Ashley Goldsmith

The Most Important Contributor to a Student’s Academic Success

December 28, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Literacy, Neighborhood Presence, Parent Engagement, Serving Our Schools

What is the most important contributor to a student’s success in school?

In Fresno Unified, 80% of students are unable to read at their grade level. Fresno schools are growing their early intervention programs and literacy mentors are providing one-on-one support to students. However, data shows reading skills and educational success are dependent on many factors outside the classroom.

In fact, “parental education might be the biggest factor” in determining a student’s academic success according to a 2022 EdSource article.

If parents are unable to read with their kids at home, don’t know about school events, or are unsure who to contact with concerns, their students are less likely to feel confident in school.

“Schools are doing a lot,” says Sabrina Rodarte, Every Neighborhood Partnership’s Extended Learning Coordinator. “What we need is more support for parents. We need to ask, how can we build up a parent so they can build up their child?”

Schools are doing a lot. What we need is more support for parents.
Sabrina Rodarte, ENP’s Extended Learning Coordinator

Every Neighborhood Partnership Launching New Fresno Drive Tours in 2024!

December 11, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Equipping

Do you want to uncover the hidden gems and untold stories of Fresno from your car? Do you have a desire to know your city and get involved at a deeper level? Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) is thrilled to invite you to dive into the heart of our city through our new and improved Drive Tours!

Working with Elementary Kids Changed This College Student’s Life

November 14, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, Literacy, Neighborhood Presence, Partnership Spotlight, Saturday Sports, Serving Our Neighborhoods, Serving Our Schools

Before working with Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP), Sheng Xiong says she felt she was at her lowest point in life. Her job at a fast food restaurant made it difficult for her to balance her college and work responsibilities.

When Sheng received a message to her Fresno State email about an opportunity to work with elementary-aged kids through ENP, “it felt like fate.”

Why Fresno Churches Need to be Connected for Lasting Impact

September 29, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Equipping, Events, Serving Our Neighborhoods

Fresno has the highest concentrated poverty rate in California, 8 in 10 students are struggling to read at grade level, and many families are experiencing food insecurity.

For those who are led by the teachings of Jesus, apathy and non action are not viable responses to these realities.

“[If you believe] that everybody [is] made in the image of God…You have to care about the people who live next door!
Joe White, Pastor of Neighborhood Church

But where does a church begin to address this issue? How can a church address the struggles our city faces in a lasting, meaningful way?

Put simply, they can’t. Not alone.

What does 15-years of partnership look like?

September 11, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Perspectives

This year, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) is celebrating our 15-year anniversary.

As we reflect on the incredible people who have helped us grow, clarified our vision, and partnered with us since the beginning, there aren’t adequate words to express our gratitude. So we’re going to let these thoughts from the ENP team and our partners say it all.

Latin Dance Fitness Program: A Powerful Example Of Residents Leading Change In Their Own Neighborhoods

August 14, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Equipping, Neighborhood Presence, Serving Our Neighborhoods

Why Fresno Residents Need to Understand Land Use

July 8, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Equipping, Events, Serving Our Neighborhoods

All the injustices we can name come down to land and who is control of it.
~ Ivan Paz, Community Land Use Academy Project Manager, Every Neighborhood Partnership

How Free Saturday Lunches are Addressing Hunger among Fresno Children

June 19, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Neighborhood Presence, Saturday Sports, Serving Our Schools

Hunger is a reality for many families in Fresno, California, and children are among the most vulnerable community members. The Fresno Mission and Every Neighborhood Partnership are working to change this.

Although the Central Valley produces a quarter of the country’s food supply, Fresno was ranked one of the most food insecure communities in the United States. Homes with children are about one-third more vulnerable to hunger than homes without children.

While children can eat school lunches throughout the week, some kids in our city may not have access to nutritious food on the weekends.

To help address this need, Every Neighborhood Partnership incorporates a snack or lunch in every one of our Saturday Sports programs, and this year, the Fresno Mission came alongside ENP to pack and provide the meals for every kid attending Saturday Sports.

Our Children’s Ability to Read Now Will Have a Lifelong and City-wide Impact

May 8, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, Literacy, Parent Engagement, Serving Our Schools

In third grade, Sam reads stories about farm animals, giant peaches, and magical dragons. About 75% of his peers struggle to read at third grade level.

In sixth grade, Sam is a little taller and strong enough to lug around a backpack full of books he will pour over for his history project on Ancient Civilizations. This year, several of his former classmates don’t pass the history class because they’re unable to comprehend the assigned reading making up 85% of their curriculum.

In twelfth grade, Sam tours colleges, sifts through complex financial aid documents, and writes application essays. About 1 in 6 of his friends who weren’t reading at grade level in third grade have dropped out of high school.

Children’s ability to read has profound implications for their lives and their engagement with their community.

Why Every School in Fresno Needs a Garden

April 24, 2023 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, ENP News, Parent Engagement, Serving Our Schools

Fresno community members were ranked the 3rd most food insecure in the United States according to a 2018 report from the Food Research & Action Center. Many families in Southwest Fresno live in “food deserts,” meaning there is no ready access to affordable, healthy food. A lack of access to and education about healthy, readily-available food contributes to significant and detrimental health effects such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.

Children are among the most vulnerable community members, and limited access to nutritious foods and education about healthy living make them more susceptible to poor health conditions.

A more hopeful reality is playing out on a sunny afternoon at Kepler Neighborhood School, where nine first-graders sit on the edge of their very own school garden boxes, giggling as they chomp on home-grown celery.

To address food disparity and support children in our city’s areas of highest need, Every Neighborhood Partnership is partnering with King Elementary and Kepler Neighborhood School to design and implement a pilot Edible School Garden project. ENP is working to expand the program to include a garden at every one of our after-school program sites by next school year!

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Ashley Goldsmith