Oakland Promise

Last week, Oakland Promise had the privilege of participating in the Oakland Postsecondary Education & Workforce Collaborative’s Voices from the Transition Summit, a youth-centered initiative focused on breaking down barriers to postsecondary education and workforce development. It was inspiring to hear directly from young people about their journeys, challenges, and aspirations—and to see their voices guiding this critical work. Together with Oakland Unified School District, Peralta Community College District, Urban Strategies Council, and with support from the Hellman Foundation, we are committed to strengthening educational pathways, changing systems to support students better, and identifying strategies to build workforce opportunities. This work is about more than collaboration—it’s about action, equity, and ensuring that Oakland’s youth have the tools and opportunities to achieve their dreams. We’re grateful to be part of this movement and excited to continue building an even better Oakland community alongside our partners.

Oakland Promise was honored to participate in this year’s Día de los Muertos celebration in Fruitvale last week. The Unity Council hosted an unforgettable gathering that brought thousands together to honor a tradition that is vibrant and deeply rooted in community, memory, and love. Over the course of the day, nearly 1,200 people visited our Oakland Promise table, creating moments of connection, warmth, and unity that reminded us of the profound strength within our Oakland community. Día de los Muertos is more than a celebration; it’s a call to pause, reflect, and honor those who have come before us. Their enduring spirit, sacrifices, and dreams have paved the way for the future we are building here in Oakland. This day encourages us to remember, but it also invites us to rejoice, to celebrate the shared bonds that transcend generations, and affirm the importance of togetherness, resilience, and community legacy. We are deeply grateful to the Unity Council for including us in this sacred celebration, especially as they reflect on 60 years of community impact, cultural preservation, and service. The same spirit of connection and legacy inspires Oakland Promise’s commitment to Oakland’s youth and families. As we join hands with our partners, community members, and families, we move forward with renewed purpose—honoring the past, investing in the present, and building pathways to a bright, inclusive future. Together, we celebrate the richness of our shared heritage and are building a future that reflects Oakland's values, strength, and beauty.

It was an inspiring day at Fremont High School in Oakland for OUSD → CSU College Day! Oakland Promise was thrilled to be in the community with so many students and families ready to embark on their postsecondary education journeys. Together with CSU, OUSD, and Oakland Children’s Initiative, we helped curate a space full of resources—from application support and transcript analysis to parent workshops and FAFSA assistance—to help Oakland students navigate the college process with confidence. This day was about empowering the next generation with the necessary tools and support. Thank you to everyone who joined, engaged, and showed up for our students' futures! ?? ?? #OaklandPromise #CradleToCareer #OpportunityChangesEverything

Reflecting on an unforgettable evening at the 2024 Oakland Promise Community Briefing! For the first time since COVID-19, we were thrilled to gather in person, bringing together our incredible community to share our journey, our “why,” and our unwavering mission to create brighter futures for all Oaklanders. The event offered a unique opportunity to dive into Oakland Promise's history and celebrate the impact we're making each day as we work toward an ambitious goal—engaging with 50,000 young people by 2030. This purpose fuels our efforts to provide pathways to upward economic mobility and open doors to education and opportunity for the next generation. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the collective support of our community. A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, mentors, donors, sponsors, corporate and community partners, board members, and dedicated staff. Your commitment, whether through time, resources, or advocacy, plays an essential role in shaping our mission and ensuring its reach. To everyone who has ever contributed to Oakland Promise—this journey is yours, and together, we’re building a future where every Oaklander has the chance to thrive. We’re already looking forward to 2025, and we hope to see many new faces and familiar friends. If you couldn’t join us this time, we can’t wait to welcome you next year! Here’s to a promising future together.

Reflecting on an unforgettable evening at the 2024 Oakland Promise Community Briefing! For the first time since COVID-19, we were thrilled to gather in person, bringing together our incredible community to share our journey, our “why,” and our unwavering mission to create brighter futures for all Oaklanders. The event offered a unique opportunity to dive into Oakland Promise's history and celebrate the impact we're making each day as we work toward an ambitious goal—engaging with 50,000 young people by 2030. This purpose fuels our efforts to provide pathways to upward economic mobility and open doors to education and opportunity for the next generation. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the collective support of our community. A heartfelt thank you to our volunteers, mentors, donors, sponsors, corporate and community partners, board members, and dedicated staff. Your commitment, whether through time, resources, or advocacy, plays an essential role in shaping our mission and ensuring its reach. To everyone who has ever contributed to Oakland Promise—this journey is yours, and together, we’re building a future where every Oaklander has the chance to thrive. We’re already looking forward to 2025, and we hope to see many new faces and familiar friends. If you couldn’t join us this time, we can’t wait to welcome you next year! Here’s to a promising future together.

Last week Oakland Promise was invited to table at Pacific Gas and Electric Company Employee Nonprofit Fair to share more about our organization’s mission, our programs and how folks can get involved! It was great to meet new supporters and see some of our other community partners there as well. Special thank you to Stephanie Isaacson and the PG&E team for this opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about Oakland Promise and how to get involved check out our website here: https://lnkd.in/g-UYQhR

CSU College Fair at Fremont High School in Oakland!!!!! If you are a high school student or parent of a high school student in OUSD I hope you have this on your radar and on your calendar. Saturday Nov. 2 is the CSU College Fair. This is a great opportunity to learn about the CSU system. We will have representatives from each campus, there will be presentations on Financial Aid (FAFSA) and Dream Act. There will be support with the application, parent workshops, raffles and more! Join us at my Alma Mater, Fremont High School. See you there!! #CSU #Oakland #Fremont #OaklandPromise #OaklandChildrensInitiative #OUSD #collegeandcareerforall ??Feria Universitaria en la Escuela Preparatoria Fremont en Oakland!! Si eres un estudiante de la preparatoria o padre/madre/tutor de un estudiante de la preparatoria en Oakland espejo que estén al tanto de este evento y este en su calendario. El sabado 2 de noviembre es la Feria Universitaria de las Universidades Estatales de California (CSU). Es una buena oportunidad para aprender sobre el ssistema de CSU. También tendremos representates de todos los campos universitarios del sistema CSU y presetaciones sobre Ayuda Finaciera (FAFSA) y Dream Act. Habra ayuda con la aplicaion, talleres para padres, rifas y más. Acompanenos en mi alma mater la Escuela Preparatoria Fremont. ?Esperamos verlos alli! #CSU #Oakland #Fremont #OaklandPromise #OaklandChildrensInitiative #OUSD #collegeandcareerforall Oakland Unified School District Nidya Baez Carmen Jimenez Edith Quintero Jaliza Collins Oakland Promise Oakland Children's Initiative California State University - East Bay San Francisco State University Kyla Johnson-Trammell Sondra Aguilera Marc Strong Vinh Trinh

We are thrilled to invite you to our in-person 2024 Oakland Promise Community Briefing! Join us for an inspiring evening where we will share our history, the latest updates, insights, and plans that drive Oakland Promise’s mission to uplift Oakland’s youth and families. This experiential event is designed for our community to connect, learn, and engage with the vision that guides our work. We’ll provide food and beverages and a welcoming space for meaningful conversations, networking, and a chance to meet our staff. Date: Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 Time: 5:30 - 7:00 PM Location: Oakland Promise Office, 484 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607 Secure your spot, and don’t miss out on this chance to be a part of Oakland Promise’s next chapter. RSVP today at: https://lnkd.in/gsi5d7x5

Honored to work with so many inspiring people and organizations in our first year, and excited to work with so many more in the future!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY (in-person) – Join us in celebrating Oakland Promise at our annual Community Briefing! Our Community Briefing will be held at our office at 484 9th St, Oakland, CA 94607, with one-hour volunteer shifts available from 4:00PM to 7:30PM. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities including setting up signs and decor, greeting guests, handing out programs, ushering guests, serving food, and hosting activities for our community members! We would love to have your support as we work to advance equity and economic mobility through cradle-to-college and career achievement - one graduating class at a time! Sign up today! https://lnkd.in/g6Y5vtvJ