Save the Date: Saturday, June 6, 2015

Hope for Children Now Benefit Gala

Faz Restaurant in Downtown Oakland
1111 Broadway

Enjoy an evening of flavorful foods, entertainment, inspiring stories,
and opportunities to invest in our children.

For questions about tickets, event sponsorship, or volunteering,
contact us at 510.836.5100 or chelsea@faith-network.com.

More details coming soon!

President's Corner: Math Matters

Randy Roth, President of Faith Network

Math matters because kids count! 
Students may ask why math is necessary. Why? Because people must have math skills to perform basic activities like following a recipe, managing a budget, deciding whether a sale item is a good
deal, and so on. Financial Analyst Mike Walker points out that kids must be proficient at math in order to buy a car without getting taken for “the wrong kind of ride.”

Math teaches both life and critical thinking skills such as logic and order. An example of mathematical critical thinking is when students are required to explain how they arrived at a solution to a complex problem or to describe the ideas behind a formula. Mathematical equations have predictable outcomes, and precise steps must be followed in order to attain that result. Discipline of mind is a byproduct, something that companies looking to hire understand and take advantage of. Some businesses will hire math majors based on the presumption that students who are good at math have learned how to think and will be able to learn and perform well on the job.

In mathematics, 68 percent of Oakland’s tenth graders passed the 2013 exit exam compared to an average of 84 percent statewide. That’s why Faith Network is recruiting a growing team of math tutors, to improve Oakland’s percentage so that more students are better equipped to live quality lives.

To learn more, email Margena Wade-Green.

Unlocking the Excitement

Rebecca J. Buckley, Director of Succeeding by Reading

His name is David and he’s in second grade. At the beginning of the year, he was so shy and so scared that he couldn't answer any of the questions on our student diagnostic assessment. What would be the keys to unlock David’s excitement for learning?

On his first day of tutoring, we tried some beginning sounds picture puzzles. When David saw them, he got a little smile on his face, and he said very quietly, “I like puzzles.” One key!

The following week, David came to tutoring wearing a MONSTER TRUCKS T-shirt. It turns out that David likes to go to Monster Truck shows with his dad. Another key! We found a cool Monster Trucks! book, with lots of photographs, to read together. Ever since then, David has been growing in confidence and gaining skills on his way to becoming a reader.

Now David has completed many phonics puzzles, along with practicing sight words and reading books. He enjoys familiar stories like “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Three Bears,” and is proud of his progress.

Finding the keys--
that’s what volunteer tutors do at twenty Excel Reading Clinics in schools all over Oakland and beyond. Every week, over a hundred tutors sit beside students like David, practicing skills and providing support to help unlock students’ excitement for reading.

Join us! Email Rebecca for more information on how to get involved.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month!

Click here to view all of our volunteer opportunities.

Faith Network wishes you a new year 

full of hope, joy, and abundant blessings!

Financial Literacy Opens Students’ Eyes on Their Future

What a joy to see a dozen PwC US (PricewaterhouseCoopers) consultants show up at Prescott Elementary ready to engage 3^rd – 5^th graders on dollars and cents  matters with lessons on “Credit & Debt”, “Saving & Investing” and “Income & Careers.”  Instead of lecturing, the PwC team invites students to role play, with lessons aimed at using critical thinking skills in practical real-life applications.

Over a year ago, PwC contacted Faith Network about getting involved in the Oakland Unified School District in hopes that its Earn YourFuture  (EYF) financial literacy curriculum might be a welcome complement to the local schools. Initial discussions led to the launching of a pilot after-school financial literacy enrichment program at MLK Jr. Elementary, resulting in rave reviews from Principal Roma Groves.

PwC employees have continued working with MLK Jr. Elementary and thanks to a recent grant of $30,000 from the PwC Charitable Foundation, we look forward to continuing this work with PwC by expanding EYF to more schools and providing career skills and experience for students in West Oakland.

Join Us for Champions for Children

Are you ready for Faith Network's 3rd Annual Champions for Children 5K Walk/Run?

Mark your calendars and tell your friends to join you for the Champions for Children on October 26 at Lake Merritt in Oakland! 

Register Now:

• Click here to register online
• Call our office at 510-836-5100
  

What to Expect:

• Prizes for top fundraisers and runners!
• Skyline High School Jazz Band  
• Special Guests: OUSD school officials and community leaders
• Fun for everyone!

Event Day: October 26

• Check-in at 8:00 am
• Race begins at 9:00 am 
• Check-in and Starting Line at Edoff Memorial Bandstand in Lakeside Park (behind Fairyland)

Join us for the Champions for Children 5K to help Faith Network raise funds and awareness for programs that serve students at under-resourced schools in Oakland.  Faith Network is a collaboration of community-based organizations, individuals, businesses, educators and civic leaders mobilized to invest their time and other resources to improve the whole health of children and families of the East Bay.