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#GivingTuesday Is Just Around the Corner, Oakland!

By Chelsea Boniak
November 23, 2018

“Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment.” — Jean de La Bruyère, French writer

Dear Friends,

Your generosity means #GivingTuesday in Oakland will help many more struggling children learn to read and reach grade level in math.

#GivingTuesday is just around the corner… and we need your help!

Entering its seventh year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, it was created in response to the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports giving and philanthropy. It has grown to include events throughout the year and a growing catalog of resources.

Here’s how you can help.

This year, let’s make #GivingTuesday Oakland bigger than ever. Let all your friends and family know that if they want to participate with their Oakland community on #GivingTuesday, Children Rising is near and dear to your heart. Encourage them to make a donation and let them know that their donation will be matched!

Below are a couple of simple examples of how you might want to reach out to let people know about all of this:

Email Template

Dear ______,

As you may know, I am ___________ (a volunteer/a supporter/on the board) of a wonderful organization called Children Rising , which provides critical one-on-one support for struggling students in Oakland and the East Bay. On #GivingTuesday, please consider making a gift to Children Rising in any amount. All donations through the end of November will be matched by some of our generous donors, so your donation will be doubled if received by no later than November 30^th!

https://donate.children-rising.org/campaign/matching-fund-campaign/c204868

Facebook Template

Friends, please consider making a gift to @FaithNetwork on #GivingTuesday. As you may know, I am ___________ (a volunteer/a supporter/on the board) of Children Rising and care deeply about providing critical one-on-one support for struggling students in Oakland and the East Bay. During our Matching Challenge campaign, all donations through the end of November will be matched by generous donors. On #GivingTuesday, please consider making a gift to Children Rising in any amount – that gift will be doubled if received by November 30^th!

https://donate.children-rising.org/campaign/matching-fund-campaign/c204868

For Facebook Pros: In the comments, tag friends and family who might be interested in contributing OR send this via private message on Facebook to make it more personal.

Thank you for sharing our #GivingTuesday Oakland message today, and helping us say “Yes” to struggling children in our community.

For the children,

Chelsea

The Power of Gratitude

By Jim Wambach
November 22, 2018

Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director

“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dear Friends,

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of worshipping with our friends at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit with so many of our faithful volunteers and supporters.

As I listened to Pastor Steve Schibsted’s sermon on gratitude, and Luke’s story of The Ten Lepers, I was especially moved. When just one of the men who was healed came back to give thanks, it reminded me that expressing gratitude does not always come naturally to us. Having a posture of gratitude – not just at Thanksgiving, or before meals, or when something really good happens in life – but living a life of gratitude, is maybe the key to experiencing the abundant life God wants for us.

I want to take a moment to express to you my gratitude on this Thanksgiving. I feel blessed with the opportunity to be part of this great organization. And that gratitude runs so very deeply.

For our children and the community that we serve…

For our wonderful volunteers and their spirit of service…

For our supporters and their spirit of generosity…

For our staff and board, who care so deeply for the children…

Your generosity does not go unnoticed.

I am constantly reminded about the very special spirit of community and love surrounding us every time we welcome a new volunteer or receive a donation. The countless gifts given and the critical work you and others are doing to support Oakland’s most vulnerable children is what makes what we do here at Children Rising so extraordinary.

At Children Rising, our goal is to make sure that no child slips through the cracks. You have made it possible for hundreds of children to receive one-to-one interventional tutoring, for thousands of families to eat on the weekends, and for many, many high school students to have the opportunity for success in life.

Thank you! You have made a real difference in the lives of the kids we serve. For that I am grateful.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.

For the children,

Jim

“Bunches of Sweetness” – Holiday Peppermint Bark on sale NOW!

By Children Rising
November 21, 2018

Satisfy your sweet tooth… or share with someone special.

During this holiday season, Children Rising’s CareerBridge Program is proud to continue our partnership with Ralph J. Bunche Academy High School in West Oakland. We are working together with students from Bunche’s Culinary Arts Program to offer our “Bunches of Sweetness” – Holiday Peppermint Bark, a delicious holiday treat that makes a great gift for your family, friends, and colleagues (or yourself!).

Every purchase helps provide entrepreneurial training and work-based learning opportunities for West Oakland students.

CareerBridge “Bunches of Sweetness” – Holiday Peppermint Bark – On Sale NOW

To place an order, click on the link below:

“Bunches of Sweetness” – Holiday Peppermint Bark

Nothing says “Have a SWEET holiday!” like some homemade  Holiday Peppermint Bark. Get some now, before it’s too late.

Thank you for your support!

How many struggling readers have we helped so far?

By Chelsea Boniak
November 16, 2018

Our 2018 Matching Fund Campaign Is At the Midway Point

As we embarked on our 4th Matching Fund Campaign, we set a high bar.

Bring the joy of learning to many more struggling readers and math students.

Our goal? To say “Yes!” to hundreds of more 2nd grade children struggling with grade-level math and reading.

Here we are at the midway point, and we are grateful, and humbled, by your response. Where do we stand?

So far, we have raised a total of $26,000! Your generous donations, matched by several major donors, have helped us to say “Yes” to 35 students to receive an entire year of individualized math and reading support.

We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped us make it this far.

But we have a ways to go.

Help us say “Yes” to many more struggling readers!

We have donors willing to match up to $50,000 more in donations. That will enable us to say “Yes” to 130 more students! But to do so, it is crucial that our volunteers receive the support and resources they need to succeed.

Any donation between now and November 30th will help us meet our goal. That means a $375 donation today will let us say “Yes” to a struggling 2nd grade student like Dominic, who is already significantly behind in reading and math.

Your gift will help him catch up to his classmates this year, and substantially improve his ability to be successful in school for many years to come

Better yet, if your company participates in employee match, you can triple the impact of your individual gift. Learn more using the company match search tool on our Donate page.

Thank you for whatever you can do to help us tackle the education crisis.

All Matching Fund donations must be received by November 30th.

Thank you for helping a struggling reader like Dominic develop crucial academic skills and personal confidence. That’s how we can overcome the academic crisis.

YES, I CAN help a struggling reader or math student. 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.