Hope is our Superpower
Our country is divided, the planet is in crisis, we are lost. That’s what your Facebook feed may have you believe. But if you listen to the children playing in the yard, you hear a different story. “Come on, let’s see how high we can go!” There is joy, curiosity, wonder, courage, and kindness all around us. This can shape our tomorrow -- if we choose hope.
At the Live Oak Cradle to Career Initiative -- also fondly known as “Cuna a Carrera,” or “C2C” -- we have asked hundreds of parents over the last 5 years: What are your hopes and dreams for your children? In their own language, we hear familiar words time and again: good education, good health, and good character. These hopeful words are backed by a special kind of rocket fuel: love in action.
C2C’s Parent Leadership Committee and multi-agency Steering Committee work directly with families to generate all kinds of support like positive parenting workshops, ESL classes, affordable children’s recreation, food distribution, and more. C2C is also seizing opportunities to shift policies and build equity into the fabric of our institutions.
Fueled by their love, we see immigrant moms braving the podium to advocate for affordable housing, childcare, and access to healthcare. They are stepping up to reinvigorate their English Learner Advisory Council, and helping to launch a new dual immersion program.
The parents are supported by school, government and nonprofit partners committed to tackling disparities and co-creating solutions to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. For example, Santa Cruz Community Health Centers and the Live Oak School District have formed an interdisciplinary Community Care Team for very high need students so families get consistent, coordinated care. All of these collective efforts are paying off.
At C2C’s main hub, Live Oak Elementary, we have seen an incredible 31-point increase in 3rd grade English Language Arts scores over two years, and the school won the California Distinguished Schools Award twice in a row - the only elementary school in the county to win this recognition. As Superintendent Lorie Chamberland said, “This award is a highly significant accomplishment since Live Oak School not only received this honor for overall achievement, but also for continuing to close the achievement gap for our English Learners and low-income students.”
The founding conveners of C2C, including County Supervisor John Leopold, have worked side by side with parents and agency partners to set goals and transform systems. This culture of authentic inclusion and civic power is C2C’s special sauce, and it all begins with hope.
Hope is not putting your head in the sand. Hope is effort. Hope is resilience. It is taking the microphone and hearing your trembling voice boom across the room. It is proudly sporting your “I voted” sticker on Election Day. It is being mindful of when, where and how you show up for the community. Hope is a daily practice, and your neighborhood kids can be your coach - it’s their superpower.