Celebrating Jonathan Becker: Five Years of Strategic Leadership and Heartfelt Dedication
By Eric Steckel | October 8, 2024
Unwavering commitment and visionary leadership helped Children Rising grow stronger, ensuring brighter futures for the children.
Jonathan Becker with his wife Virginia Watkins and their friend Julie Wu. As board chairperson, Jonathan provided strong, compassionate leadership. He leaves the board having moved Children Rising down the path of diversity and sustainability.
A strong board of directors—and strong leadership of the board—is critical to any nonprofit. In July we bade farewell to Children Rising Board Chair Jonathan Becker. Today, we take a moment to celebrate his inspirational service starting in 2019.
Jonathan’s journey with Children Rising began in the most heartfelt way. Worshipping at Piedmont Community Church, he listened to Executive Director Jim Wambach speak about the challenges children face in accessing quality education.
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.
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.
“Sitting there, I was very cognizant that every one of these kids is one of God’s children, and they have a ton of potential. I felt a kind of anger and sadness that kids would not be given all the support they need to be successful. That message really reached me,” Jonathan recalled. Sitting there, he was moved to join the Children Rising board of directors.
Over his five years, Jonathan left a lasting mark on the children we serve, and on the board itself. One of Jonathan’s most inspiring qualities was his commitment to seeing Children Rising through the lens of the people—our staff, volunteers, and of course, the students. He frequently shared his admiration for the team’s dedication, and he was deeply moved by the relationships built between tutors and students. He understood how these connections are at the heart of what we do, helping children not just improve academically, but also build their self-worth.
“A powerful part of the work of Children Rising is not just helping kids improve in reading and math, but also putting another voice inside their head that says, ‘I matter, people care about me, and people want me to succeed.’”
“If we did all of this, and we only helped one child, it would be worthwhile. But of course we didn’t. We served many, many more children.”
Jonathan was deeply committed to ensuring that the makeup of Children Rising reflected the City of Oakland, from the board of directors down. The diversity of voices and backgrounds on the board expanded considerably during his tenure as the chairperson.
“One of my priorities was to help the Children Rising board be more representative of Oakland,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan focused the board strategically to ensure that every resource was used wisely, with the kids at the center.
His strategic thinking and passion for empowering children to thrive enabled Children Rising to grow and overcome challenges, especially during tough times. He always focused on the big picture—how to ensure that every resource was used wisely, with the kids at the center.
Jonathan was also a champion of sustainability, advocating for finding partners and funding sources that truly understand the value of what Children Rising provides for the children.
“I get frustrated by how much money gets spent on things that seem wasteful,” Jonathan shared. “My wildest hope is that we tap into sources of funding that are just the kind of perfect fit…with people who see the value in what we’re doing and are ready to fund.”
His belief in the power of education and his hope for a bright future for Children Rising shone through in everything he did. We will miss Jonathan on the board, but we know his legacy will continue to impact Children Rising for years to come. Thank you, Jonathan, for your dedication, passion, and belief in the potential of every child!
