It’s NOT JUST About Getting Better Grades – Part 2: Empowering Children!
By Jim Wambach
December 22, 2018 | Read More
Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director Part 1: Volunteer Tutor: It’s NOT JUST About Getting Better Grades! Empowerment: “The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights” – Oxford Dictionary Dear Friends, Earlier this week, I was speaking to a woman who is passionate about helping […]
Look At What We Accomplished Together In 2018!
By Children Rising
December 21, 2018 | Read More
As 2018 comes to a close, I reflect upon what an amazing year it has been here at Children Rising . Through your steadfast partnership, generosity and prayers, we have been able to go deeper and broader as we come alongside children and youth at the crossroad of promise and risk. Here are just a […]
CareerBridge Gave Me a Dream Summer Internship in Oakland
By Eric Steckel
December 18, 2018 | Read More
“Summer internships give you a view of the world, and life, and I wouldn’t have had a chance to do this without CareerBridge.” Alicia has big dreams for her future, as well as a lot of drive and initiative. However, opportunities to gain valuable summer internship opportunities seemed totally out of reach… until she heard […]
A Volunteer’s Words – “Learning and growing can’t happen with stomachs grumbling…”
By Children Rising
December 15, 2018 | Read More
by Amy Hood, Health4Kids volunteer This winter, we are excited to share the words of Amy Hood, a volunteer working with our Health4Kids program. “This is my second school year volunteering with Health4Kids. A few years ago, Children Rising started working in partnership with Project Peace, an organization where I serve on the board and […]
A One-to-One Relationship is Helping Dominic Get Back to Grade Level
By Eric Steckel
December 7, 2018 | Read More
“When they feel safe, and that you’re on their side, they’ll take a risk in learning.” – Leslie Carey, Path2Math Tutor Dominic is an enthusiastic, confident second-grader at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Oakland. However, like so many of his classmates, Dominic is substantially below grade level in math and reading. “This has […]
#GivingTuesday Is Just Around the Corner, Oakland!
By Chelsea Boniak
November 23, 2018 | Read More
“Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment.” — Jean de La Bruyère, French writer Dear Friends, #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 […]
The Power of Gratitude
By Jim Wambach
November 22, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
“Bunches of Sweetness” – Holiday Peppermint Bark on sale NOW!
By Children Rising
November 21, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
How many struggling readers have we helped so far?
By Chelsea Boniak
November 16, 2018 | Read More
Our 2018 Matching Fund Campaign Is At the Midway Point As we embarked on our 4th Matching Fund Campaign, we set a high bar. 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, […]
There Is an Education Crisis Affecting Our City’s Most Vulnerable Children
By Jim Wambach
October 30, 2018 | Read More
Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director There is an education crisis affecting our city’s most vulnerable children. Let’s all say “YES!” … so more children can escape the vicious cycle of poverty and violence. Dear Community, Is the plight of urban public schools one of the civil rights issues of our generation? I strongly believe […]
Our Community Enablement Engine Offers More Ways to Give
By Eric Steckel
October 17, 2018 | Read More
I remember my days as a recent college graduate. It was the middle of an economic recession, and I struggled to find a job. I had plenty of time on my hands, and what I really wanted to do was travel. Unfortunately, I had no money! So much for those travel plans! Eventually, I was […]
“CareerBridge Helped Me Go To College”
By Eric Steckel
September 21, 2018 | Read More
by Nathan Talavera, CareerBridge Student I am a recent graduate of the Ralph J. Bunche Academy in Oakland. This fall, I am enrolling in City College of Berkeley. But it’s not always been an easy path. I am the eldest of 5 kids in my family, and I’m responsible for being a role model. Ever […]
Path2Math Tutoring Program Set To Launch
By Eric Steckel
September 20, 2018 | Read More
Volunteer Math Tutor Program a Partnership With Oakland Unified School District As we settle into a new school year, Children Rising staff are feverishly putting the final touches to our program preparations and are eager to begin working with wonderful new students. This year, there is added excitement in the air as we launch our […]
A Struggling Young Child Learned to Read
By Chelsea Boniak
September 19, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
The World of Math is Open to Emiliano
By Chelsea Boniak
September 13, 2018 | Read More
One-to-one math tutor helps a struggling student catch up to his fellow students Like many of the students in our Path2Math and Succeeding by Reading intervention programs, Emiliano lacked confidence as he entered his 5th grade math class. “They think they can’t do the work. In their mind they’re not as smart as the other […]
Volunteer Tutor: It’s NOT JUST About Getting Better Grades!
By Jim Wambach
September 11, 2018 | Read More
Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” ~Dalai Lama Dear Children Rising Community, As you can see from the personal stories we have shared throughout the year, our programs are not just about helping children develop key reading, math and […]
Looking for tutors for 2018-2019!
By Sophia Wambach
August 13, 2018 | Read More
Today was the first day of school for Oakland students! The next few weeks will be full of reunions with old friends, exciting new relationships, and journeys into worlds of ideas and knowledge. Unfortunately, for the thousands of children who struggle with reading or basic math, the first day of school is also the start […]
Take the #ChampionsForChildren Challenge Today!
By Eric Steckel
August 12, 2018 | Read More
Are you ready to take the #ChampionsForChildren Challenge? As Oakland children and youth get ready to go back to school, we are excited to announce the #ChampionsForChildren Challenge. #ChampionsForChildren is much more than just a fundraising campaign. It is a peer-to-peer campaign that relies on you, our champions, to spread the word to your network. […]
Thank you, Volunteers!
By Sophia Wambach
August 2, 2018 | Read More
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.
This Summer, We’re Calling On All #ChampionsForChildren
By Eric Steckel
July 28, 2018 | Read More
This Summer has absolutely blown by! It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the progress our young readers and math scholars made last year. Now, with the help of our ‘elves,’ we are preparing for another great school year, which begins in just a few short weeks. Throughout the summer, we have been diligently […]
Reading Tutor Training
By Sophia Wambach
July 10, 2018 | Read More
Saturday, September 8, 9:00 – 11:30am
Volunteer Tutors: Changing the Trajectory of Thousands of Lives – and a Community – At the Crossroads
By Jim Wambach
July 10, 2018 | Read More
Perspectives article by Jim Wambach, Executive Director This year’s Hope for Children Now Gala was a wonderful celebration. It was an opportunity to unite our Children Rising community, applaud the progress made by our children and youth, acknowledge the dedication of our volunteer tutors and mentors, and remind each other of the journey ahead. Two […]
Hope for Children NOW Gala – What a Night!
By Chelsea Boniak
July 7, 2018 | Read More
Children Rising’s annual Hope for Children Now Benefit Gala took place on June 9, 2018 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. CareerBridge’s scholarship winners took center stage to be recognized for their exceptional performance in school and internships. Amber Johnson, Albert Mitchell, Garyon’tae Smith, and Haifa Algabri each received a $5,000 Eddie College Scholarship. […]
Our Children at the Crossroads: Path2Math
By Jim Wambach
June 5, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
Growing into the Promise
By Children Rising
June 5, 2018 | Read More
Article written by Pam May (Kids Count) and Jessie Palmatier (Admin) This year has been a time of building up here at Children Rising. Along with adding several new staff members, we are excited to introduce the newest addition to the Children Rising family of programs: Kids Count! This learner-centered math tutoring program seeks to […]
Perspectives: Our Children at the Crossroads
By Jim Wambach
April 27, 2018 | Read More
by Jim Wambach, Executive Director I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. – Leonardo da Vinci Dear Community, One volunteer + one child + love. A life filled with risk and despair can be transformed to a life […]
A Career Path is Found
By Chelsea Boniak
April 25, 2018 | Read More
In the October 2017 newsletter, we featured a story about a CareerBridge intern named Karyn Lee. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Karyn’s mother, Marjorie, who shared her perspective on Karyn’s story. Before she connected with CareerBridge, Karyn was losing steam. Marjorie had watched her daughter struggle in school after Karyn’s father passed […]
Reading at the Crossroads
By Children Rising
April 3, 2018 | Read More
by Eric Steckel, Communications Manager Imagine, for a moment, the smiling young boy in the picture. He’s about to graduate third grade with his entire life before him, full of unlimited possibilities. Perhaps one day he’ll study to be a doctor or create the Next Big Thing in tech. He holds so much promise and […]
Markham Elementary’s Library Dream Team
By Children Rising
April 2, 2018 | Read More
by Kim Farnham-Flom, Director of Library Services Three years ago, Janice McClure was approaching retirement from her professional position. At that time, she read an article in the Children Rising newsletter about our contribution in opening and sustaining libraries in Oakland public schools*. Intrigued, she set about using some of her newfound time as a […]
Perspectives
By Children Rising
March 1, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
Meet Gleoria
By Sophia Wambach
March 1, 2018 | Read More
Gleoria Bradley-Sapp is a volunteer-turned-employee who joined us late last year as our newest reading clinic coordinator. We were in need and Gleoria stepped into the fray when we were at our wit’s end! Gleoria retired from the University of California in July 2009 where she had worked in the public service, education, and research […]
At the Crossroads of “Promise” and “Risk”
By Children Rising
February 28, 2018 | Read More
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 […]
A Time to Plant
By Sophia Wambach
January 29, 2018 | Read More
As I’m sure you’ve noticed from our previous newsletters, we’ve been adding to our staff. What’s amazing is that God has sent every one of these wonderful and talented people our way in response to our expressed needs. Here are a few more new faces! Pam P. May is our Program Coordinator with Children Rising’s […]
A Time to Build Up
By Children Rising
January 27, 2018 | Read More
by Jim Wambach, Executive Director Children Rising is in the midst of an exciting season as 2018 begins. Building on the program benefits realized by the many “at-promise” children in our community during the last several school years, we are aggressively investing in our ability to both enhance these programs and to make it possible […]
6 CareerBridge Students Celebrate Graduation From Ralph J. Bunche Academy
By Eric Steckel
January 22, 2018 | Read More
As in life, there is no single path to a fulfilling career. Pursuing a career path that aligns your values and your passions is a very good place to start. As our CareerBridge program enters its fourth year at the Ralph J. Bunche Academy in West Oakland, we have witnessed many Oakland youth start down […]
Happy Holidays!
By Children Rising
January 4, 2018 | Read More
Dear Children Rising Community, Together we are making a difference for so many “at-promise” children! In the 5 short months since I joined this wonderful community, I find myself grateful each day to be able to join all of you in this wonderful mission. All of us at Children Rising wish each of you […]
Perspectives
By Children Rising
December 6, 2017 | Read More
“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), […]
Meet Dave Sundman!
By Children Rising
December 6, 2017 | Read More
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 […]
Call and Response
By Children Rising
December 6, 2017 | Read More
Article by Dave Sundman, CareerBridge Program Manager 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 […]
Welcome, Brenda Paulin!
By Chelsea Boniak
October 27, 2017 | Read More
Meet Brenda, our newest Succeeding by Reading Clinic Coordinator. She is a retired federal service Human Resources Director. During her over 40 years of service, she managed and directed a large staff of professionals who performed the full range of human resources duties, including training and development. Her involvement with Children Rising began at least […]
Make Hard Things Easy
By Chelsea Boniak
October 27, 2017 | Read More
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, […]
From West Oakland to Cal: One Student’s Journey
By Chelsea Boniak
October 27, 2017 | Read More
by Eric Steckel, CareerBridge mentor I met Quaylin Wesley – or Quay as his friends call him – in the spring of 2016. He had recently completed his junior year at McClymonds High School (known colloquially as “Mack”) in West Oakland and was about to begin a summer internship at tech giant Intel, one that Children Rising’s CareerBridge […]
October Announcements
By Sophia Wambach
October 2, 2017 | Read More
Reading clinics have just started, but it’s not at all too late to join. There are many struggling readers in need of tutors. We are always recruiting tutors, even during the school year. Email volunteer@children-rising.org to sign up for a training session. And bring a friend! Saturday, October 7, 9:00 – 11:30 am Tuesday, October 17, 3:00 […]
Perspectives…
By Children Rising
October 2, 2017 | Read More
For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other. – Millard Fuller Dear Children Rising Community, Children Rising’s ability to serve is made possible through a wonderful and diverse community of love and care. Every day we see examples of how this community is […]
Student Spotlight: Karyn Lee
By Sophia Wambach
October 2, 2017 | Read More
In September, our CareerBridge directors Margena Wade-Green and Michelle Hutcherson received a wonderful email from a CareerBridge student. Subject: Thank You Dear Ms. Margena and Ms. Michelle, I never got the chance to formally thank you for giving me an opportunity to intern at Caltrans through your program. I learned so much and it was […]
Times of Refreshing
By Sophia Wambach
October 2, 2017 | Read More
On a bright Wednesday morning in September, close to fifty reading tutors filled our Children Rising office almost to bursting. The event? Our yearly Returning Tutor Refresher Training. Some attendees were returning tutors who joined us just last year or who are coming back after a hiatus. Others were long-time tutors who have faithfully come […]
Meet Our Summer 2017 Career Bridge Interns
By Chelsea Boniak
September 11, 2017 | Read More
This July and August we had the privilege to work with some amazing students in our CareerBridge students. We are proud of each of them for working hard, learning new skills and taking advice from their mentors and employers. Two of our interns published newsletters profiling some of their CareerBridge peers. Check out the newsletters […]
Upcoming Tutor Trainings
By Children Rising
August 28, 2017 | Read More
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You can vote in elections once a year but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. -Unknown Our Succeeding by Reading Clinics will start up in a month! Email volunteer@children-rising.org to sign up for a training session. Trainings […]
How Did We Do in 2016-2017?
By Children Rising
August 28, 2017 | Read More
CareerBridge: Hard at Work In the spring CareerBridge trained 45 students from Ralph Bunche Academy and McClymonds High School in college and career readiness through our Business Essentials Workshops. Six students were partnered with wonderful volunteer mentors. In the summer, we placed 17 students, including those with mentors, at BART, Brain Balance, Caltrans, Martin Luther […]
Perspectives: What We Do in the Present
By Children Rising
August 28, 2017 | Read More
“The future depends on what we do in the present.” – Mahatma Gandhi – As another school year begins, the above quote very much resonated with me. There are few areas of the future we can all individually impact as much as when we help our wonderful children to have a good start in life. […]
Perspectives: Build on the Positive, Build on the Love
By Children Rising
July 28, 2017 | Read More
Dear Children Rising Community, I am excited to become a part of this wonderful community. I’m also humbled to be in a position to build upon what you’ve accomplished over 16 years of supporting the children in the East Bay. Children Rising’s service in the East Bay is made possible through good relationships with donors, […]
Ode to Children Rising Volunteers
By Children Rising
July 28, 2017 | Read More
How do we appreciate thee? Let us count the ways: Thank you for taking part in Children Rising’s mission of supporting at-promise children Thank you for serving behind the scenes by stuffing envelopes and moving furniture Thank you for the expertise and experience you impart to your high school mentee Thank you for gently reining […]
Welcome Jim Wambach, Executive Director!
By Chelsea Boniak
July 9, 2017 | Read More
Children Rising is delighted to announce the selection of James Wambach as our new Executive Director. He is married to Sophia and together, they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Jim is passionate about serving youth in the East Bay community in the hopes of dramatically and positively affecting the trajectory of their lives. Six years […]
President’s Corner: Transition Time
By Children Rising
July 5, 2017 | Read More
As many of you know, I am retiring from serving as Children Rising’s president as of June 30, 2017. It’s time for fresh vision, energetic enthusiasm, and discerning wisdom for Children Rising to move into the next level of mission impact. During this time of transition, one of our founding principles comes to mind: “Children […]
2017 Benefit Gala Highlights
By Children Rising
July 5, 2017 | Read More
Children Rising’s annual Hope for Children Now Benefit Gala took place on June 3, 2017 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. The talented Westlake Middle School Jazz Ensemble (far left photo) provided great music as 300-some guests arrived. During the program, we were honored to meet newly-selected OUSD Superintendent Dr. […]
Win a pair of Warriors Tickets!
By Children Rising
May 30, 2017 | Read More
You can win one of our amazing raffle prizes whether you attend the gala or not! Unless you plan to purchase raffle tickets at the gala, please CALL IN (510-836-5100) your raffle order by Thursday, June 1, 4:45 pm. Raffle ticket prices are $10 for 1 ticket $25 for 3 tickets $50 for 7 tickets. Raffle tickets will […]
President’s Corner: Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell, A Homegrown Superintendent
By Children Rising
May 30, 2017 | Read More
Congratulations and welcome to Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell, our newly selected Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) superintendent! Here is an excerpt from the OUSD press release: Born and raised in East Oakland and a third generation Oaklander, Johnson-Trammell is a fierce advocate for Oakland public schools, having attended Montclair Elementary and Montera Middle School. She holds […]
President’s Corner: Like Christmas Vacation!
By Children Rising
May 1, 2017 | Read More
Over the past eleven years Children Rising has channeled thousands of Oakland/East Bay public school students into Mission Springs Outdoor Education (MSOE) camp in the Santa Cruz mountains. Our maiden voyage was February 21-23, 2006 when some 30 students from Burckhalter Elementary headed for Mission Springs. I’ll never forget the fifth-grade girl who upon arrival […]
Gala
By Sophia Wambach
March 31, 2017 | Read More
Children Rising’s Annual Hope for Children Now Benefit Gala Register Here! Saturday, June 3, 2017 Scottish Rite Grand Ballroom Lake Merritt, Oakland For more information, call the office at 510.836.5100, or email chelsea@children-rising.org. Register Here! Back to BLOG posts
Science-Hopping
By Sophia Wambach
March 31, 2017 | Read More
Once every month, every student at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary (MLK) gets a class visit to the STEAM-Coding Lab, which is led by Margena Wade-Green and Michelle Hutcherson, our Director and Assistant Director of Science Horizons. The STEAM-Coding lab allows students to work with hands-on science activities to augment what they’ve learned in their […]
President’s Corner: Following Students Forward
By Children Rising
March 31, 2017 | Read More
Looking back on 16 years of outreach to East Bay schools, I find it mind-boggling to think that we’ve had the honor of knowing and supporting thousands of students. Where most of them are today, I wish I knew. In most cases a child comes into one of our programs for a year or two […]
President’s Corner: Tommy the Storyteller
By Children Rising
February 2, 2017 | Read More
On Tuesdays, I volunteer at the Excel Reading Clinic at Prescott Elementary. This year, one of the boys I tutor is Tommy, a third-grader. When Tommy walks into the room he flashes me a warm smile and then we do the secret handshake. After taking his seat beside me, we work on sight words then […]
Newsletter Assembly Volunteer
By Sophia Wambach
February 2, 2017 | Read More
Children Rising is looking for volunteers to help us assemble the hardcopy newsletters that we send out every month. We usually get together the morning of the last Friday of every month for a day of chatting, snacks and stuffing envelopes. It’s low-key and chock full of great conversation. If you’re interested in volunteering, […]
Keep It Humming
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
Health4Kids has been humming along, now in its twelfth year in partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank. This year, we’re serving close to 4,000 people, distributing 2,600 bags of nutritious food to families in Alameda County every month of the school year. Our wonderful volunteers fill and process these bags at the Food […]
Tutor Training – Feb. 7
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
You are invited to learn more about becoming a reading tutor at our upcoming Tutor Training! When: Tuesday, February 7 3:00 – 5:30 pm Where: All trainings held at our office: 2633 Telegraph Ave, #412 Oakland, CA 94612. Training materials and yummy snacks will be provided. Sign up with Rebecca at rebecca@children-rising.org or call our office […]
President’s Corner: Shalom Oakland
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
As we enter a tumultuous new year, shalom (a Hebrew word encompassing peace, prosperity, health, wholeness) is a renewed yearning of my hopes and prayers. Back in the early 1980s, Jeremiah 29:7 became embedded in my spirit: “Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you, and pray to the LORD on its […]
Want to be a part of something positive?
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
Volunteer with Children Rising. By sharing just a few hours of your time and talent each week, you can help a struggling student reach their potential. How can one person make a difference? Personal relationships are the secret to our success. Because of that, one person can always make a difference in the life of a struggling […]
La Escuelita at Missions Springs
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
Near the end of 2016, students from La Escuelita Elementary experienced outdoor education at Mission Springs in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This was La Escuelita’s first time and how it came about was rather providential. A young eighth-grade teacher from La Escuelita named Ali McKenna reached out to Children Rising president Randy Roth, reminding him […]
Save the Date: June 3
By Children Rising
February 1, 2017 | Read More
Our 16th Annual Hope For Children Benefit Gala is set for Saturday, June 3, 2017. This year, we will once again be holding the gala at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center on Lake Merritt. Please mark June 3 on your calendars! Stay tuned for details. Back to BLOG posts
Happy 2017!
By Children Rising
December 26, 2016 | Read More
May God fill you with his love, joy and peace throughout the New Year! Children Rising staff from left to right: (front row) Gwen Stephens, Pearl Wang, Randy Roth, Caroline Piraino, Michelle Hutcherson, (back row) Rebecca Buckley, Charlotte Martinez, Margena Wade-Green, Jan Zovickian, Chelsea Boniak, Ashley Verinsky, Kim Flom. Not pictured: Deborah Davis. Back […]
Literacy Tutor Training
By Children Rising
December 26, 2016 | Read More
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 3:00 – 5:30 pm Training materials and yummy snacks will be provided. All trainings held at our office: 2633 Telegraph Ave, #412 Oakland, CA 94612. Sign up with Rebecca at rebecca@children-rising.org Back to BLOG posts
Project Peace: Day of Service
By Children Rising
December 26, 2016 | Read More
Over the past nine years, Project Peace has been a catalyst for change at local schools, homeless shelters, mentoring programs, and other social service providers. They began in 2007 partnering with one church and engaging 100 volunteers to serve 300 hours. Last year Project Peace partnered with 20 churches, engaged over 1,300 volunteers, and served […]
President’s Corner: Prayer for Christmas Presence
By Children Rising
December 9, 2016 | Read More
O God of peace and love, Companion in solitude, Protector in exile – Show us the way to stand against injustice, to protect and nurture life. Help us to embrace simplicity, to care tenderly for others. Teach us to conserve and preserve the natural gifts of this world. Help us to take time to be […]
President’s Corner: Counting Your Blessings
By Children Rising
December 9, 2016 | Read More
While it’s true that there is a great deal of suffering, injustice and conflict in our world — faraway and close to home — we still have so much to be grateful for. As we gathered with family and friends on Thanksgiving, we paused before feasting to count our blessings. Children Rising is profoundly grateful for… […]
Book Review: Literally Unbelievable by Bronwyn Harris
By Children Rising
December 9, 2016 | Read More
Literally Unbelievable: Stories from an East Oakland Classroom, written by former teacher Bronwyn Harris, throws a laser-sharp spotlight on Oakland’s public education crisis. Harris’ visceral, passionate expose is based on her firsthand experience as a teacher in Oakland. Literally Unbelievable is not about cursing the darkness, but about lighting more candles of hope to shine […]
Inspiring Children to Make Healthier Choices
By Children Rising
December 9, 2016 | Read More
On entering the Lafayette Elementary auditorium on this particular day, you would have walked in on a spellbound audience of third- thru fifth-graders. The focus of their attention was a diverse cast of four actors performing in a health-related presentation called “The Best Me”. In the skit, each of the four “elementary school students” struggles with […]
President’s Corner: The Literacy Crisis
By Children Rising
November 10, 2016 | Read More
Early childhood literacy is a national issue that will directly impact the future vitality and economic well-being of our communities and our country as a whole. Fourth graders shown to be reading “below basic” are four times more likely to drop out of high school – hindering their chances to live a healthy, productive life. […]
Change A Child’s Life (and Your Own)
By Children Rising
November 2, 2016 | Read More
After teaching students for over 30 years, Vivian received a most unexpected gift. “A dear friend and I were walking our favorite trail in Lafayette, out in the fresh air and experiencing God’s nature,” she explains. “Kim had been tutoring students, and asked me to join her. She just knew how much being with children […]
Thank you to…
By Children Rising
November 2, 2016 | Read More
… everyone who made our WIZdom of God production a success! To First Covenant Church for allowing us to use your space and equipment. To Gwen and Paul Stephens, and all the cast members for making the musical a labor of love. To Ms. Nzuri and the Nzuri Soul Band for your terrific musical accompaniment. […]
We’re Off to See The WIZdom of God!
By Children Rising
October 5, 2016 | Read More
On Saturday, October 15, 2016, Children Rising is proud to present a one-time only production of The WIZdom of God. Inspired by both The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz, The WIZdom of God follows Dorothy and her little dog Total Mess on their adventure to the Crystal City to meet the Voice of God. […]
The WIZdom of God
By Children Rising
October 5, 2016 | Read More
Meet the Scarecrow, Tin Foil, Dorothy, the Lioness, and Total Mess Saturday, October 15, 2016 First Covenant Church 4000 Redwood Rd, Oakland Doors open at 3:15 pm. Show starts at 4:00 pm. Tickets on sale now! $25 at the door $20 General Admission pre-sale $15 pre-sale for Seniors, $20 at the door $10 Children 3-10 […]
President’s Corner: Point of Viewing
By Children Rising
October 5, 2016 | Read More
Randy Roth Stand three people side by side to watch an event, get them alone afterward and ask what they saw and it’s likely you will hear three different accounts. Why? Because one’s point of view depends on one’s point of viewing. Not long after Children Rising launched in 2001, I was introduced to a […]
Volunteer Voices: Walt Crockett
By Children Rising
October 5, 2016 | Read More
Walt Crockett CareerBridge mentor Why do I volunteer? The youth. Oakland has a lot of needy youth. It’s paramount to help them out. The kids that I’ve seen come through [CareerBridge], in the short amount of time that I’ve known, have really grown. And I’d like to see more kids with that opportunity to come […]
Literacy Tutors Cultivate Learning
By Children Rising
August 31, 2016 | Read More
You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind. — from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood What a joy to sow seeds of learning, and to see students blossom into new readers! Thanks to the dedicated service of 130 literacy tutors in the 2015-2016 school year, we provided individual reading instruction for 295 students. Of those […]
Unsung Heroes
By Children Rising
August 31, 2016 | Read More
President’s Corner: A Little Goes A Long Way
By Children Rising
August 31, 2016 | Read More
The title of Max Lucado’s book Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference could be Children Rising’s theme song as we launch into our sixteenth school year. We are in search of farsighted people committed to invest in the next generation. YOU can make a difference by… Helping a child become a […]
Thank you to our 2016 volunteers!
By Children Rising
August 3, 2016 | Read More
For a downloadable pdf, click here.
CareerBridge Student Bios by Mateen Rahimi
By Children Rising
August 2, 2016 | Read More
(Taken from the CareerBridge summer newsletter edited by CareerBridge intern Mateen Rahimi.)Shavon is an eighteen-year-old who loves doing her hair, reading, babysitting, and working. She graduated from Ralph Bunche High School this year and will be attending Laney Community College in Oakland in the fall. In the future she plans on attending a four-year university […]
What’s Cooking in CareerBridge?
By Children Rising
August 2, 2016 | Read More
This year, in addition to providing mentors and internships for high school students, CareerBridge decided to take on another project: the Ralph Bunche Culinary Program. Under the tutelage of a local restaurant owner and the guidance of CareerBridge directors Margena Wade-Green and Michelle Hutcherson, participating Ralph Bunche students have been learning how to run a […]
Celebrating Children Rising’s Fifteenth!
By Children Rising
June 23, 2016 | Read More
Thank you to every one of our supporters, volunteers, donors, table sponsors, speakers, prayer warriors, and guests for making our 15th Anniversary Gala a success! It was a beautiful, inspiring evening and we surpassed our fundraising goal of $100,000! In particular, we’d like to salute marvelous emcee Donna Somerville for conducting our event smoothly despite […]
Celebrating on Camera
By Children Rising
June 23, 2016 | Read More
by Carolyn Piraino, Excel Reading Clinic coordinator Excitement was already in the air when local news reporter Allen Martin and his cameraman arrived at Laurel Elementary to film our Excel Reading Clinic closing ceremony on Wednesday, May 25. The reason? To get footage of our Succeeding by Reading program in action for their late June […]
Hope For Children Now Raffle Tickets
By Children Rising
May 25, 2016 | Read More
Support Children Rising and get a chance to win a dream vacation! (Drawing will be held at the June 4 Gala. Need not be present to win.) Grand Prize: 3-night stay at all-inclusive resort in Cabos San Lucas plus a $500 Alaskan Airlines gift card. Runner Up Prizes: Pebble Beach Vacation Home3-night stay for up […]
Future Scientists go to BLAZES
By Children Rising
May 25, 2016 | Read More
Ruby Bridges Elementary fifth-graders recently journeyed to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to conduct science experiments in conjunction with the lab’s Berkeley Lab Adventure Zone in Elementary Science (BLAZES) program. Each student, wearing a white lab coat, participated in hands-on activities titled Finding Elements on the Periodic Table, What Conducts Electricity and When Do Substances Change […]
President’s Corner: Kerry Gough
By Children Rising
May 25, 2016 | Read More
I’m happy to announce that Kerry Gough has joined Children Rising’s Board of Directors. A retired civil rights attorney, Kerry’s interest in civil rights began when, as a young soldier, he blew the whistle on the Army’s collaboration with racist Monterey Peninsula landlords who refused to rent to African American armed forces personnel. That experience […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Dennis Burke
By Children Rising
April 29, 2016 | Read More
A remarkable thing called connection happens when you find a way to combine your talents with volunteering! This is what Dennis Burke discovered when he began volunteering through Children Rising. After he retired from the world of business and finance, Dennis wanted to find a way to contribute to his community. So in 2012 Dennis […]
Hope for Children Now Benefit Gala
By Children Rising
April 29, 2016 | Read More
CLICK HERE TO RSVP *************************** Can’t attend the Gala but want to make a difference? Contribute to our $100,000 fundraising goal by clicking here.
President’s Corner: The Genesis of Children Rising
By Children Rising
April 29, 2016 | Read More
In 1988 the Roth family arrived in Oakland where I was called to serve as pastor of First Covenant Church, and soon we started a weekly gathering to pray for the Shalom of Oakland. A growing number of people from several congregations were coming together to pray for the peace, prosperity, health and wholeness of […]
Calling All Mentors
By Children Rising
April 4, 2016 | Read More
Lanny and Jared, mentor and mentee What was it like for you to transition from high school to young adulthood? Things that may seem easy or straightforward to you now (researching colleges, applying for jobs, buying a car, choosing a major, etc…) are new and often daunting ventures for high school students. We invite you […]
President’s Appeal
By Children Rising
April 4, 2016 | Read More
Will you be an Ambassador of Hope? Children Rising relies on contributions from supporters like YOU so we can offer one-on-one tutoring support to struggling second-grade readers; introduce inner city kids to the world of Science Technology Engineering and Math; provide low-income high schoolers with a workplace internship under the guidance of a personal mentor; […]
