Serving Our Schools

ENP Literacy Report for the 2023-2024 School Year

July 10, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, ENP News, Literacy

After a Year of Literacy Support, How Are Our Students Doing?

A child’s reading skills are directly tied to their ability to thrive as an adult. Completing job applications, applying for scholarships, registering to vote, and getting a car loan all involve reading! Students with strong literacy skills are more likely to have higher self-esteem, graduate high school, and earn a living wage.

Because of this, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) believes a city that works for everyone is a city where all children are given the support they need to become strong readers. However, in Fresno Unified School District (FUSD), only 22% of our 70,000 students are reading at their grade level.

CLUA Para Nosotros: Why a new version of our Community Land Use Academy is offered in Spanish

May 31, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, Community Outreach, Economic Development, ENP News, Equipping, Neighborhood Presence, Serving Our Neighborhoods

“[Because] of a lack of awareness, many times we limit ourselves [or don’t know how] to make changes for our communities. For many years I was advocating with a group of residents for a pedestrian crosswalk in our area- the area around Susan B Anthony [Elementary School].

Now that I am in this program, I know exactly what the process is that I have to follow to guide other leaders so they can advocate for the development of our communities.”
Juana Iris Meza

Creative Ways Fresno Community Members are Making their Neighborhoods Healthier

April 23, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith Neighborhood Presence, Parent Engagement, Serving Our Neighborhoods

Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌱🌻 Today, people around the world are celebrating efforts to care for our natural resources. We’re bringing Earth Day to Fresno as we share stories of two community members, like you and me, who are working to make our city a healthier place to live. Continue reading to also learn about ways you can be part of this work in your neighborhood!

What is the Impact of $903,060 in Volunteer Time?

April 3, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith Campus Presence, Community Outreach, ENP News, Literacy, Neighborhood Presence, Saturday Sports, Serving Our Neighborhoods, Serving Our Schools

Nonprofits like Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) cannot do what we do without volunteers.

In 2023, volunteers invested 28,938 hours in Fresno schools and neighborhoods through ENP’s School Support and Neighborhood Development programs. These hours are equal to $903,060.53 in value. That’s almost $1,000,000 of volunteer hours poured into the city of Fresno!

“If you look around your city and see things you want to change, but you don’t know how, start by volunteering with a nonprofit,” says Andrew Feil, ENP’s Executive Director. “Your time is worth more than you can imagine.”

1,017 volunteers

28,938 hours given

$903,060.53 in value

2023 Every Neighborhood Partnership Volunteer Data

Continue reading to learn what impact volunteers have on Fresno schools, neighborhoods, and future generations. ↓

Important Literacy Documentary, “The Right to Read,” Playing at Tower Theatre on March 4th

February 28, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Literacy, Partnership Spotlight

Fresno residents are invited to attend a local screening and panel discussion of the documentary, The Right to Read, at the historical Tower Theatre on Monday, March 4th at 6 PM.

A Pastor’s Challenge to Christians in our City

February 13, 2024 Ashley Goldsmith ENP News, Equipping, Neighborhood Presence, Serving Our Neighborhoods, Serving Our Schools

“What good is it to say, ‘I love my neighbor,’ but not be present with them?”

David Delgado, The Garage Community Church.

Two years ago, the principal of Pyle Elementary asked Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) if there was a local church who would like to partner with their school. He was specifically looking for volunteers to serve as mentors for their 5th and 6th grade students.

Pyle Elementary School is about a ten minute walk from The Garage Community Church. “They’re our neighbors,” says David Delgado, a deacon at the church.

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

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.”

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.