Oakland Kids First
Organization Details
| Name | Oakland Kids First |
| URL | http://www.oaklandkidsfirst.org |
| Phone number | 510 452 2043 |
Organization Description
| Service(s) description | Oakland Kids First (OKF) works to ensure that OUSD high schools are places where youth and adults work in partnership to improve student learning, leadership, achievement, and equity. Based on the challenges, needs, and opportunities in Oakland high schools, OKF has designed a unique, locally relevant solution to harness youth expertise and leadership to ensure 9th graders receive academic advising and all students are engaged in the creation of positive values-based school culture. Oakland Kids First's Engagement for Equity model employs two important programs: 1. Peers Advising Students 2 Succeed (PASS-2) trains upper classmen to provide 9th graders with peer academic mentoring through classroom workshops and one-on-one mentoring. 2. Representing Educated Active Leaders Having A Righteous Dream (REAL HARD) is an after school youth organizing program that engages 9th–12th grade leaders in positive school culture formation to increase belonging, equity and graduation rates. Additionally, we are the Lead Agency Parter at Castlemont High School, where we hold after school programming. Programs include, FabLab, Green Eatz, Drivers Ed, Teens on Target, Debate Club, and Peer Interpreter Program. |
| Program impact | Oakland Kids First programs provide not only leadership and skills training, but structured opportunities in school and after school for students to lead workshops with their peers on academic support graduation, college and transcript literacy, and conduct activities that give their peers a chance to contribute to building a positive school culture. As a result of PASS-2, student leaders are developed into skilled facilitators and mentors, and the students they teach learn their A-G requirements, how to read their transcripts, what resources exist on campus, how to make up classes, and how to navigate difficult situations. PASS2 mentors ensure every 9th grader receives a baseline of important school navigation information before students seek out counselors for more advanced queries. This ensures that overburdened counselors have some support, 9th graders can learn personal lessons from their peers, and students who won't seek out support get it anyway. REAL HARD has ensured students feel a greater sense of safety and belonging on campus, while also inserting themselves into adult decision making spaces to advocate for student needs. All four of REAL HARD's sites have adopted student created Codes of Respect and REAL HARD students have developed various strategies to uphold and institutionalize these codes via school currency and stores to incentivize the lifting up of positive school culture. This student work has been institutionalized at several sites and continues to grow. |
Community programs are organized into categories known as Community School Elements. All community programs associated with Oakland Kids First are listed below and each program may be provided at 1 or more schools. You can use the 'Show Details' buttons to learn more about each program.
Expanded Learning (7 programs)
Programs that provide additional opportunities to practice the skills students are learning in the classroom and to cultivate the study habits and mindset needed to succeed in school.
Family Engagement & Support (1 program)
Programs that help bridge OUSD staff with the communities they serve, incorporating the experiences of all families, such that all stakeholders become authentic co-owners of our schools.
School Readiness & Transitions (1 program)
Programs that provide additional support during uncertain periods in student lives, such as foster youth, refugee & asylee students, unaccompanied minors, students with unstable housing, and students transitioning from one program to another.
Youth leadership (1 program)
Programs to help cultivate civically engaged communities in which students have power to inform, influence, and shape policy that reflects their perspective.