EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION
Empowering Success and Transforming Futures
Empowerment Through Action surrounds students furthest from opportunity with trusted adults, academic support, enrichment, and a clear path from middle school through college and career.
WHY ETA WORKS
Inside-out support, built into school communities.
ETA combines trusted school relationships, trauma literacy, restorative practices, academic support, and community partnerships to help students stay connected and on track.
Built inside schools
Educators who already know the campus lead sustained support during and after the school day
Rooted in Belonging
Mentor groups, restorative practices, and trauma literacy help students build trust and self-confidence.
Connected to Opportunity
Bridge, career, tutoring, and enrichment supports create a clearer path from school to college and work.
OUR IMPACT
A school-based model with measurable momentum.
ETA has grown from a Hillsdale High School pilot into a public-private initiative serving students across San Mateo and Foster City.
459
students supported across San Mateo and Foster City
50%
suspension-rate reduction, 2022-25
100 %
of the class of 2025, ETA participants graduated
59
teachers and school staff serving as mentors
93 %
reported having a trusted adult on campus
200+
community volunteers supporting students with their basic needs
SCHOOL FOOTPRINT
ETA now reaches well beyond its Hillsdale roots.
What began at Hillsdale now supports students across high schools and middle schools in San Mateo and Foster City. The Student counts below show the current ETA participation by school.
Hillsdale High
School
Original ETA site
and model
incubator.
Aragon High
School
High school
mentor groups
and staff leaders.
SM High
School
9th grade groups
and campus
connections.
Bridge
Academy
Transition and
graduation
support.
Abbott
Middle
Middle school
bridge and
mentor groups.
Borel
Middle
New groups
connecting with
HS support.
Bayside
Middle School
Middle school groups with feeder-school partners.
Next expansion focus: building relationships with Bowditch Middle School and Fiesta Gardens International School to include the rest of the middle schools in the San Mateo-Foster City School District.
PROGRAMS
Core programs and wraparound supports.
ETA pairs long-term mentoring and academic pathways with practical supports that help students and families thrive.
4 Core Programs
Weekly Mentorship BELONGING
Small mentor groups led by trained school staff build trust, self-awareness, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Academic Support / ETA RISE LEARNING
After-school tutoring provides a quiet, safe space with peer and adult tutors so students can stay on track.
Bridge to Bridge TRANSITIONS
Students receive support moving from middle school to high school and from high school into college or career pathways.
Career Pathways OPPORTUNITY
Resume help, interview practice, Lunch and Learns, networking, jobs, internships, and professional mentors.
4 Supporting Programs
Enrichment CONFIDENCE
Sports, music, culinary, barbering, cosmetology, Lifestyle Wear, CRC Cafe, field trips, and other experiences build confidence and belonging.
Food Pantry FOOD SECURITY
The Food Pantry provides weekly groceries and essential items so students and families have one less barrier to learning and stability.
Garden WELL-BEING
The Community Garden produces fresh food for pantry bags while creating a place for wellness, service, and community care.
Community Closet ESSENTIAL ITEMS
The Community Closet offers clothing and essential items in a dignified, thrift-store-style setting where students and families can shop for free.
HOW TO HELP
Give, volunteer, or partner with ETA.
Whether you contribute funding, time, expertise, or community connections, your support helps students access opportunity.
Give to ETA
Become an ETA Donor to help build and scale a model that ensures students furthest from opportunity have a path to success
Volunteer or partner
Bring your time and expertise to the programs that support students before, during, and after the school day.
OUR IMPACT
Belonging, confidence, and support in students' own words.
Students describe ETA as a place of connection, confidence, and support.
"Feeling supported and to know I am not alone."
-ETA STUDENT
"Now I am more confident and ask for help when I need it."
-ETA STUDENT
"ETA gave me a place where I could get my homework done in peace."
-ETA STUDENT
GIVE TO ETA
Help scale wraparound support for students across San Mateo and Foster City.
Empowerment Through Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Tax ID 99-4370940. Donations support mentoring, tutoring, enrichment, career pathways, and student/family resources.