ABOUT RISE

RISE is a bilingual family-oriented career counseling program for high school students in Cloverdale run by On the Margins provided at La Familia Sana. This program addresses the lack of access to culturally responsive career counseling services for lower income and BIPOC identified high school students. This program aims to improve students’ awareness of their career interests, skills, personality traits, and their association, and to engage them with professional development seminars, workshops, and a career fair.

The program embraces culturally responsive approaches and is offered with age-appropriate activities. The program also includes their families into conversations to promote intergenerational connections during students’ career explorations.

RISE THEORY OF CHANGE

IF

Sonoma County high school students, particularly those from first-generation and underrepresented backgrounds, are provided with structured opportunities for career exploration, financial literacy education, and entrepreneurial development

AND

they are supported by experienced facilitators, local professionals, and have access to real-world resources through hands-on activities, field trips, and personalized mentoring

THEN

students will develop critical skills in financial planning, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. They will gain the confidence to pursue higher education and careers in industries that align with their interests, including technical careers and entrepreneurship, creating a foundation for long-term upward economic mobility, innovation, and community leadership.

  • The results from a 2023 survey analysis between the beginning (pre) and the end (post) of the program showed that on average, participants had significant improvements in multiple outcomes.

    The participants’ self-awareness improved throughout the program, indicating that they became better aware of themselves and their career choices. They also better understood the importance of mental health and would more likely to seek support.

    The participants reported better knowledge on the skill sets needed for career advancement and budgeting after the program.

    The participants reported more active participation in career counseling services that respected their cultural backgrounds more.

TESTIMONIALS

  • “I liked that we got taught about our future and the struggles you guys went through to help us prevent going through that.”

    RISE STUDENT PARTICIPANT

  • “Something that really interested me is that it gave me the advice I need to fulfill my career and the tips and ideas to use in the future. It made think a lot on planning on what to do when I get older, and it was really fun meeting everyone.”

    RISE STUDENT PARTICIPANT

  • “…I feel like [the program] definitely made people feel more open and comfortable. It also made it easier for us to communicate with each other and learn better.”

    RISE STUDENT PARTICIPANT