Folsom's Hope

Folsom's Hope provides holistic support to under-resourced students and their families in Folsom, offering a comprehensive approach to education, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Our core values—Courage, Kindness, and Respect—serve as the foundation for the personal growth of the children we support. Folsom's Hope’s programs are designed to support the most vulnerable students, including students living in poverty, foster youth, English Language Learners, and students on the school district's homeless services caseload. Folsom’s Hope currently serves students in 1st through 8th grades through its after-school and mentoring programs, and will add an internship program for 9th-12th graders in the 2025-2026 school year. 95% of participating students reside in subsidized housing in Folsom, and 100% of our students in the after-school programs qualify for the free lunch programs.

Folsom’s Hope plays a vital role in addressing the unique needs of our community. No other program in Folsom offers the same level of educational, social, and emotional support, including after-school programs and one-on- one mentoring. Folsom schools do not qualify for traditional grant funding for these programs due to the absence of Title 1 schools in the area, meaning there is limited financial support available for programs that serve at-risk children.

Our work directly impacts several key community priorities, including youth development, education, and social equity. By providing after-school programming and mentoring to the most vulnerable youth in our community, we foster academic success, personal growth, and positive life outcomes. Our efforts also contribute to reducing the achievement gap, promoting safe and supportive environments, and empowering young people to overcome challenges. Ultimately, we are working to strengthen the community by supporting the next generation of leaders and ensuring all youth have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

After sixteen years of providing free, high-quality programs for under resourced youth at local school sites in Folsom, Folsom's Hope is on the cusp of significant growth as it prepares to move into its own building in June 2025. This move positions Folsom's Hope to expand its elementary after-school program, re-launch its middle school program, pilot job readiness internships for high school students, and increase parent and family engagement.

These programs are highly unique within the Folsom community. Founded on research-based practices in social- emotional learning, Folsom's Hope's programs promote dignity and belonging as the foundation for academic achievement and well-being. Daily programming includes both academic support and interactive teaching and learning techniques that develop social-emotional competencies like self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Many of the youth within Folsom's Hope's programs are youth of color navigating a school system that does not reflect their identities in its curriculum or culture. Folsom's Hope creates a nurturing space where youth are seen and honored for their unique gifts, strengths, and dreams, and inspired to grow to their full potential.