Blog

7 Benefits of Volunteering

By Sophia Wambach
July 21, 2023

Volunteers uplift the community and themselves!

The benefits of volunteering extend to you, the volunteer. You will get more than you give!

You find time in your busy schedule to tutor children in the community for a reason. Volunteering at a school offers vital support to needy children–just ask the parents of the children we serve! More generally, volunteers uplift the community and support worthwhile causes like educational equity, making a lasting impact.

The benefits extend to you, the volunteer.

Research shows that volunteering offers many benefits, especially for seniors and the recently retired. It is known to improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, teach valuable skills, and help nurture new and existing relationships. ¹

“Volunteering is known to improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, teach valuable skills, and help nurture new and existing relationships.” – Angela Thoreson, L.I.C.S.W.

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!

Knowing you can make a positive impact in a child’s life and instill confidence in their abilities is gratifying and a great benefit of volunteer tutoring.

7 Benefits of Volunteer Tutoring

There are many personal benefits of volunteering. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we’ve found seven benefits of volunteering we think you will agree with.

1. You get more than you give. While it doesn’t seem like much, you’re helping a child who may not have someone to read with them at home. You experience and feel the joy in your student’s positive responses and growth.
2. Share your knowledge. We are incredibly proud of the diverse range of volunteers who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the children they support. They may be tutoring in reading or math, but their wisdom extends beyond letters and numbers, and it feels good to share that with a child.
3. One-on-one attention feels good. Every child loves attention. Reading with a child over time and seeing them progress and become a better reader creates a personal connection that feeds the soul. The attention can bolster the student’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence, and that good feeling extends to you. By experiencing the success and excitement of the child you’re tutoring—even in a virtual world—you feel their energy and their joy spreads.
   

   “Volunteering promotes inclusion for all residents of the community … the door is open to any resident in the Bay Area to affect change and work toward lasting racial equity.”

4. Volunteering promotes inclusion for all residents of the community. By recruiting, training, and supporting caring
   

   Tutoring in a community of family, friends, and new friends fosters feelings of connection and well-being, one of the benefits of volunteering.

   community members to become reading and math tutors, the door is open to any resident in the Bay Area to affect change and work toward lasting racial equity. For seniors and the recently retired, this is especially beneficial as meaningful engagement in the community is known to promote healthy aging. ²

5. Tutoring provides opportunities for personal growth. By becoming a tutor, many people develop an altogether new vocation and an increase in “sense of self.” ³ Research shows that self-growth and well-being most frequently go hand in hand.
6. Observing a measurable difference in a child is gratifying. It allows you to interact with the kids, be there for the “Aha!’ moments, and see firsthand how you are helping them and their families succeed in school … and in life.
7. You can do it in a community with family or friends, which fosters feelings of connection and well-being. If you know someone who could be a fantastic tutor, invite them to join you. We will work with your schedules. We ask for two hours a week, but you can do more! Most importantly, you are giving a little time for the greater good.

Ready to get started? Tutoring resumes in the Fall. Invite a friend and feel the joy of volunteering all over again!

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!

_{1. Thoreson, A. (2021) Mayo Clinic Health System, Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering}

_{2. Greenfield, E A, & Marks, N F. (2007). Continuous participation in voluntary groups as a protective factor for the psychological well-being of adults who develop functional limitations: Evidence from the national survey of families and households. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,62(1), S60–S68. doi:10.1093/geronb/62.1.s60}

_{3. Self-growth, wellbeing and volunteering – Implications for social prescribing: A qualitative study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321522000233?via%3Dihub}

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!

Perspectives – Back to School 2021 Was a Day to Rejoice

By Jim Wambach
August 24, 2021

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

When Oakland Unified School District opened its doors two weeks ago, it felt like a day to rejoice. For some students — many of whom have not been back since the early days of the pandemic — the first day of school was eagerly anticipated. It was a long-overdue chance to see friends and return to a semblance of normalcy. For many others, there was a strong feeling of anxiety and concern. It’s safe to say that most of the children, youth, and families felt a conflicting set of emotions.

We pray for God’s peace and assurance as we enter an uncertain school year. In Jeremiah 29 — a passage of scripture that has been so inspirational to Children Rising — the prophet states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) What a blessed reminder to all of us!

For so many children, the first day of school was a long-overdue chance to see friends and return to a semblance of normalcy. (Photo courtesy OUSD)

Children Rising looks forward to the new school year with similar feelings of hope, promise, and uncertainty. A recent study by the Rand Corp. revealed that remote schooling was associated with fewer instructional opportunities, increased student absenteeism, and potentially poorer student outcomes. And a report by the Kaiser Foundation revealed that 40% of parents of school-age children said their child had fallen behind academically in the pandemic. In short, our children and youth are further behind than ever before.

“In the midst of crisis lies great opportunity.”

Despite the challenges our schools face, there are silver linings. Although the pandemic was a forced interruption to our normal services, Children Rising used this opportunity to rethink and retool our programs. We plan to be back in the schools this year with our traditional in-school as well as our newly-developed online math and reading tutoring clinics for second and third-graders. We believe providing both in-school and online tutoring for two grade levels will have a deeper, more lasting impact on the children.

Thanks to the generosity of the entire community, children and youth have returned to in-school instruction with the resources and support they need to overcome pandemic-related learning loss. (Photo courtesy of OUSD)

Throughout the pandemic, we have been blessed by the exceeding generosity of the Children Rising community. We wish to thank our many caring volunteer tutors, as well as so many others who stepped forward and inquired about tutoring. Because of them, and the financial support of individual donors and foundations, we have the opportunity to serve the many children who missed so much academically during the pandemic.

As the saying goes, “In the midst of crisis lies great opportunity.” In the coming weeks, we will be busy training many new volunteers, sharpening the skills of our returning tutors, and preparing to provide educational enrichment to children who have suffered from learning loss. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer reading and math tutoring programs or ready to resume tutoring, there has never been a better time.

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 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.

“Can I Really Make a Difference?” YES!

By Jim Wambach
September 30, 2019

Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” — Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the United States

Help us to say “Yes” to many more struggling readers and math students.

Another school year begins and many of you are asking yourself that question. You want to help. But you are unsure if you have the necessary experience to nurture and equip a struggling child to rise above the challenges of poverty, violence, and educational inequity that are a part of their daily life.

The short answer is Yes! You absolutely have what it takes. You can indeed make a profound difference in a child’s life. We know the need is great. But we also know it only takes one caring adult to empower a struggling child – to nurture hope, the courage to dream, and the opportunity to thrive. Tutoring is one of the most direct ways YOU can make a real and lasting difference in our community.

“The soul is healed by being with children.” — Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Russian novelist and philosopher

Our tutors return year after year because they experience the magic that occurs when the attention and love they pour into a child leads to breakthroughs in learning, growth in self-confidence, and an improved sense of self-worth. For a child struggling to rise above unfair life circumstances, these breakthrough moments are joyful and they happen all the time!

At Children Rising, we provide you with everything you need to have a successful tutoring experience. We offer our volunteer tutors:

• Tutor training, weekly coaching, and all instructional tools and supplies
• Students, identified by their teachers, who will benefit greatly from tutoring
• A team of tutors so you can serve alongside other volunteers from your community
  

  One on one tutors not only help a child learn reading or math skills. They develop a caring, transformative relationship that proves to a child that they are truly important and matter.

“Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me.” — Fred Rogers, television personality

Please Join Your Neighbors and Make a Difference!

If you want to make a real difference in your community, come ready to pour your personal attention and encouragement into the life of a child. Our kids love to learn and you will help a child experience the joy and fun of reading and math as they gain confidence to become successful, lifelong learners.

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.

A Struggling Young Child Learned to Read

By Chelsea Boniak
September 19, 2018

A Reading Tutor – and a book about octopuses – helped ignite a passion for reading!

Soraida began the school year as a shy child who lacked confidence, struggling to learn and read in English. Soraida’s teachers helped partner her with a Succeeding by Reading tutor. However, after limited success with both English and Spanish communication, Soraida told her reading tutor, Diane, about her first teacher in her home country—a teacher who didn’t speak English or Spanish well. Puzzled, Diane eventually found out that Soraida’s first language was a regional, tribal language and she was learning English not as her second, but third language!

Soraida struggled to learn English, her third language. Her reading tutor, Diane, found a way to break through and learn to read in English.

Soraida was eager to learn to read in English, but Diane struggled to find ways to successfully communicate. After some experimentation, Diane found that Soraida was a tactile learner, and thrived by touching and doing. The two worked together, building their relationship and Soraida’s confidence by completing puzzles, workbooks, and activities where neither one of them had all the answers.

“Who would have thought that our common language would be octopus?”

During one tutoring session, Soraida found a picture of an octopus and lit up, telling Diane she wished they had an octopus book. Inspired, Diane set out on a lengthy search at her local library to find a book about octopuses that the two could read together. A bilingual octopus book in English and Spanish proved to be a turning point for the pair, igniting Soraida’s curiosity and confidence.

A children’s book about octopuses helped to ignite Soaraida’s love of reading… in English.

Soraida began to take ownership over her learning—identifying words she knew, thought she knew, or wanted to learn. Diane was delighted to see Soraida gaining so much confidence. Over the course of the school year, Soraida opened up to Diane about her family, their story, and their struggles. It took almost an entire school year of one-on-one tutoring sessions with Diane for Soraida to come out of her shell.

Thanks to her tutor’s weekly time and attention, Soraida made a breakthrough. Now, she is set up for even greater success this school year and is positioned to catch up to her peers!

YES, I CAN help transform a child’s life. Let’s talk!

 I want to be a tutor or mentor this school year. Tell me more!

 I want help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs.

Thank you, Volunteers!

By Sophia Wambach
August 2, 2018

Before the school year starts up again, we’d like to thank each and every one of our volunteers for the time, energy, and affection they put into volunteering. Please join us in recognizing our 2017-2018 volunteers and community partners:

To download the PDF file, click Volunteer Appreciation 2018.

Our Children at the Crossroads: Path2Math

By Jim Wambach
June 5, 2018

Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

– Nelson Mandela, South African political leader

Dear Children Rising Community,

Thank you for all the help, love, understanding, and academic support that you have provided during this academic year! Because of your extraordinary efforts, almost 1,000 children have more hope for a promising future and a better opportunity to realize their God-given potential.

Math Tutor Jeni Williams and her students

From listening to schools and the community, it has become more evident to us that there is a widespread AND extremely urgent need to help children develop math “literacy” in the second grade and math “fluency” in the fifth grade. In 2017, 2,500 second-graders and 2,900 fifth-graders in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) tested below California standards. Right now, hundreds of second-grade children are 2 or more grade levels behind in their math skills!

Unless these children are able to gain a strong foundation of math skills and math awareness, they will struggle mightily in grades 3 and beyond. They will fall further and further behind as they are asked to incorporate new math skills and critical reasoning abilities. Many will rapidly lose self-confidence and self-esteem and become increasingly at risk of choosing the wrong path – and eventually dropping out of school.

There currently are no other providers of free, in-school math tutoring available to OUSD students. This school year, in response to that need, we decided to deepen and expand our existing math tutoring opportunities into a pilot math-tutoring program at two schools this year. This new program, Path2Math, will be more comprehensive and replicate the best practices of our Succeeding by Reading Program. Path2Math will eventually be available to all 19 schools currently served by our Succeeding by Reading program.

End-of-year celebration at the Laurel Math clinic

As in our Succeeding by Reading program, Path2Math tutors will be specifically trained and coached, and provided the tools necessary to successfully help a child learn to understand AND love math. Please consider becoming a Path2Math volunteer math tutor – it will be great fun and you will make a profound difference in a child’s life if you do!

For the children,

Jim

YES, I CAN help transform a child’s life. Let’s talk!

 I want to be a tutor or mentor this school year. Tell me more!

 I want help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs.

Perspectives

By Children Rising
March 1, 2018

by Jim Wambach, Executive Director

It’s not what is poured into a student, but what is planted. – Linda Conway

He who opens a school door, closes a prison. – Victor Hugo

Dear Community,

Many of you have done so much to help “at-promise” children in the East Bay. Though Children Rising prefers not to label them “at risk”, these children, whether in elementary school or high school, do indeed face severe challenges – challenges that many of us understand, but often are not able to relate to in the same deeply personal and connected fashion that we might reserve for a family member. 

As you have read from Bronwyn Harris’ story of one Oakland child, the children whom Children Rising works with are truly at risk for a life of poverty, violence, prison and/or premature death. Their “at-promise” status is denied them simply because they were born to or live in a neighborhood that is substantially under-resourced and, in many cases, undervalued by our society. This tragedy is occurring EVERY day, and it insidiously drains the hope from thousands of wonderful children right here in our own backyard.

For these children, there are critical and very real crossroads in their young lives. We must act now – and with the outrage and sense of urgency we have for our own children. We must feel that outrage to the point of doing whatever is necessary to make sure children in our community, when faced with such adversity, are given the love, guidance, and support to stay off the path leading to despair and tragedy, and remain on – or rejoin – the path leading to promise and hope.

What can we do to help more children become “at-promise” instead of leaving them “at risk?”

Make it a top priority to let your neighbors and friends know there is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in a child’s life – and how much each passing day matters. We can monetarily and prayerfully support more volunteers – increasing the community’s engagement and commitment to help children realize their potential and follow a path of love and hope – the hope of a rich and fulfilling life and the ability to one day give back to and strengthen their community.

For the children,

Jim

At the Crossroads of “Promise” and “Risk”

By Children Rising
February 28, 2018

by Bronwyn Harris, teacher and author

I taught third grade in the Oakland Unified School District for eight years. I was passionate about my work, and dearly loved the children in my classes. Each one of them had so much promise.

However, I was teaching in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Oakland, a neighborhood that the police called “The Killing Zone.” What I discovered is that nearly every one of those promising students was also very much at risk.

I knew that Jorge was a special kid from the moment I met him. Introspective and intelligent, he was the “adult” in his family from a very young age. His mother was young when he was born and already had a substance abuse problem, something that he tried his best to come to terms with while continuing to love her.

Along with his self-awareness came Jorge’s pleas for help. He asked for help in every way he knew how: directly, with philosophical questions, by acting out, and more. The school just didn’t have any resources for him.

Today, Jorge is in prison. This was totally preventable with the right support.

Jorge was a very intelligent child but, as with many kids at my school, he was drastically behind academically for a variety of reasons. He had so much chaos at home that he wasn’t able to focus on homework or studying, and his internal struggles came with him to school. His parents had their own struggles, and his grandmother was illiterate. He just didn’t have any support. With academic tutoring, counseling, and a community to care about him and miss him when he didn’t show up, Jorge wouldn’t have joined a gang and he wouldn’t now be a felon.

When we volunteer, when we tutor, when we mentor, we support children at the crossroads of “promise” and “risk”, surrounding them with a caring community during critical periods in their lives. In doing so, we enable children like Jorge to reclaim and realize their potential.

Bronwyn Harris is the author of Literally Unbelievable: Stories from an East Oakland Classroom. The stories in her book come from her own experience as a teacher. To learn more about Bronwyn’s book and to read her blog, visit www.bronwynharrisauthor.com.

Perspectives

By Children Rising
December 6, 2017

“Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back.” – Chinese Proverb

Dear Children Rising Community,

As you may know, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is experiencing significant budget challenges – challenges that the school board and administration are working extremely hard to address. If successful (and I believe they will be), they will have taken a substantial step toward establishing a brighter, more promising future, and securing a stronger foundation for public education for the children of Oakland.

However, in order to do so, the administration must slash more than $15 million from the current school year budget, substantially reducing the dollar amount budgeted for each child during this year. Approximately $5.6 million of those cuts directly impact individual school budgets. Every principal will have some very difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks.

Children Rising stands ready to provide additional help to these principals and teachers who are working hard to support the children during this fiscal crisis. We are preparing to expand our capacity to help during this important time, but will need the continued support of our wonderful Children Rising community in order to do so.

Here’s how you can help:

Join our amazing team of volunteer reading and math tutors. Your personal investment of one to two hours almost any day of the week can literally change the trajectory of a child’s life. Children Rising provides the training and ongoing support to ensure your success with each child. Email volunteer@children-rising.org or call us at (510) 836-5100 to learn more.

Support our December Matching Fund Campaign. We are working hard to add to our funds this year so we can respond to the additional needs of the principals and teachers with expanded services. Generous donors who have already pledged $60,000 will match every dollar of your donation. We hope to raise an additional $60,000 by December 31st to reach or exceed our campaign goal of $120,000. Please send a check with the enclosed donation slip or visit www.children-rising.org/donate/ to make a donation.

Use your company’s Employee Matching Gifts Program. Visit our company match page to find out if your company participates: www.children-rising.org/donate/#company-match.

As always, your partnership is essential to Children Rising’s mission of preparing today’s youth for fulfilling, productive living in the 21st century. This year, your support takes on an even greater purpose. Every donation postmarked by December 31, 2017 will not only be tax-deductible, but will be a gift that keeps on giving – yielding returns for generations to come.

For the Children,

Jim

Join us for our first Reading Tutor Training of the new year!

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

3:00 to 5:30 pm

Children Rising Office

To RSVP, contact Succeeding by Reading Director Rebecca Buckley at rebecca@children-rising.org.

Meet Dave Sundman!

By Children Rising
December 6, 2017

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

Call and Response

By Children Rising
December 6, 2017

Article by Dave Sundman, CareerBridge Program Manager

Principal Steele helping a student with Microsoft Excel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make Hard Things Easy

By Chelsea Boniak
October 27, 2017

Dear Children Rising Community,

As our staff, volunteers, and community partners once again team with our school districts to support at-promise children within the East Bay, we believe the more we “can make hard things easy”, the more Children Rising and our partners are able to make a profound difference through our various programs.

First, we do our best to make it easy for school districts to utilize our various programs as they strive to close the achievement gap for students – a critically important objective along the way to improved social justice.

Second, we provide our volunteers with training, tools, and coaching so it is easier for them to have the type of quality interaction with a student that will create a lasting impact and substantially improve the trajectory of that student’s life.

This week as a newly minted Math Tutor, I began a quest to make math easier for four fifth-graders who are struggling at a second grade level of math fluency.  Each, of course, is struggling for different reasons and each are brilliant in other areas, such as science and reading. When asked about their favorite subjects or activities, they positively light up. When asked about how they feel about math, a dark cloud of tiredness and discouragement suddenly hovers over them. All four students are eager to have help with making something that is now hard to them much easier.

That is what we hope to do through all of our programs – generating inspiration, removing roadblocks, and building confidence.  It’s a real gift to be able to spend a couple of hours each week with these special children. If you haven’t tried it yet, take it from me, it will make your day! And… we make it easy for you!

For the Children,

Jim Wambach

Back to BLOG posts