2022 Hope for Children Now – Bridges of Hope for All!
By Eric Steckel
May 19, 2022
After being unable to meet in person for the past three years, Hope for Children Now was a wonderful opportunity to gather together with friends.
We like to say that Hope for Children Now is more than just a fundraiser. After being unable to meet in person for the past three years, this year’s gala felt more like a celebration than ever before. It was wonderful to gather with friends, hear from the families and tutors of children we serve, honor our dedicated educators, and gain inspiration from the words of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. We accomplished all of that and more. We planted seeds of hope in the hearts and minds of so many in our community.
Thank you for making the Bridges of Hope for All campaign a success. There were so many highlights to the evening.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has a genie lamp.
You read that right. Mayor Schaaf has a “genie lamp” prominently displayed in her office. As she related the story to our guests, when she was first elected to office, she received an ornamental “genie lamp” from an unidentified donor. The gift reminded her of childhood visits to Children’s Fairyland.
Mayor Libby Schaaf’s wish for Oakland: “That every child receive a quality public education.”
What is even more remarkable is what she said next. When she thinks of making a magical wish from her genie lamp, her mind is clear: “I wish for every child to receive a quality public education.”
We couldn’t agree more!
“Team Nyjah” is a formidable bunch!
Nyjah has worked hard in math and reading this year, and was delighted to meet Mayor Libby.
Nyjah* is one of the eager young students in Path2Math. When we first met Nyjah back in September, he was struggling with basic math skills and was behind grade level. Nyjah enrolled in Path2Math, and “Team Nyjah”—Tabetha, his mother, Mr. Robert, his tutor, and Ms. Roma, one of his teachers—worked together to help him back to grade level in math.
Love is the key to our work.
Love is what motivates our tutors to nurture children struggling in reading and math week after week, and frequently year after year. And it inspires students like Talayah* to love reading!
Thank you to the entire Children Rising family. Your support inspires smiles from so many children and youth 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!
* Names changed to protect the identity of the students