About RISE
What We Do
RISE was founded because we firmly believe that children living in the East Palo Alto community deserve the same opportunities as those in neighboring communities.
By building close community and family connections, RISE supports the whole family from a child’s birth with preventative and ongoing programming.
Our Mission
RISE is a not-for-profit organization that works closely with families and educators to provide children in East Palo Alto with a strong academic foundation and the self-confidence necessary to excel in life. Committed to offering ongoing and collaborative support starting from infancy, RISE works to support students’ early success and continue to succeed throughout their education and beyond. It is our desire that students will leave us eager to inspire future generations to make a lasting impact on the community.
Little Blue House Community Hub
RISE manages the Birth to Five LBH Collaborative
Resource hub for the community
Partners utilize space to run programs for families living in EPA
Community Conversations on topics relevant to community needs
0-3 years old
Early Risers Program
Interactive classes with babies and moms (or other caregivers)
Focus on early literacy
Connecting families to community resources
Emphasis on other areas of development including health, nutrition, and social well-being
Kindergarten - 5th grade
RISE Elementary After School Program
After-school tutoring and mentoring
Social-Emotional Learning
Enrichment activities including art, science, cooking, outdoor activities, dance, etc.
Emphasis on self-esteem, self-confidence, life skills, health and nutrition
Collaborative effort involving families and educators
6th grade - 12th grade
RISE Middle & High School Program
Continuation into Middle and High school from our Elementary Program
Strengthen deep familial relationships
One on one homework and academic support
Special interests extracurriculars
Help design and participate in Junior Mentorship for younger RISE students
Giving back to the community
9th grade - 12th grade
Eastside Mentorship Program
High school students from Eastside College Preparatory School
One on one homework and academic support
Emphasis on team building, life skills, and mindfulness
Mentors design lessons and enrichment projects
Forming lasting bonds between mentors and mentees
Giving back to the community
Get Involved!
We are always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference for our students. Our mentors work with students one-on-one and in small groups to improve their academic skills.
Our Team
Who We Are
RISE is staffed and governed by passionate people who envision an East Palo Alto where all children and families are empowered to dream boldly and have the self-confidence and skill sets to make their dreams a reality. Equitable educational opportunities abound, and every child is a confident and enthusiastic lifelong learner proud to contribute to the success of their community.
RISE Staff
Karen Hoopes
Founding Co-Director
karen@rise-nonprofit.org
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Karen has always had a passion for working with youth. While raising her own two children she spent fifteen years as a volunteer for various schools in Sunnyvale and Palo Alto, working directly with students as well as serving on the PTA Executive Board. For the last five years Karen has worked for Nixon Elementary School as a substitute teacher and classroom aide. Currently, she is the math specialist for 4th and 5th grade. While working at Nixon she has had the opportunity to work with students from East Palo Alto in the Voluntary Transfer Program, and her interactions with these children sparked her inspiration for RISE. She has also been volunteering for the past four years as a CASA for foster youth through Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. Karen holds a BS in Computer Science/Computer Graphics from Chico State University, and she has had two years of coursework in Counseling Psychology from JFK University.
Sheryl Humble
Founding Co-Director
sheryl@rise-nonprofit.org
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From an early age, Sheryl knew she would be an educator. She grew up in Palo Alto and after graduating Gunn High School she attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She majored in Human Development with an Early Childhood Education emphasis and holds a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she returned to Palo Alto and began raising her family. Her three children all attended Nixon Elementary School and during that time she served as a classroom volunteer, room parent, sat on the PTA Executive Board, and orchestrated several fundraising campaigns. Since 2009 she has been working at Nixon as an Instructional Aide and Substitute teacher. Much of her time is devoted to working with students from East Palo Alto enrolled through the Voluntary Transfer Program (VTP). Working with these children and getting to know their families served as the inspiration and motivation for starting RISE.
Staff
Shirley Poitier
Program Management Officer
shirley@rise-nonprofit.org
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A member of the East Palo Alto community since 1990, Shirley Poitier has made a commitment to make change one tribe at a time. Throughout the years, she has been involved with various non-profit organizations. She holds a BS in Counseling Psychology from William Jessup University and is currently studying the Enneagram with The Narrative as well as EPP The Enneagram Prison Project. A native of East Palo Alto, Shirley lives in the heart of the city. Shirley became the recipient of the Addison Carlson Award ...."demonstrating community service, ministry care for the poor and a commitment to lifelong learning."
She joined RISE because she believes education is the key to success, especially for undervalued students. She has been married for more than 30 years, and one of her children attended The Tinsley program (VTP) too. She understands first hand the disparity for the children of East Palo Alto and its more affluent surrounding areas. Shirley stated that RISE is a fantastic program that she intends to promote and expand with all that she has. Her mantra is "Get in where you fit in and help!".
Casandra Navarro
Eastside Mentorship Coordinator
casandra@rise-nonprofit.org
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Casandra Navarro began working for RISE in 2016. She believes that in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, you must create a legacy that will inspire others! Her empathy for the East Palo Alto community runs deep, she understands firsthand how important it is for underserved kids to have role models and mentors with high integrity in their lives. It is the reason she loves working as the Eastside College Preparatory Mentorship Program Coordinator. Outside of RISE she is a full-time Realtor at Triada Real Estate Group.
Blanca Prado
Community Outreach Coordinator
blanca@rise-nonprofit.org
Sandra Molina
Early Risers Lead teacher
sandra@rise-nonprofit.org
Board of Directors
Board President
Leslie White
Co-Executive Directors
Karen Hoopes
Sheryl Humble
Board Members
Loren Brown
Emily Lovely
Antonio Lopez
Donate to RISE
RISE operates through the generosity of people who share our desire to make a difference. We are grateful to those who have already helped us get our programs off the ground. We look forward to continuing our current programs, as well as growing and expanding so that we are able to reach more kids and families. Please help us make this possible by donating today!