Unified School District used the Open Court curriculum to teach reading. It was very prescriptive and step-by-step. Open Court provided explicit instruction of phonics, which was very effective at getting kids to decode. For seven consecutive years, test scores in OUSD improved in reading, and Oakland was the leading urban school district in California. But from the teacher’s viewpoint, it didn’t provide the quick fix joy of reading. In 2015, OUSD listened to its teachers and adopted a balanced literacy approach. Since then, kids haven’t learned to decode, and test scores have fallen dramatically. Balanced literacy has been road-tested, and it’s proven to be ineffective.

In 2021, the NAACP Oakland Branch filed an administrative petition to OUSD to ensure the district addressed the literacy crisis in community schools through comprehensive training and tools that follow the research of the science of reading. A coalition of literacy advocacy groups, including FULCRUM and Oakland Literacy Coalition, joined as co-signers in support of the issues raised and knowledge offered by the NAACP within the petition. You can read about the petition on the FAQ Page.

What is the basis of Children Rising’s “evidence-based, road-tested program?”

Children Rising’s Succeeding by Reading program is road-tested in our schools, and the results speak for themselves. Over the years, 75% of children who have had at least 20 tutoring sessions advanced two or more grade levels

We looked at the body of evidence, not how people felt. We wanted to create a program that fits how children learn. Research shows that 35% of children can learn no matter how they are taught. This group of kids substantiates some of the balanced learning approaches. Unfortunately, 40-45% of children need to be taught through explicit instruction. 10-15% qualify as dyslexic, and are the ones that benefit most from explicit instruction.

The balanced literacy approach essentially fails to serve 65% of children. It’s important to note that the 35% that will learn no matter the method will not be harmed by learning to decode.

The Succeeding by Reading program focuses 75% of our instruction on decoding sounds and moving step-by-step towards comprehension. 25% of the time is spent memorizing sight words.

That sounds like a deviation from the research. Why is that?

In English, many words do not follow the normal rules. For example, “said,” “comb,” or “tear.”(Is that a “tear in your trousers or tear in your eye?”)

If it weren’t for the peculiar nature of the English language, we would likely focus 100% on phonics. However, after years of working with children in Oakland schools, we have found that the memorization of high-frequency sight words supports decoding.

Our program is road-tested in our schools, and the results speak for themselves. Over the years, 75% of children in Succeeding by Reading who have had at least 20 tutoring sessions advance two or more grade levels.

We have seen so many struggling kids decode and discover the magic of reading. But it takes time, and the approach needs to be step-by-step. However, we make sure it’s not tedious. The children in our program enjoy working with their tutors. Over the course of the year, most children will advance in their literacy skills, begin to read at grade level and enjoy reading. It’s a blessing to watch.

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

 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!

September is National Literacy Month – 3 Ways You Can Enable an Eager Young Reader

By Eric Steckel
September 1, 2022

3 Ways You Can Enable an Eager Young Reader

Take a few minutes a day to encourage a young reader. Early childhood literacy is crucial for a child’s future academic success and quality of life.

September is here, and we are eager to celebrate National Literacy Month and UNESCO International Literacy Day on September 8th. This year’s theme is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces.” The focus globally will be on rethinking the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.

Literacy is crucial for a child’s future academic success and quality of life. It not only enriches life through the wonder of reading a good story, but it also supports essential learning opportunities for developing critical life skills.

Literacy not only enriches life through the wonder of reading a good story, but it also supports essential learning opportunities for developing critical life skills.

The pandemic has left thousands of elementary school children in Oakland struggling to read at the most basic levels. Many lack solid phonemic awareness—the fundamental skill required to sound out and understand words on their own.

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!

Here are a few ways you can enable an eager child to learn and love to read!

• Encourage a young reader. Read a book with a child, help them select a good book to read independently, or take them to the library. Research demonstrates that children become readers when they are supported in their own efforts to learn to read, are saturated with age-appropriate books, and are encouraged by positive role models. Small acts like these help an eager kid discover the magic of reading.
• Donate a new or lightly used book to a community book drive. Many children and families have little access to books they can call their own. However, recent studies show that children who grow up in homes with books benefit in “later academic achievement, attainment, and occupational standing.” Pride of ownership in books has a long-term impact on children’s attitudes toward reading.
• 

  There is no better way to enable a young child to read than to become a literacy tutor, and the relationship you will develop is priceless!

  Become a literacy tutor today! There is no better way to enable a young child to read than to become a literacy tutor. Children Rising makes it simple. We train you and provide you with all the tools you need to confidently tutor a child. And we place you with an eager young student and support you on-site. Best of all, the relationship you develop with the child you tutor is priceless.

Children Rising developed the Succeeding by Reading program to address the literary crisis in our public schools most affected by poverty, violence, and educational inequity and close the academic achievement gap one student at a time. We encourage you to celebrate National Literacy Month by helping a child learn to read and rise to her God-given potential in elementary school, middle school, high school, and in life!

If you are interested in volunteering, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 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!

Library Services Program Closes With a Lasting Legacy

By Eric Steckel
August 12, 2022

Caring volunteers opened the magic of reading to thousands of children

Kim followed her passion for supporting school libraries and opened the joy of reading for thousands of children.

There is something truly magical about a child picking the perfect book off of the library shelf. The anticipation builds, and their curious minds wonder where the storyteller will take them. And when it’s time to check the book out, they know they have been entrusted with something special and tangible they can take home and cherish. Libraries open up the joy of reading for all!

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!

For over a decade, Kim Farnham-Flom led Children Rising’s Library Services arm of Succeeding by Reading. Today we say farewell to Library Services with full hearts. With great joy and excitement, Oakland Unified School District now has sufficient funding to resuscitate and operate elementary school libraries throughout the district, especially in underserved community schools. We are delighted to report that our support is no longer needed!

What a proud and inspiring legacy we have to look back on.

Library services started humbly enough when Dave Hendsch, Marian McGaw, and a crew of Succeeding by Reading volunteers rejuvenated the library at Emerson Elementary School. They kept it open and staffed with volunteers for many years through their efforts.

For many years, even in the depths of the COVID pandemic, volunteers like Elmer Strasser—pictured as Don Luis Maria Peralta—shared stories with eager young readers.

Around that time, Kim was winding down a long career in human resources at Safeway. She began tutoring through Succeeding by Reading with an eye open for further opportunities to serve the children.

“Kim began sharing her passion for supporting school libraries in low-income neighborhoods, including storytelling and helping students check out appropriate reading level books,” Randy Roth, Children Rising founder and former executive director, remembers.

Knowing that many other Oakland Unified School District elementary school libraries were not functioning at that time, Randy hired her to further develop the library services arm of Succeeding by Reading. She and her merry band of library services elves resuscitated and staffed long-dormant elementary school libraries, distributed tens of thousands of books to eager young readers, hosted volunteer groups for weekend library cleanup days, and, most touching, read storybooks to rapt audiences of children.

Library services rides off into the sunset.

There is something truly magical about a child picking the perfect book—or books—off of the library shelf. Libraries open up the joy of reading for all!

“Kim’s exemplary service, dedication, and resourcefulness have helped bring about a library renaissance in Title I elementary schools in OUSD. Thanks to Kim’s leadership and many years of service, books have come alive for thousands of elementary school students. Brava Kim!” Succeeding by Reading Program Director Rebecca Buckley said.

As Library Services rides off into the sunset, we thank the passionate, caring volunteers who opened the magic of reading to students in our community schools. You enabled a generation of children’s imaginations to soar through the love of a good story.

If you are interested in volunteering, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 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!

President Biden Calls On You: “We Need Tutors”

By Jim Wambach
July 19, 2022

Children Rising Math and Reading Tutors Support Initiative To Place 250,000 Tutors

Volunteer tutoring programs like Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math provide opportunities for community members to step in, be part of this leading-edge solution, and support student recovery.

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a series of initiatives to help students make up for lost learning time and succeed in school and in life. The White House calls on schools to use the $122 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to provide high-quality tutoring, summer learning and enrichment, and afterschool programs.

“Building on President Biden’s call to action in the State of the Union, the Biden-Harris Administration is also joining with leading organizations to launch the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) to provide students with an additional 250,000 tutors and mentors over the next three years,” the announcement states.

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!

Students throughout the country are suffering from unprecedented levels of unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, children are two to four months behind in reading and math. Closer to home, 75-80% of the second-graders in Oakland Unified School District schools we serve are two or more grade levels behind in reading or math.

“We know what works: fully staffed schools, and personalized support for students through high-quality tutoring, summer learning and enrichment, and afterschool programs that help students not only make academic gains, but also stay connected to school and one another. The steps announced today will further help ensure America’s children have what they need to thrive.” – The White House

A nationwide call for tutors this year

This is not a standard request for volunteers. As a nation, the call has gone out: We need more high-quality tutors to provide more instances of tutoring this year. These are two hallmarks of high-dosage tutoring, one of the leading solutions to overcoming significant unfinished learning.

Reading and math tutors are needed this year, now more than ever before. Please consider stepping forward to nurture a struggling child in school.

Here in Oakland:

• Path2Math needs at least 80 more tutors.
• Succeeding by Reading needs another 80 tutors.

Volunteer tutoring programs like Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math provide opportunities for community members to step in, be part of this leading-edge solution, and support student recovery.

Each of you can help

It’s an extraordinary time, and your help in spreading the word and generating community interest to get involved can make a huge difference this year for many children. Here’s how you can help:

• Become a tutor. If you have ever considered stepping forward to nurture and empower a struggling child in school, now is the time! Apply today!
• Spread the word. If you know of anyone who may be interested in tutoring an amazing young learner, please share this with them.
• Learn more about Children Rising tutoring opportunities. If you are on the fence, this may be your tipping point!

The programs are ready. Our comprehensive tutor training and on-site support ensure that tutors can succeed from day one.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. I am grateful for any assistance you can provide as we work to spread the word throughout the community.

For the Children,

If you are interested in volunteering, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 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!

Perspectives — The Right to Read

By Jim Wambach
June 29, 2022

“Ensure that every Oakland child is an ‘on-time’ reader provided with full LITERACY: a fundamental civil right, a powerful protection from the school to prison pipeline, and the cornerstone for a life of choice and fulfillment.” – Kareem Weaver, Co-Founder, FULCRUM

EVERY child should be able to read with confidence and read to learn—this is a fundamental human right and a foundational element for social justice.

The time for the broader community to support the schools, the kids, and their families is now. Never before have we had so many children in Oakland reading so far below grade level. We can point to COVID as the reason, but we know thousands of Oakland’s first-, second-, and third-grade children could not read before COVID. Many more children are struggling now.

Your gifts will help double the weekly tutoring sessions each child receives and grow the number of families that can confidently provide in-home literacy support.

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!

Your Gifts Support High-dosage Tutoring

High-dosage tutoring is widely recognized as an effective intervention and a smart investment by schools and the community to support equitable learning recovery. Tutoring must be evidence-based and supplement quality instruction, especially for children who have experienced significant learning loss as a result of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the children most in need of this intervention are unlikely to have access to high-quality and high-dosage tutoring.

“Family empowerment—making it possible for families to have the confidence and the right tools to support their children academically—is crucial.”

Succeeding by Reading, Children Rising’s early literacy program, is focused on second- and third-graders attending schools in our lowest-income neighborhoods who haven’t yet learned to read. The program curriculum and tools embrace the five critical components of early literacy—phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. It is also rigorously structured to equip volunteer tutors with the confidence and knowledge to systematically grow foundational literacy skills in every child tutored.

Family empowerment—making it possible for families to have the confidence and the right tools to support their children academically—is crucial. The same tools and training used to equip our volunteer reading tutors are now being made available to the families of the children in our reading program.

Our Community Needs to Act

Our goal this year is to double the weekly tutoring sessions each child receives and grow the number of families that can confidently provide in-home literacy support. Combined, both provide the high-dosage tutoring support so critically necessary to help our kids catch up as quickly as possible.

This is an urgent community need. It requires substantially larger numbers of volunteers from the community. If you have an interest in transforming a child’s life while strengthening your community, consider providing the gift of literacy. Watching a child’s confidence grow as they become readers is as special as it gets—and we can make it easy for you to make it happen!

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!

Taniya Finds Her Safe Space

By Children Rising
June 29, 2022

Your Support Helps Her Learn to Read

Jeannette Brantley came to Children Rising in 2019 as a volunteer tutor, looking to offer something back to her Oakland community. That year of tutoring was the first round of her “initiation into the Children Rising community.” Jeannette joined the Succeeding by Reading staff as Associate Program Coordinator and feels blessed to have met so many eager young students and caring, committed tutors. She recently shared the story of Taniya* and Angela.

Miss Angela made Taniya feel “seen, heard, and valued.” The trust they formed made Taniya feel safe and eager to learn.

My experience as an SbR tutor and program coordinator allows me to contribute my time and abilities to children in under-served schools, offering nurturing support to get them to become proficient in reading. Over time, I found it was as much about my learning as it was for my students. I learned to meet each student where they were. Students often arrived with trauma that was unknown to me—unspoken and all too often unacknowledged. At times, a child’s actions spoke of a need for a safe space to be seen and heard before the work of learning could occur. I needed to listen to hurts that were not always articulated in words.

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!

Taniya Blossoms in School, Thanks to You

This past year, I have witnessed Taniya, a third-grader in a West Oakland elementary school, blossom in her reading skills after working with her tutor, Miss Angela. Initially, Taniya did not buy into the tutoring, but she continued to attend with other students from her class who were in the clinic.

“Our work extends beyond the mechanics of reading and includes all the elements of demonstrating care for the kids we serve.” – Jeannette Brantley, Associate Program Coordinator

Angela has worked with some of our more challenging students, many of whom lack confidence in their ability to learn to become better readers. That often shows up as a reluctance to read. Angela was able to engage with Taniya because of her patience. She gave Taniya space and time to share whatever she needed to share before they would begin. Taniya felt seen, heard, and valued. More importantly, she came to know that she could trust her tutor, who was a new person in her life. Taniya felt safe in our reading clinic.

Hard Work and Caring Support Pay Off

Your support of Succeeding by Reading provides an eager child with a one-on-one reading tutor. The relationship builds confidence in the student, so they become confident readers.

With her hard work and the care extended to her, Taniya went on to read at our highest reading zone. In our year-end assessment, she tested at grade level.

“Team Taniya” Y’all Rock! It proves once again that we teach our students the foundations needed to become proficient readers. Still, our work extends beyond the mechanics of reading and includes all the elements of demonstrating care for the kids we serve. It’s fundamental to our work.

An hour a week with a struggling child builds self-esteem and helps them blossom into a confident reader.

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!

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

6 Ways Volunteers Support Effective High-Dosage Tutoring

By Eric Steckel
June 23, 2022

Children Rising Programs Contribute to Recovery From Unfinished Learning

Tutoring, and in particular, high-dosage tutoring, has emerged as one of the leading solutions to overcoming unprecedented levels of unfinished learning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteer tutoring programs like Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math provide opportunities for community members to step in, be part of this leading-edge solution, and support student recovery.

Trained, supported volunteer tutors contribute to high-dosage learning strategies and support children in their recovery from unfinished learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning for all students. According to an April 2021 report by McKinsey, “on average, students are five months behind in mathematics and four months behind in reading by the end of the (2020-2021) school year.” Unfinished learning is even greater for children and youth in under-resourced schools, especially Black, Latino, and English learners.

The Department of Education is urging schools to provide up to 90-minutes of tutoring per week. High-dosage tutoring is generally defined as one-on-one or small group tutoring at least three times per week, totaling about 100 hours of tutoring during the school year. Unfortunately, students most in need of high-dosage tutoring are least likely to have access to a tutor.

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!

Evidence-based High-dosage Tutoring Is Key to Success

Not all tutoring strategies stack up equally. A recent study by the Education Trust highlights effective strategies for implementing high-dosage tutoring. While they stress that state involvement in implementing programming leads to better outcomes, Children Rising programs are uniquely designed to contribute to high-dosage learning strategies and support children in their recovery from unfinished learning.

A recent study by the Education Trust highlights effective strategies for implementing high-dosage tutoring. Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math incorporate many of the components of effective high-dosage tutoring. (Graphic courtesy The Education Trust)

Six Features of Evidence-based High-dosage Tutoring Programs

The following six features are components Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math share with effective, evidence-based tutoring programs.

1. 1:1 Student:Tutor Ratio – High-dosage tutoring works best with a ratio of one tutor for one or two children. Children Rising has long advocated one-on-one tutoring, where caring adults develop trusting relationships with students. The result leads to accelerated learning. Indeed, 70% of our students who receive 20 or more sessions of one-on-one reading tutoring advance two or more grade levels by the end of the year.
2. Skill-building curriculum – Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math are skill-based programs where tutors focus on incrementally building literacy and numeracy skills such as phonics and vocabulary for reading and grade-leveled algebra and geometry skills for numeracy. This approach is evidence-based and has been found to be most effective.
3. Training and Supervision – Effective programs provide pre-service training, ongoing training, and on-site supervision for tutors. Children Rising provides structured training and support so tutors can be effective from day one. It also leads to a high retention rate of 75%, leading to a more experienced pool of tutors.
4. In-School – In-school, teacher-coordinated pull-out sessions have proven most effective with students and have been a hallmark of Children Rising programs.
5. All year – Children Rising tutors stay with a child throughout the academic school year, providing consistent, caring instruction.
6. Younger students – Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math focus on second- and third-grade students, an age most educators feel is crucial to future academic learning.

Community Opportunities to Overcome Unfinished Learning.

As we continue to work with Oakland Unified School District and our school partners, we see an opportunity for the community to contribute to providing high-dosage tutoring and supporting child learning. To be successful, it will require many more caring community members to come alongside these eager children.

Our goal this year is to double the weekly tutoring sessions each child receives and grow the number of families that can confidently provide their children with in-home literacy support. Combined, both provide the high-dosage tutoring support so critically necessary to help our kids quickly become engaged, confident students—so crucial for their future growth and success in school.

If you are interested in volunteering, learn more about opportunities with Children Rising.

 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!

Perspectives — The Power of Family

By Jim Wambach
April 20, 2022

“If there is one thing educators can agree on, it’s this: children do better in school when their parents get involved in their learning.”— William Bennett

By coming alongside an eager student, you are empowering them to overcome COVID-related learning loss and rise to their God-given potential.

Imagine you’re a third-grade teacher trying to teach a third-grade curriculum while 67% of your class are two or more grade levels behind in their reading skills. On top of that, 74% of the class are two or more grade levels behind their foundational math skills. Where do you begin? How do you avoid leaving eager children behind?

This is the dilemma the teachers in our schools face this year.

Now, imagine you are one of those third-graders, three grade levels behind, and you are NOT catching up very quickly. You enter fourth grade, then fifth, with low self-confidence and become increasingly frustrated. When it is time to move into middle school, you are unprepared to learn at a higher level in a new environment with new friends.

This is the dilemma children in our schools have faced for many years, but now more than ever.

In 2006, we recognized an urgent need for children to have nourishing food over the weekend, and Health4Kids became part of the solution. As a community, we must now have that same high sense of urgency to help the children catch up from the unprecedented learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a teacher, you can see the difference in kids who have parents who were involved. That difference, by the time these kids get to the third grade, is drastic.”— Jenna Bush

Your support of Children Rising programs enables parents to become more skilled and confident in helping their children learn at home.

Without a concerted effort to provide the kids additional support in elementary school, we fear an increase in the number of eager children who will eventually disengage academically. In the coming years, we are at high risk of a tremendous rise in the failure rate of the children in our local neighborhoods.

Part of the solution is home empowerment. As a community, we must provide the necessary educational tools, training, and support for parents. Doing so will empower them to be more skilled and confident in helping their children learn at home.

By strengthening the team supporting these amazing children—parents, teachers, and tutors—many more will become active, confident learners and thrive in school instead of dropping out.

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!

Jamari Gets a POWER Boost In Reading

By Eric Steckel
April 7, 2022

At-home Literacy Tools Support Family Learning

Your support of Children Rising provides children with one-on-one tutors and POWER Packs—a compact box packed full of early-reader books and literacy materials for eager young learners.

Sometimes, kids just need a boost of POWER—Practice Opportunities With Emerging Readers—to get them back to grade level in reading. A compact box, packed full of early-reader books and literacy materials for eager young learners, POWER Packs are a new tool that Children Rising developed this year. They are designed to empower the families of Succeeding by Reading students to improve their children’s reading skills at home using the same materials we use in our program.

Jamari* enrolled in SbR last winter. His mother, Janae, describes her son as “a little adventurer” who aspires to become a police officer. Jamari was an eager learner and made significant progress. However, as school ended, he remained considerably behind grade level. Jamari continued to receive tutoring sessions over the summer and was one of the first POWER Pack recipients.

“He really likes it. He’s getting what he needs at home,” Janae said. “Jamari loves the different books and hands-on tools and usually uses the POWER Pack on the weekend.”

Jamari is currently in the third grade. His tutor Joanne Ghiglieri observed that the extra work Jamari put in at home has paid off. “When he first came in, he said, ‘Oh, I know that. Oh, I had that before.’ He’s familiar because he had that jump-start. It gave him confidence in himself, which is a great thing.”

“The one-on-one relationship and resources at home are significant for parents like me. He’s more engaged in the classroom and more self-confident.”—Janae, Jamari’s mother.

Since working with Miss Joanne this year, Jamari has advanced two reading levels, enjoyed reading books like Dr. Seuss’ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and used the POWER Pack to start writing sentences for his other school homework. He has even begun helping his first-grade sister in her reading!

“He sees what his tutor is doing and wants to do it with his sister,” Janae reported. “This will be really good for her!”

Thanks to his POWER Pack and tutor, Jamari has progressed two levels in reading.

Jamari’s progress is evident in class as well. “He’s more engaged in the classroom and more self-confident,” she said. “The one-on-one relationship and resources at home are significant for parents like me. He’s still a little behind, but he’s getting there.”

While Jamari still has work to do, he will continue to progress and should reach grade-level reading this year. However, many children like Jamari still need extra support to reach their God-given potential in school. Our vision is that one-on-one tutoring and family resources—a POWER boost—are available to all children in Oakland!

You can become a tutor today. Give an eager child the boost they need to reach 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!

* Names changed to protect the identity of the students

The Younger Family Fund Donates $25,000 to Address Early Literacy and Numeracy in Oakland

By Chelsea Boniak
February 16, 2022

Local Fund Supports Child Learning in Oakland’s Under-resourced Neighborhood Schools

Children Rising will use funds from the the Younger Family Fund to bolster our one-on-one tutoring programs to support both in-school and online tutoring, and reach many more children.

Children Rising is pleased to be the recipient of a generous grant from the Younger Family Fund to support and expand our proven one-on-one tutoring programs. This is the second $25,000 gift of a three-year commitment to Children Rising. We are so honored and thankful to have once again received this funding. Support from amazing local foundations enables children and youth in our community to rise above their challenges to reach their God-given potential.

Supporting vulnerable populations

The Younger Family Fund, founded in 1992, exists to support outstanding leaders and their nonprofits to improve the lives of vulnerable people around the globe through services in education, healthcare and delivery, economic opportunity, justice, and spiritual development.

Lack of early childhood literacy and numeracy is a national issue that directly impacts the future vitality and economic well-being of our local communities and country as a whole. Support from the Younger Family Fund will be used to scale our ability to train, coach, and equip hundreds more volunteers to tutor many more kids, and to do so at a deeper level. That includes empowering parents and guardians to support their children academically, providing homework support in addition to tutoring, continuing with tutoring over the summer, and, when needed, into a second year of tutoring in the third grade.

Thanks to the Younger Family fund. We are grateful for your ongoing support—working together to empower children and families in our community.

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!

The Callison Foundation Donates $25,000 to Bolster Early Literacy in Oakland

By Chelsea Boniak
January 12, 2022

Local Foundation Supports Children in Oakland’s Under-resourced Neighborhood Schools

Children Rising will use funds from the Callison Foundation grant to bolster our Succeeding by Reading program to support both in-school and online tutoring, and reach many more children.

The Callison foundation has recently awarded Children Rising a generous $25,000 grant. The funding will help support Succeeding by Reading, our proven one-on-one interventional literacy tutoring program. We are so honored and thankful to have once again received this funding. Support from amazing local corporations and foundations enables children and youth in our community to rise above their challenges to reach their God-given potential.

A focus on local education and youth development

The Callison Foundation, founded in 1965, supports education, children’s and youth services, and adult/senior services in nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. They typically fund smaller organizations with unique, local service offerings. Our Succeeding by Reading tutoring program aligns well with those education and youth development goals. Our focus on Oakland community schools most impacted by poverty, violence, and educational inequity nurture children who typically face multiple obstacles to education. As a result, the foundation has awarded Children Rising with a grant each year since 2018.

Children Rising will use funds from the grant to bolster our Succeeding by Reading program to support both in-school and online tutoring. This provides us the opportunity to reach more children and extend our tutoring services to include homework support, additional tutoring sessions, and support parents as partners in our tutoring process. All of these capabilities will accelerate learning for the children we serve.

Thanks to the Callison Foundation. We are grateful for your ongoing support—working together to empower children and families in our community.

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!

Perspectives — We Tip Our Hat to You AND Our Educators

By Jim Wambach
December 9, 2021

“A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others.” — Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

As we count down the closing days of 2021, I feel a profound sense of hope, confidence, and momentum in our community schools. That comes in no small part from your eagerness to support children, youth, and families in our community through your time, talent, and gifts. It has made all the difference as we adjust to the challenges of one-on-one tutoring in the era of COVID.

Thank you. We could not have possibly served the children this year without you.

Math and reading tutors provide individual care and instruction to children eager to learn and provide much-needed support to teachers.

We are also grateful for everyone in the extended Children Rising family. Over the years, Children Rising has developed strong partnerships with our local educators. The challenges they have faced day after day and year after year have been daunting. COVID compounded those challenges. Our teachers quickly pivoted and learned to teach remotely for an entire year, but their frustrations had to be great. Not only were they working much longer hours, they knew they were less effective instructing the children.

A year later, teachers no longer have to teach remotely. However, they now face steep learning curves where 80% of the children in their classrooms are two or more years behind grade level. Imagine trying to prepare 30 second-graders to be ready for the third grade when many of them don’t even know the letters of the alphabet or can’t count to 100! We are simply in awe of the dedication and passion our educators have for the children and youth in our community. They continue to exert extraordinary efforts to ensure the kids receive the care and instruction they so richly deserve.

Children are happy to be back in school. Your support empowers them to recover as quickly as possible from COVID-related learning loss.

We are honored to work side by side with them and support their efforts with our interventional tutoring programs, Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math. This year, we are partnering with as many schools as possible as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the teachers’ extraordinary tenacity, enthusiasm, and dedication to providing for the needs of the children in their classrooms.

Our goal is to support those teachers by providing individual care, attention, and instruction to the children they refer to us—empowering those children to recover as quickly as possible from COVID-related learning loss.

The past year and a half has been a challenge for all of us, especially our educators. They are on the front lines, every day, caring for our kids, instructing them, and dedicating the best of themselves to the future generation. It is a noble calling.

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to every member of the Children Rising family. The children need all of us now, more than ever.

For the children,

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!

Safeway Foundation Provides $30,000 Grant to Promote Social Justice and Racial Equity

By Chelsea Boniak
October 5, 2021

Local corporation supports initiatives to eliminate inequities and address needs of racial and ethnic minority groups

Safeway Foundation is funding programs that address social justice and racial equity initiatives in order to improve the well-being and security of communities of color.

Children Rising is pleased to be the recipient of a generous $30,000 grant from the Safeway Foundation that will provide much-needed assistance to children and youth in our community impacted by social and racial inequity.

The grant is made possible by the Albertsons Companies Racial and Social Justice Grant Program. It is designed to fund programs, activities, initiatives, or educational outreach that helps eliminate inequities and address the unique needs of racial and ethnic minority groups in the community.

“Racial justice and equality cannot be achieved by people returning to the status quo. We must intentionally open a door to lasting change across our country,” said Albertsons Companies President and CEO Vivek Sankaran. “We’ve seen unity in the seas of people throughout the country demanding justice for those whose lives were senselessly taken and calling for an end to hatred, intolerance, and systemic racism. We will be part of the solution by helping our communities lay the foundation for racial equality and social justice.”

Funding programs that address educational inequity

Safeway Foundation’s ongoing support of children and youth in the Oakland community is helping to build bridges to a better future.

The purpose of this funding is to encourage, empower and engage social justice and racial equity initiatives in order to improve the well-being and security of communities of color.

Our Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math tutoring programs align well with those goals. And our focus on neighborhood schools most impacted by poverty, violence, and educational inequity nurture children who typically face multiple obstacles to education.

Alongside a $15,000 grant from Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Summer Meals program, the $45,000 funding from both grants will support children, youth, and families in Children Rising programs. It also underscores the 10-year partnership between Children Rising and Safeway.

Thank you to the Safeway Foundation for your ongoing support of children and youth in the Oakland community. Your support is helping to build bridges to a better future.

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!

Perspectives – State superintendent sets goal to get all California third graders reading by 2026

By Jim Wambach
September 24, 2021

“We already know that when students learn to read, they can read to learn anything and that this is a gateway skill that can carry them to any point in their life, career, and in their journey.” — Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Low childhood literacy rates have been a challenge for educators in Oakland. Now, after years of low reading scores statewide, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has pledged to get all third-grade students in California reading by 2026.

On Tuesday, Thurmond held a joint press event with education leaders from throughout the state where he introduced plans to create a task force to study the problem and make policy recommendations. The task force will be comprised of educators, parents, students, and education experts. In addition to announcing the task force formation, newly-elected Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, has agreed to sponsor legislation to help advance this goal.

“We already know that when students learn to read, they can read to learn anything and that this is a gateway skill that can carry them to any point in their life, career, and in their journey,” Thurmond said. “We also know that when students don’t learn to read by third grade, they are at greater risk to drop out of school, and they are at greater risk to end up in the criminal justice system. From my standpoint, this is a strategy that is about many things: helping children learn to read, but also putting them on a path that can create success for them. Our students can learn and overcome obstacles, but we have to give them the resources to do that, and now is clearly the time to advance this.”

Family engagement is key to learning, and to improving low childhood literacy rates throughout the state.

The task force and legislation, to be formally introduced in 2022, will explore a wide range of areas, including professional learning to teach reading, family engagement strategies, methods for getting books in the hands of students and their families, and “cobbling together” literacy efforts throughout the entire state towards an identified, stated goal.

Although light on details, Children Rising is encouraged by this announcement. It reflects the work that we as an organization have been passionate about for the last 20 years.

“California has to work together to prioritize that early care learning of its youngest children. We believe that early targeted literacy interventions can improve outcomes for an entire generation of Californian’s children.” — Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Chief Deputy Director from First 5 California

Our community enablement model hinges on professional learning to teach reading to struggling children. We recruit, train, and support caring adults to become literacy tutors so they can step in and help a child from day one. It becomes a type of vocation to which our tutors joyfully and diligently commit. The numbers bear this out as each year, 80% of our tutors return ready to help more eager children.

Family engagement is key to childhood learning. As the pandemic put more and more pressure on families, Children Rising has focused on engaging parents in their child’s tutoring. Our summer POWER Packs and food gift cards have encouraged increased levels of parental engagement and partnership with their child’s literacy. Effectively building relationships of mutual respect between parents and the teacher/tutor are key for parental engagement and accelerated learning.

Our library services team has done a remarkable job of getting books into the hands of eager young readers. By opening elementary school libraries that have stood closed for years, and by supporting libraries short on resources, children have been able to experience the thrill of reading for fun. This, in turn, will help them when it comes time to read to learn.

Partnerships will be crucial for the success of these efforts. By “cobbling together” all of the literacy efforts statewide — including those of nonprofits like Children Rising — California can reach this lofty goal.

Children Rising’s community enablement model works because we recruit, train, and support caring adults to become literacy tutors. They can step in and help a child from day one.

“California has to work together to prioritize that early care learning of its youngest children,” said Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Chief Deputy Director from First 5 California. “We believe that early targeted literacy interventions can improve outcomes for an entire generation of Californian’s children, and we are so grateful and look forward to working with Superintendent Thurmond and the team to make literacy a reality for all California kids.”

Before ending the press conference, Superintendent Thurmond encouraged those interested in participating in this new literacy effort or who wish to learn more to email statewideliteracycampaign@cde.ca.gov. Thurmond also called for efforts to get books in the hands of as many students and families as possible.

Children Rising will continue to be part of the solution of ensuring that every California student will learn to read by third grade by the year 2026. That would indeed make a generational impact in Oakland and all of California.

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!

Safeway Foundation Donates $15,000 to Provide Meals to Students in Children Rising Programs

By Chelsea Boniak
September 14, 2021

Nourishing Neighbors Program helps children and families struggling with food insecurity

Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program and Children Rising are providing much-needed assistance to children and families facing food insecurity.

Children Rising is pleased to be the recipient of a generous grant from Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors that will help provide much-needed assistance to the children in our community impacted by food insecurity.

Many hunger relief organizations continue to be overloaded by increased hunger issues caused by the pandemic. Children can be especially susceptible to hunger during weekend and vacation breaks when school is out. Through the Nourishing Neighbors initiative, Safeway Foundation continues to focus on addressing hunger issues in the communities they serve.

Your gifts ensure that every child has the healthy food and nourishment they need to succeed in school and thrive. Thank you!

Children Rising will provide Safeway gift cards to families of children enrolled in our Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math online tutoring programs. In addition to providing another source of addressing a family’s food insecurity, the gift cards will encourage increased levels of parental engagement and partnership with their child’s literacy and math tutor. Effectively building relationships of mutual respect between parents and the teacher/tutor is key for parental engagement and accelerated learning.

Thanks to the Safeway Foundation. We are grateful to be part of the Nourishing Neighbors Family and working together to empower children and families in our community.

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!

Children Rising Receives $10,000 Grant from Clorox Company Foundation

By Chelsea Boniak
July 15, 2021

Local corporation supports children in Oakland’s under-resourced neighborhood schools

Support from amazing local corporations like the Clorox Company Foundation enables children and youth in our community to rise above their challenges to reach their God-given potential.

This past month, The Clorox Company Foundation awarded Children Rising a $10,000 grant to support our proven one-on-one interventional literacy and math tutoring programs. We are so honored and thankful to have once again received this funding. Support from amazing local corporations and foundations enables children and youth in our community to rise above their challenges to reach their God-given potential.

The Clorox Company Foundation, founded in 1980, has a mission to foster healthy and inclusive communities so people can be well and thrive. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded cash grants totaling nearly $130 million to nonprofit organizations, including annual grants to Children Rising since 2006.

Youth Development and Education

Grant consideration prioritizes organizations and programs that “provide differentiated and personalized interventions for young people that address persistent barriers to opportunity and are responsive to unique challenges faced by young people in their local communities. Education grants will focus on decreasing the achievement gaps in literacy and STEM for capable young people who deserve to learn, but who face multiple obstacles.”

Your gifts ensure that 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. Thank you!

“Local corporation supports children in Oakland’s under-resourced neighborhood school“Education grants will focus on decreasing the achievement gaps in literacy and STEM for capable young people who deserve to learn, but who face multiple obstacles.”

Our Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math tutoring programs align well with those youth development and education goals. And our focus on neighborhood schools most impacted by poverty, violence, and educational inequity nurtures children who typically face multiple obstacles to education.

Thank you to The Clorox Company Foundation for your ongoing support of children and youth in the Oakland community. Your support is helping to build bridges to a better future.

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!

Perspectives – Bridging Digital Divide Provides Online Tutoring Opportunity for All

By Jim Wambach
July 13, 2021

“The Internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity.” – President Barack Obama

Over the last six months, Children Rising has launched online versions of our proven reading and math tutoring clinics. This greatly enhances our ability to support elementary school children who have fallen even further behind in their reading and math abilities due to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

None of this would have been possible without the amazing progress the community has made in bridging the digital divide.

“With a levelling of the playing field in access to technology, we see a profound opportunity for community partners to take the Oakland community a step closer to the day when every child can have access to a tutor, regardless of their family’s financial resources.”

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 ensuring that every student in Oakland has access to a computer and the internet. It was a herculean effort with wide-ranging benefits for children, youth, and families who struggled to keep up with technology requirements of 21st century education. And it was long overdue!

Your support helped close the digital divide and ensures that children struggling in reading and math are no longer excluded by lack of technology or financial resources.

With a leveling of the playing field in access to technology, we see a profound opportunity for community partners to take the Oakland community a step closer to the day when every child can have access to a tutor, regardless of their family’s financial resources. Children Rising’s online tutoring provides opportunities for many more caring adults throughout the Bay Area to tutor a struggling child, all from the comfort of their home or office. And with additional tutors, we can come alongside many more students struggling in reading or math.

The online functionality is an enhancement of the proven Succeeding by Reading and Path2Math tutoring programs. Students in need of additional instruction will now be able to receive tutoring outside of school hours and throughout the summer. In addition, the ability to support parents in coaching their child, as well as provide access to educational tools, is a significant program enrichment.

Trained, caring tutors are key to empowering children to rise to their God-given potential. We can’t wait to get back to in-person tutoring, but now our amazing tutors are available online as well. We recognized this unique opportunity so that when students do return to the classroom, we will be better prepared to support and empower many more children, their families, and our school partners.

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!

Carlos Gets a Boost From Online Tutor

By Eric Steckel
July 6, 2021

Eager student overcoming COVID-related learning loss with online tutor

Your support of Children Rising programs helped Carlos recover from loss of learning caused by the closing of schools last March.

Carlos has a smile and infectious personality that lights up a Zoom meeting room. He is an eager second-grader who enjoys learning. However, Carlos has struggled with distance learning since schools closed last March. To help overcome his learning loss, teachers enrolled him in Succeeding by Reading Anywhere, the online version of our proven reading tutoring program.

“When I was first reaching out to Carlos’s family to arrange for pre-testing, Carlos’s mother told me that she knew that her son needed help with reading. But she didn’t know how to help him. She didn’t know what to do to help him develop reading skills,” explained Rebecca Buckley, Director of Succeeding by Reading.

A literacy diagnostic indicated that Carlos was indeed significantly behind grade-level reading for a second-grader. He began working with reading tutor Anne Yamada midway through the school year and quickly won her over.

“He has a positive outlook. He doesn’t hesitate to seize the moment and celebrate when he’s learning something new.” Anne told us. “I hear him laughing and giggling, and that is just a wonderful thing to experience with him.”

The Succeeding by Reading program starts by working with a child based on the skills they already know. This creates a solid foundation and builds confidence in themselves. We then start adding new skills, little by little. Despite working with a tutor for less than half of the school year, Carlos has made significant gains.

“I also feel that it’s one of the most meaningful ways that you can spend 55 minutes of your week — helping a child with reading and changing a life.” – Anne Yamada, Succeeding by Reading online tutor

Online tutors like Anne are helping students overcome learning loss and get back to grade level.

“He’s increased his sight word vocabulary by 95 words.” Anne was happy to report. “We’ve read through five levels of books and have progressed to the next learning tier. His comprehension is really starting to take hold in that he reads with expression, he self-corrects, and he’s enjoying the storyline so much more.”

Although the 2020-2021 school year has ended and Carlos is still significantly behind grade-level reading, this determined lad’s journey with us isn’t finished yet. Because of our development of online tutoring, we can work with students outside of the normal school calendar, and train and place more caring tutors for the upcoming year. That means Carlos will continue his tutoring twice a week during the summer and can reenroll in Succeeding by Reading in the third grade.

“I think it’s just amazing and remarkable that Children Rising was able to pivot so quickly and design this wonderful online program that enables regular people like me to tutor the children,” Anne said. “I also feel that it’s one of the most meaningful ways that you can spend 55 minutes of your week — helping a child with reading and changing a life.”

With hard work and the extra support from a caring tutor, Carlos should overcome the learning loss he has experienced and reach grade-level reading next year. That transformative experience will be a springboard for him to reach his God-given potential in elementary school, middle school, and beyond.

* Names changed to protect the identity of the students

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!

Perspectives – Oakland Undivided Forever Maintains Path Toward Closing Digital Divide, Achieving Educational Equity

By Jim Wambach
July 1, 2021

Access to Technology ensures that all children in Oakland have a fair and equitable chance to succeed in school

Your support of Children Rising and Oakland Undivided is closing the digital divide and laying the groundwork for lasting educational equity.

On June 30th, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and its Oakland Undivided partners announced the celebration and expansion of their vision for closing the digital divide and achieving lasting educational equity. Children Rising could not be more delighted with this fantastic news.

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 over the past year. With the announcement of Oakland Undivided FOREVER, this groundbreaking program will be extended long into the future.

This is an important development for our community schools!

Access to technology not only closes the digital divide. It ensures that all children in Oakland have a fair and equitable chance to succeed in school and reach their God-given potential in life.

“Lack of technology and internet access is an equity issue across the country, and Oakland shows us that a solution is not only within reach, but that it can happen very quickly.” — Cindy Marten, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education

It also lays the groundwork for nonprofits to provide expanded enrichment programs for students in need of additional academic support. Just last month, Children Rising announced the launch of free online math and reading tutoring to boost the COVID recovery for elementary school children. Online tutoring is only made possible through student access to technology and the closing of the digital divide that has hampered so many students from low-income backgrounds.

We applaud the efforts of our community leaders in making this public-private partnership a reality.

“In order to achieve equity in education, we must guarantee that all students have the tools they need to succeed,” said OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell. “Let’s face it, in the 21st century if you don’t have a computer and internet connectivity, you are at a serious disadvantage because you cannot do your work remotely, and worse, you can’t access the world of information that exists on the web. We must ensure that all Oakland students have the same ability to access their education as their peers here and across the country.”

Oakland Undivided raised more than $12.5 million and distributed more than 29,000 computers and 10,000 internet hot spots to students in need to keep at home, along with accessible culturally competent tech support for all. In less than a year.

This is a momentous announcement and one that the entire Oakland community should be proud of. Indeed, our national leaders have taken notice as well.

“What Oakland is doing for their students and families in closing the digital divide is remarkable,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, Cindy Marten. “Lack of technology and internet access is an equity issue across the country, and Oakland shows us that a solution is not only within reach, but that it can happen very quickly. #OaklandUndivided is a thoughtful, strategic model that addresses both immediate needs and sustainable solutions to close the digital divide for good.”

If people want to help, online tutoring means that opportunities are more possible and more important than ever. Just an hour of time, once a week, allows a caring adult to tutor a struggling student in reading or math and make a lasting difference in that child’s life, all from the comfort of their home or office. Thanks to Oakland Undivided for making so much of this possible… for the children!

YES, I CAN ensure children have a fair and equitable chance in school!

 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!

Library Services – Sharing the Joy of Reading

By Eric Steckel
April 5, 2021

Your support of library services for young children means they get to hear from historic figures like Don Luis Maria Peralta.

Children love a good story, something that lets their imagination soar! Despite constraints imposed by distance learning, our Succeeding by Reading Library Services Program has continued to open the doors of reading to the kids in our community. Here are a few ways they have shared the joy of reading.

• Grab-and-Go Book Giveaway – We have received – and given away – over 3,000 books this school year. The books we receive are new or slightly used. We clean them up, package 4 or 5 of them in a handy tote, and give them to the children and their families at designated locations.
• School Library Book Circulation – Working inside the MLK, Jr. and Carl Munck Elementary School libraries, we have developed approximately 900 loaner bags (of 4-5 books each) so that students have access to quality books. Even when the students get back to school, library visits may be prohibitive, so this is a way to keep books in the hands of eager young readers.
• Online Book Reading – We continue to share stories with the children through online reading sessions. In celebration of Black History Month, we added a historic component to the sessions, focusing on the role Children Rising volunteers played in the civil rights movement. And for a special treat, Miss Kim reads a birthday book personalized for kindergarten children celebrating a birthday. They love it! (See the video below.)
• Expanded Library Locations – This year we have been working with Carl Munck Elementary School to reopen a school library that has stood closed for five years.

YES, I CAN share the joy of reading with an eager child!

 I am interested in online tutoring. Tell me more!

 I want help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs.

Succeeding by Reading Literacy Tutoring Re-Launches Online

By Eric Steckel
April 1, 2021

Opportunities to innovate in support of student learning

Your support during our pivot to online tutoring provides exciting opportunities to innovate for improved student learning.

Succeeding by Reading Anywhere – Children Rising’s one-on-one, online literacy tutoring program – officially launched the first week of January, and expanded in February to serve seven schools. We are delighted to once again work with children so eager to learn to read.

The launch comes after months of development. Rebecca Buckley, Succeeding by Reading program director, and Bekah Wilson, program manager, began by diligently researching online versions of our current materials as well as hands-on learning tools that would be accessible to students and tutors alike.

Clinic coordinators Jeannette Brantley, Brenda Paulin, and Gwen Stephens reviewed the new materials, and together the team developed a platform that would equip tutors to use the materials online with their kids. The team then trained our energized returning tutors to become proficient at using the new system.

“It’s been quite an adventure, and we are thrilled to begin deploying tutors to serve many more students and families this month,” Rebecca Buckley said.

More than just a program pivot

The COVID-enforced distance learning directives meant that the SbR team had to entirely reimagine how tutors and students could work together productively. However, it provided our team the opportunity to integrate improvements into the curriculum to better align with current research and equip our tutors to serve students even more effectively.

Online versions of our materials, coupled with hands-on learning tools and trained, caring tutors, empowers children to learn to read.

One of the new developments involved expanding the scope of the Succeeding by Reading curriculum to address the needs of students who may have missed key elements in early-childhood learning. Some children are farther behind in their reading skills than we were previously able to address. Along with adapting our clinic model to the online environment, we are now prepared to say “Yes” to students who are farther behind their peers.

“We’ve taken advantage of this unexpected opportunity for deeper reflection on our work with students and more extensive research on reading. This has led us to review and improve our materials in order to better respond to the needs of struggling readers. So perhaps there is a silver lining to this pandemic time.” – Rebecca Buckley

The online tutoring model provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships and actively partner with the families, providing support in a far more holistic way. This includes homework assistance, additional tutoring for students in need of that little bit of extra help, and guidance in accessing laptops, hotspots, headphones, and more from the Oakland Unified School District.

Your support has allowed us to act immediately and effectively on behalf of the children. With the addition of online tutoring, many more members of our community will be able to come alongside a child and help them learn to read.

Your $250 pairs a second-grade child with a personal tutor for the remainder of the academic year.

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!

Online Tutoring Will Help Adelyn and Enrique to Read At Grade Level

By Eric Steckel
March 25, 2021

Our tutors have missed seeing the children and are eager to get back to online tutoring this year.

When shelter in place was ordered and schools closed in March of 2020, distance learning swept into schools across the country. It has been a challenge to completely transform to online instruction, while simultaneously teaching the children. Over time, the teachers who dedicate themselves to our kids have gotten better at distance learning, but there are still challenges.

Children Rising recently launched Succeeding by Reading Anywhere at La Escuelita Elementary School in Oakland. Ms. Debra*, a second-grade teacher, shared that it has been harder to get to know her students this year “…because it’s all online. I’ve only met them in person a couple of times.” She also pointed out that it is harder than ever to find one-on-one time with students.

“Sometimes they just need that little bit of extra watering so they can flower and bloom.” — Ms. Debra

Adelyn* and Enrique* are cousins who are both in Ms. Debra’s class. The two bright, eager children were recently paired with a trained, one-on-one reading tutor. “I can tell they are both very bright,” Ms. Debra said. “Sometimes they just need that little bit of extra watering so they can flower and bloom.”

While it is too early to measure tangible results, our conversations with Ms. Debra, as well as Adelyn and Enrique’s family and tutors, give us confidence that online tutoring will play a role in getting kids to read at grade level, now and in the future. Having seen the impact of one-on-one tutoring over the past several years, Ms. Debra is confident that “…they will come back to the classroom with more confidence in their skills.”

Adelyn

Your support of Adelyn and Enrique will empower them to “…come back to the classroom with more confidence in their skills.”

Adelyn is an active seven-year-old girl who loves to learn new things. “But right now she’s struggling with distance learning because it’s hard for her to focus at home.” explained her mother, Brenda. “She gets a little distracted when her teacher is teaching, she starts spacing out.”

Adelyn began working with Mr. George, a seasoned reading tutor, two weeks ago. “She was shy at first, which was no surprise as we are not together in person. But at the end of the first session she warmed up.” said Mr. George.

Full of youthful energy, Adelyn is often a blur of motion on the screen during her tutoring sessions. However, she was dialed in to Mr. George, followed along with the online reading games, and even smiled and patted herself on the back when told that she had done well on a difficult exercise. “That was the first time I encouraged a child to pat themselves on the back,” he explained. “It seemed like a good way to get her engaged.” And it worked.

Adelyn’s mother is thankful for the extra attention. She shared that it has been difficult for Adelyn to complete all her homework assignments. “If she has any questions, she won’t come to me for help. I hope that she’s more open and confident with her tutor.” This has been a familiar concern and one that our online program capability can address. Students in need of additional homework support can get extra time with their tutors outside of the classroom time.

Enrique

Enrique is a sensitive, caring little boy who absolutely loves playing video games. Although he claims to “love distance learning”, he gets extremely distracted by the video screen and tempted to play games. Like all of the other children in the program, Enrique currently reads substantially below grade level. His Aunt Brenda hopes that through working one on one with his tutor Miss Marge, he will be able to catch up to his peers in reading.

“He’s not reading much,” Aunt Brenda shared. “When he’s at the computer, he would rather be playing video games.”

With the support and encouragement of a one-on-one tutor, Enrique engages and willingly participates in every task asked of him,” Miss Marge reports. “Each week, he seems to breeze through something that was giving him trouble the week before.”

Getting a child’s attention and encouraging them to try and learn new things “…is a difference-maker,” Aunt Brenda told me. “Ms. Debra has limited time, and extra one-on-one time is going to really help Enrique catch up.”

Work to be done
Eager young readers like Adelyn and Enrique have missed a significant amount of time in class. Through Succeeding by Reading Anywhere’s online tutoring, you are helping them to catch up on missed opportunities. We look forward to following their progress and sharing that with you in the months to come.

* Names changed to protect the identity of the students

Your $100 equips 4 second-graders with the necessary books, technology, and supplies needed for a year of tutoring.

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!

Perspectives – Online Tutoring Fosters Holistic Relationships With Children and Families

By Jim Wambach
January 26, 2021

Unintended consequences can be a great thing. As Children Rising develops our one-on-one online tutoring resources to address the challenges of distance learning, we are discovering many outcomes that will better support the children and families, and foster holistic relationships.

Online tutoring tools are fun and engaging for the children, and they allow us to gather real-time data to track the progress of the child. However, the connections we have been able to make with the families of our kids is a significant, additional benefit derived from online tutoring. We are excited that the impact is significant now, and will carry over into the future even after schools open and in-person tutoring resumes. By establishing a one-on-one connection with the families, we are better able to partner with them and provide support for their children in a far more holistic way.

“Perhaps most importantly, the relationships we have forged have shown the families that they are not alone, and others in the community care enough to help their child.”

We first noticed how eager parents were for their children to receive online tutoring when we launched Path2Math Anywhere. These parents could not afford a tutor for their children. Concerned their children were falling further and further behind, they took time out of their busy, often hectic schedules, to learn about our tools. They were so incredibly eager for additional resources and welcomed the opportunity to partner with us. This has opened up important relationships we were unable to forge through our traditional in-school model.

Deeper, richer relationships with children and their families

Your support helped us deliver one-on-one online tutoring, which has allowed us to develop deeper, richer relationships with children and their families.

As the tutor-parent-student relationships blossomed, we began to ask ourselves, “What more can we do?” We noticed that while the parents were eager for academic support, many of them needed help accessing technology and getting their child online. Through our newfound relationships, we were able to listen to their needs, and provide them with guidance in accessing laptops, hot spots, headphones, and more from the Oakland Unified School District, as well as other outlets.

Once connected, many parents were concerned that their child was already far behind in their homework assignments. They asked if they could receive homework support in addition to tutoring. One boy was an astounding 17 assignments behind just two months into the school year! Unconstrained by class schedules, we began to include homework support as part of the tutoring to help students catch up and better understand their assignments. Now we are able to assist the children as they learn the foundational skills, and then guide them through their assignments when they need a little extra help.

Demarcus was 17 assignments behind just 2 months into the school year. You helped his family get the resources he needed to catch up to his classmates.

Perhaps most importantly, the relationships we have forged have shown the families that they are not alone, and others in the community care enough to help their child. So many of them are feeling the stress of balancing an already difficult set of life challenges with the additional responsibilities imposed by the daily demands of distance learning. Our tutors and clinic coordinators provide an understanding ear and a knowledgeable resource that can help guide them.

All of this underscores what we have known all along, that it’s all about relationships. Thanks to an unintended consequence of distance learning, we are now developing deeper, richer relationships with children and their families. Relationships that we believe will accelerate a child’s ability to learn and catch-up to grade-level skills in reading and math in the months and years ahead.

PS: Please consider joining the Children Rising Legacy Circle, a group of passionate supporters who have created a legacy gift. Legacy gifts may be including Children Rising in their will, or making us a beneficiary of their life insurance. For years to come, you will ensure that an elementary school child has a dedicated tutor and friend, or a high school youth has a caring mentor.

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!

Advocacy: Speaking on behalf of or in support of vulnerable children

By Jim Wambach
March 11, 2020

Perspectives Article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” — Fred Rogers

Our dedicated community volunteers – who tutor reading and math, mentor high school youth, provide library services, feed the hungry, and support our staff – are indeed heroes. They are all responding to an urgent need to address the substantial educational disparity that exists for children growing up in our lowest-income neighborhoods and attending local schools.

Every week throughout the school year, our volunteer tutors make it possible for a struggling boy or girl to receive one-on-one attention that tells that child they matter, despite where they live or the immense challenges they must overcome. The tutoring session is dedicated to teaching reading skills or building a basic math foundation, but our heroes’ true superpowers involve listening, encouraging, and being truly present for their child. Volunteer tutors are fueled by a deep commitment to nurturing a vulnerable child and making a difference in our community. This is advocacy.

Caring tutors establish relationships with students that stimulate learning and build self-worth.

By simultaneously building learning and self-worth, our tutors empower these children with hope, the courage to dream, and an opportunity to thrive.

“I know you can’t live on hope alone; but without hope, life is not worth living. So you, and you and you: you got to give them hope; you got to give them hope.” ― Harvey Milk

The need is great. The solution is simple, but not easy. Please consider volunteering or making a financial gift. Everyone can be an advocate as we all work to give these wonderful children a more just and fair opportunity to rise to their potential.

YES, I CAN help a vulnerable child SOAR to their God-given potential.

 I want to visit a reading or math clinic to see if tutoring is right for me!

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

Children Rising Celebrates Our 30th Tutoring Clinic!

By Eric Steckel
February 27, 2020

Your support allows us to respond to heartfelt needs from our community schools so we may help struggling students soar to their potential.

In early January, Children Rising opened a Path2Math clinic at Grass Valley Elementary School. This marked a milestone as we celebrated our 30th tutoring clinic. What makes it special is that it bears the hallmarks of Children Rising initiatives since our very beginning as Faith Network of the East Bay.

Late last fall, Casey Beckner, the principal at Grass Valley Elementary School, called Children Rising. She asked if we could provide tutoring in math and reading to the many students she observed to be two grade levels behind. Although we don’t normally begin clinics in the middle of the year, we understood the gravity of the situation. Like the very first school we worked in – Burbank Elementary School – there was a heartfelt need. We agreed to roll up our sleeves and partner with Grass Valley for the children.

Margena Wade-Green, Path2Math program director, and Michelle Hutcherson, Path2Math program manager, went to Grass Valley and conducted assessments. They found the majority of the students were indeed one to two grade levels behind where they should be. Although we did not have tutors available to serve Grass Valley, Margena and Michelle were undeterred. They revised the curriculum, found Barbara, an eager new tutor, and began working with 15 of the lowest-performing students.

Volunteer math tutors like Barbara make it possible for vulnerable children to catch up to their peers in school.

“It’s not hard work, and it’s a labor of love. It is so gratifying to see the children leave our clinic happy and with a better attitude toward learning, and that makes all the difference in their development. We make sure they leave on a high note, even if it’s the only one they have all day.” – Margena Wade Green

The biggest hurdle to overcome was to encourage and incentivize learning. “The children simply did not have the structure or foundation to learn, nor the consistency in their instruction,” Margena said. “Many of the kids have a tendency to give up. We are providing a foundation to learn and, just as importantly, the encouragement to not give up.”

Things are going very well so far. The children are excited to learn and empowered by the opportunity. “It’s not hard work, and it’s a labor of love. It is so gratifying to see the children leave our clinic happy and with a better attitude toward learning, and that makes all the difference in their development. We make sure they leave on a high note, even if it’s the only one they have all day.”

You are helping us to expand our services in Grass Valley Elementary School and help many more children in math and reading.

We look forward to expanding our partnership with Grass Valley Elementary School. Since the start of our Path2Math clinic, we have been working to launch a Succeeding by Reading clinic and are eager to begin next year with a full head of steam.

Like the many other schools we serve, there is so much need at Grass Valley. If you are interested in being a math or reading tutor, this is your opportunity to come alongside a vulnerable child and empower them to rise to their God-given potential. Become a tutor now!

YES, I CAN help a vulnerable child SOAR to their God-given potential.

 I want to visit a math or reading clinic to see if it is right for me!

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

“The Border Is Here” – What Can We Do About It?

By Eric Steckel
February 20, 2020

Perspectives Article by Eric Steckel, Communications Manager

“I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.” – Harriet Tubman

For many of the children we tutor, English is their second language, and they are struggling to overcome the language barrier in school.

Last week, Children Rising participated in the Project Peace Speaker Series event “The Border Is Here”. The panel discussion included a wide array of speakers discussing the issues surrounding immigration from unique perspectives of housing, education, policy, the legal system, and the specific East Bay context.

As Rev. Deborah Lee, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, stated from the outset, there were going to be elements of the conversation that would make us squirm in our seats. That certainly reflects the complex nature of the immigration debate in our country. However, whatever your personal beliefs, it was refreshing to be in a room with people of good will, exploring and pondering the difficult questions we as a nation, a state, and a region are confronting.

“42% of the students we tutor in reading and math are Latino. 30% are English learners, speaking their native language at home and struggling with English at school.”

The issue of immigration, and “the stranger in our midst,” touches Children Rising on a daily basis. As I interviewed Succeeding by Reading clinic coordinator Gwen Stephens for a recent newsletter article, I was reminded that for many of the children we tutor, English is their second language. 42% of the students we tutor in reading and math are Latino. 30% are English learners, speaking their native language at home and struggling with English at school. Indeed, for our tutors, the border is here. Children Rising is doing something about it by teaching these children fundamental reading and math skills so they can rise above the additional challenges of learning in a second language.

Find something sustainable and close to your heart that you can do to make a difference in the life of a struggling child.

As the evening concluded, a question came in from the audience: What do you recommend we do about it? For people of good will, that is the question that leads to action, and several of the responses were empowering.

1. Go to another event and become involved in finding a solution. It’s easy, but don’t stop here.
2. Find something sustainable and close to your heart that you can do to make a difference. Then commit to it.

The good news? The opportunity is at hand to empower these and many other vulnerable children who are surrounded by poverty and attending severely under resourced schools. One-on-one tutors meeting with students each week, are nurturing hope, the courage to dream, and the opportunity to thrive – and making a generational impact in our community, one precious child at a time.

YES, I CAN help a vulnerable child rise above the challenges of learning in a second language.

 I want to visit a math or reading clinic to see if it is right for me!

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

“High-Energy” Student Thrives with Individual Attention

By Chelsea Boniak
December 21, 2019

Jean helped Luis focus his high energy and learn to read.

Despite initial challenges, Luis learned to read

Luis* and his tutor Jean are an unlikely pair. Last school year, Luis was a high-energy second grader. Although very smart, he could hardly sit still and had trouble focusing long enough to learn. Jean moves through life at a slower, more relaxed pace and started the school year unsure of how to relate to Luis. In fact, Jean considered asking to swap students with another tutor so both she and Luis could be paired with someone with whom each could have more success. But Jean decided to commit to Luis and remain consistent for him, with extra support from Succeeding by Reading Program Manager Bekah Wilson.

At the beginning of the school year, Luis was reading below a kindergarten grade level. His teacher, Ms. Dana, describes him as sweet and motivated to improve. He was always happy to attend tutoring and enjoyed the one-on-one attention and support he received from Jean each week. “There was no real ‘lightbulb moment,’” recalls Jean, “just slow and steady progress.” That steady progress led to amazing results: Luis had nearly caught up to grade level by the end of the school year!

“… the opportunity to receive extra help and see himself making progress each week was encouraging and validating for Luis, and made him feel better both in and out of the clinic.”

Luis and Jean (center in red and white shirts) were an unlikely pair, but they both received the extra support they needed to make significant progress together.

Luis’ blossoming relationship with Jean produced positive results outside of the reading clinic as well. Ms. Dana remembers Luis’ overall mood improving as his reading improved. She believes two important factors were at play in this shift. First, the personal attention made Luis feel valued and seen. “Who wouldn’t do better with some extra attention?” Ms. Dana asked. Luis’ story is a common one: the youngest sibling in a single-parent household, with his mother working long hours to provide for her family. We know that parents care deeply for their children, but when paying rent and putting food on the table is a struggle, individual academic attention can be very difficult to provide. Even in the best of circumstances, “every kid needs an adult relationship outside of family or a teacher,” Ms. Dana asserts. Jean’s role was bigger than simply that of a tutor: she was another caring adult who was choosing to spend an hour a week with Luis, and that in itself is a priceless gift.

Additionally, Ms. Dana points out, it’s obvious to kids-– especially at this age-– when they are struggling or need extra help. She likes to tell her students, “We are all gifted and talented in different ways, and we all need extra help in different things.” For a second grader who is struggling to read, it’s obvious to that child that they are not performing at the same level as their classmates. Having the opportunity to receive extra help and see himself making progress each week was encouraging and validating for Luis, and made him feel better both in and out of the clinic.

Ms. Dana is right– we do all need extra help in different ways. Luis needed some extra support to learn to read. His tutor, Jean, needed some extra support to learn how to relate to Luis and help him be successful. Bekah, Succeeding by Reading Program Manager, helped Jean with strategies to keep Luis focused. This team of caring adults, in tandem with his teacher and family, worked together to help Luis improve his reading skills by multiple grade levels in one school year, and set him up to be able to continue to succeed.

* Name changed to maintain confidentiality

YES, I CAN help a struggling child SOAR to their God-given potential.

 I want to attend an upcoming mentor or tutor orientation session to see if it is right for me!

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

Just 3 Weeks Left To Help 200 Children SOAR!

By Jim Wambach
November 21, 2019

Will you help a struggling child like Jadon soar to his God-given potential today?

As we embarked on the “I Want To Soar” Project, we set a high bar.

Our goal? To provide the opportunity for 200 more second-grade children struggling with grade-level math and reading to SOAR!

We have reached the midway point, and are grateful for your response.

So far community donations, matched by several major donors, have provided the springboard for 139 children to take flight and soar to their potential.

But we have a ways to go! Your support will provide a springboard for 61 more children to SOAR this year!

As we enter the second half our Matching Fund Campaign, a group of donors, just like you, will continue to match any donation up to $50,000 if received by December 3rd (mail or online).

On top of that, we have received a generous grant from the We Raise Foundation. IF you give online, an additional gift will be given up to $20,000.

With your help, and the wonderful support of the We Raise Foundation, we will meet our goal to support 200 additional children through one-on-one tutoring in math and reading.

Thank you for whatever you can do to help a child have a fair chance and escape the cycle of poverty.

PS, Do you have family or friends who care about education and the future of children in Oakland? Help us tell others and raise support for “I Want To Soar” Project by sharing TODAY.

 I want to help a vulnerable child SOAR!

Rhema: A Little Girl Who Dreams of a Book In Every Child’s Hands

By Eric Steckel
October 21, 2019

I met Rhema and her father, Pastor David Hatfield-Dyels, at the June Hope For Children Now Gala. They were guests of Children Rising board member James Branch.

Rhema loves to read — two books a week. “Reading to me is like watching a movie in 3D,” she explains.

Alicia Lays a Foundation and Learns to Read

By Chelsea Boniak
October 16, 2019

One-to-one tutors like Janet (far left) build close relationships with struggling children like Alicia (not pictured). Trust lays a foundation for students to learn.

When we first met Alicia*, she was a second-grader at La Escuelita Elementary School who had trouble reading at a kindergarten grade level. Alicia built a close relationship with her Succeeding By Reading tutor Janet and told Janet that her mom had gone away. In order to maintain her Spanish skills to communicate with her mother when she returned, Alicia was enrolled in a bilingual class at school. Her father spoke Chinese at home, and it seemed as though there was no one in the family who was able to read with Alicia in English.

During that first year of tutoring, Alicia did not make much measurable progress, finishing the school year at the same reading level as when the year began. Janet could see that Alicia had potential and that she truly cared about learning, but the trauma of being separated from her mother and a lack of English language usage at home was making it difficult for her to move forward. Janet advocated that we work with Alicia again the following year, and requested to be her tutor once again.

Early in the following school year, Alicia excitedly told Janet that her mother had returned.

“From that day on,” Janet recalls, “she began to make progress. It was like a light bulb had switched on.” After Alicia got to a point where she could read some books on her own at the clinic, Janet made a deal with her that they would each individually read for 20 minutes every evening. By the end of the year, Alicia had caught up to her peers and was reading at a third-grade level!

“By the time she was ready to learn, she had the support, the tools, and the foundation to be able to fly.”

Janet points out that Alicia is a great reminder that this work is truly an investment and, sometimes, one with slow returns.

“She kind of just sat there for a year, and wasn’t able to make any progress while she struggled through a very traumatic experience,” Janet says. But, “by the time she was ready to learn, she had the support, the tools, and the foundation to be able to fly.”

Recalling other students who may not have experienced the “light switch moment” that Alicia did, Janet believes that the foundation work she laid was just as important. With the support and encouragement from a caring adult, when the child is ready, they will have the tools they need to rise above their challenges regardless of whether we are lucky enough to watch it happen.

*Name changed to maintain confidentiality

Tutoring a struggling child in reading or math is truly an investment and, sometimes, one with slow returns.

Tutor Training in October:

SbR Tutor Training

Wednesday, October 23, 3:00 – 5:30 pm
2633 Telegraph Ave, #412, Oakland 94612

YES, I CAN help a struggling child reach their God-given potential.

 I want to attend an upcoming tutor orientation session to see if tutoring is right for me!

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