Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf delivers remarks for the 2021 Hope for Children Now LIVE gala “Bridges of Hope.”

Special guest Rita Moreno shared her inspirational story and asked: “Isn’t teaching children to read a basic human service? It is up to us who care to look out for them in any way we can.”

The gift of literacy is so important to a child. Children who cannot read in the 3rd grade will probably not graduate from high school. Research demonstrates that children become readers when they have been supported in their own efforts to learn to read, are able to enjoy age-appropriate books, and are encouraged by positive role models. Let’s see how the Succeeding by Reading program was able to work with children through one-on-one online tutoring.

When schools closed last March, 1,800 2nd-grade students in Oakland were significantly behind in reading and math. Despite the efforts of our wonderful teachers, principals, and administrators, that gap has only widened. Let’s see how Children Rising was able to transform their one-on-one Path2Math tutoring program to reach children with the MOST NEED in their homes, and help them get back on track.