About Us
Who We AreRISE partners with children and families in East Palo Alto from birth through high school, helping them access the opportunities and support they deserve. We offer early learning, after-school programming, mentorship, and family engagement rooted in trust and long-term relationships. By staying closely connected to families, we provide consistent, high-touch support that strengthens confidence, learning, and community.
Our Programs
Early RISErs
(Ages 0-5)
Bilingual (Spanish) classes partnering with caregivers to build critical early literacy, cognitive, and social-emotional skills.
Elementary After-School
(Grades K-5)
Daily after-school academic support and creative enrichment, paired with weekly mentorship from Eastside Prep high school students.
Middle & High School
(Grades 6-12)
A safe drop-in space providing core tutoring, snacks, and a trusted community to check in. (Launching mid-September: additional weekly community days alternating between creative and mental health support).
Little Blue House Collaborative
(Birth to Five)
A welcoming physical community hub connecting families to trusted early childhood resources and play.
Our Team
-
Fatima
Executive Director
fatima@rise-nonprofit.org -
Karen Hoopes
Co-Founder
karenhoopes99@gmail.com -
Sheryl Humble
Co-Founder & Elementary Program Lead
sheryl@rise-nonprofit.org -
Shirley Poitier
Program Lead, Little Blue House Collaborative
shirley@rise-nonprofit.org -
Sandra Molina
Program Lead, Early RISErs
sandra@rise-nonprofit.org -
Stephanie Ibarra Vargas
Middle / High School Program Lead
stephanie@rise-nonprofit.org