Empowerment Through Action
Empowering Success and Transforming Futures
Empowerment Through Action is a program that supports over 160 of Hillsdale’s historically underserved students. The program consists of wellness groups, tutoring, enrichment activities, job and career training, parent education, and a food pantry. The mission of ETA, launched in the Spring of 2018, is to close the opportunity gap and foster belonging for our students to enhance achievement in the following areas: social and emotional growth, academic growth, development of self-confidence and inner capital, social connection, and job and internship placement.
Program Offerings
Empowerment Group
Students meet with a trained adult in a small affinity group (based on grade, gender and similar backgrounds) once a week for one hour, thirty times over the course of the year.
Community Resource Center
An ETA hub for students to access resources (technology and materials) and professional tutors four days a week.
Enrichment Activities
Students can choose a meaningful enrichment activity of their choice to participate in. Activities are made possible by the Police Athletic League (PAL) of San Mateo and include: ELD soccer, basketball, DJing, fashion design, and dodgeball.
Job & Career Training
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors meet with our Jobs and Internship Coordinator for interview coaching, resume building, and opportunities to interview with community partner businesses for summer internships or jobs.
Family Education
Parents are invited to participate in biannual ETA family nights to learn more about the program, school, and resources for their students. Parents and guardians are invited to participate in an adult wellness circle to understand the experience of their students.
Peace Pantry
Our Peace Pantry has been serving Hillsdale families since May 2019. In response to Covid-19, we transitioned to a curbside pickup. We are currently providing 150 Hillsdale and Bridge families with a bag of non-perishable foods and a bag of hygiene products every Friday.
Community Closet
In August 2023, we opened the Hillsdale Community Closet as an additional level of support to community members in need. The Closet offers seasonal clothing and essential items at no cost to eligible students and their families.
The main purpose of the garden is to provide additional produce for the Hillsdale Peace Pantry, our emergency food drive-thru that serves around 130 school families every week. Now we can add organic fruits and vegetables harvested from our very own garden to the food boxes.
