Mission Graduates in the News
Discover stories of student achievement, program impact, and community partnerships featured in the media. Read how our collective work strengthens educational opportunities for San Francisco’s youth and families.
Mission Graduates joins UCSF’s PEDAL initiative, training community health workers to recognize addiction, educate about it, and connect resources for addiction support in San Francisco’s Latinx community.
Mission Housing podcast features CEO Edward Kaufman discussing educational challenges and opportunities in San Francisco. Learn about Mission Graduates’ work addressing systemic barriers and creating stronger futures for local…
A feature of CPO Natalie Guandique’s journey from global educator to Mission Graduates leadership. Learn about her impact on after-school programs and professional development for staff.
CEO Edward Kaufman appears on KTVU’s The Four to promote “Dine Out, Do Good” week. Local restaurants donate portions of proceeds to support Mission Graduates’ educational programs for San…
San Francisco Examiner highlights Mission Graduates’ perspective on the new school year, with CEO Edward Kaufman discussing how the organization continues adapting to support students despite potential district changes.
Mission Graduates celebrates 85 newcomer students at Everett Middle School with an “Excellence Dinner” recognizing their academic achievements, language progress, and successful adaptation to life in San Francisco.
🧡 Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Bree Tse
Dr. Bree Tse is an Emergency Medicine physician who shows up for our students in every way possible—reading to elementary students, speaking on career panels at Mission High, and leading fundraising for our Food for Thought campaign.
“There are so many communities and kids who need help right now,” Bree says. “Being able to tap into my network and have them contribute to such a thoughtful, intentional program was extremely reassuring. I know we’re making impact where it matters.”
What keeps her engaged? The breadth of our work. “I can volunteer with elementary school kids in one session, then 16-year-olds in another. It’s rare within a single organization.”
One moment stuck with her: meeting Jorge Pacheco, a firefighter and Marshall Elementary alum who returned to read to students. “Seeing him come back as a community leader—that’s the work coming full circle.”
Another memory from Read Across America: reading a book about the first woman in medicine to young students. “Their innocence and curiosity was so refreshing. It gives me hope that by opening up pathways for kids at this age, their generation will be even more open-minded.”
Bree has volunteered at every stage of her life—teaching in housing projects, providing free medical care at homeless clinics, training with unhoused men during residency. Mission Graduates is where that commitment meets results.
“Mission Graduates is self-perpetuating—when you get kids to believe in themselves and give them tools to succeed, they truly can reach their potential.”
Thank you, Bree, for believing in our students and mobilizing your community to do the same.
#MissionGraduates #VolunteerAppreciationMonth #EducationalEquity #CommunitySupport #VolunteerSpotlight
🌟 Celebrating Our Community of Support
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re taking time to celebrate the incredible people who make our work possible.
Last year, 180+ volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours of support to Mission Graduates students and families—equivalent to more than $82,000 in investment.
Our volunteers show up in countless ways: writing partners helping students craft college essays, math tutors building problem-solving confidence, workshop facilitators sharing career expertise, corporate partners organizing holiday gift drives, and mentors guiding students through internship prep and career exploration.
The impact is real:
👉 88% of high school students with writing partners report that their writing skills improved through this partnership.
👉 86% of Career Readiness Series participants gained confidence in job interviews through volunteer-led workshops.
But the numbers only tell part of the story—countless students now know there’s a community of people invested in their success.
This month, we’ll be highlighting some of our amazing volunteers and the difference they make. To every volunteer who has given their time, expertise, and heart to our students: thank you. You are essential to this work.
🤝 Interested in joining our volunteer community? Learn more at <Link in Bio>
#VolunteerAppreciationMonth #MissionGraduates #CommunitySupport #SanFrancisco #Volunteers EducationEquity
✍️ We’re looking for Writing Partners!
Help Mission Graduates high school seniors tell their college story.
As a Writing Partner, you’ll work one-on-one with a student through their college essays—brainstorming, drafting, and helping them find their voice. No special background needed, just a passion for supporting young people.
Two options:
📝 Summer Partner: 10 weeks (May-July)
📝 Academic Year Partner: 11 months (June-May)
For many of our students, this is the first time anyone in their family has applied to college. Your support can make all the difference.
Interested or know someone who is? <Link in Bio> to learn more and apply.
#CollegeAccess #EducationalEquity #GiveBack #CommunitySupport #VolunteerOpportunity
🎉 Calling all Mission Graduates alumni!
You’re part of a community that doesn’t end when you move on. Join us for an Alumni Social to reconnect, catch up, and celebrate.
📅 Thursday, April 23
⏰ 6-8 PM
📍 Asiento, 21st St
Complimentary appetizers, drinks, updates on what’s new, and an evening with people who get your journey.
RSVP: <Link in bio!> (21+ event)
#MissionGraduates #Alumni #SanFrancisco #MissionDistrict #AlumniEvent
🤝 Building Parent Leadership, One Family at a Time
Ten years ago, Luz Maria joined our Parent Partner Program to support her own children’s education.
Today, even though her children have moved on, she serves as Promotora Principal at two elementary schools—empowering families to navigate systems, advocate for their children, and become leaders themselves.
As Kindergarten to College coordinator, she teaches parents how to access college savings accounts many don’t know they have. During ELAC meetings, she guides parents in understanding Title I and Title III funding. During the pandemic, she taught technology skills for virtual learning.
“Parents trust me to come to them for things they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anybody else.”
This is what peer-to-peer support creates: lasting change. When parents gain knowledge, resources, and leadership skills, entire communities transform.
The results:
✅ 100% of principals say our Parent Partner Program supports families in being active partners in their children’s education
✅ 95% of ELAC participants gained tools to advocate for their child’s needs
✅ 93% of promotoras grew in at least five job-related skill categories
“As parents, we’re like the captain of the boat. With knowledge, resources, and leadership skills, actual change happens—in our families and in our community.”
Read Luz Maria’s full story! <Link in Bio>
#MissionGraduates #ParentEngagement #CommunityLeadership #EducationEquity
🧡 Remembering Liz Specht: A Founding Force Behind Mission Graduates
We are deeply saddened to share that Liz Specht, a founding leader of Mission Graduates, passed away on March 6 at the age of 97. Liz’s impact on our organization—and on the thousands of students and families we’ve served over 50 years—cannot be overstated.
Liz joined what was then St. John’s Educational Threshold Center in 1975, taking over leadership from our first Executive Director, Sylvia Yee. For half a century, she remained a constant presence in our work—as a staff member, board member, ambassador, and devoted supporter.
Liz witnessed Mission Graduates evolve from a small tutoring program operating out of St. John’s Episcopal Church in the North Mission to the comprehensive organization we are today, serving 3,800+ students and families across San Francisco. She championed what would become College Connect. She was there when we established our permanent home on 16th Street. Through every milestone, she believed deeply in the potential of every student and the power of education to transform lives.
Colleagues and friends remember Liz as a woman of formidable determination and unwavering commitment to educational equity. Alongside her husband Ed, she poured her heart into this work for decades.
Liz’s legacy lives on in every student who finds support at Mission Graduates, in every family that gains the tools to advocate for their children, in every young person who walks across a graduation stage.
⭐
Her requiem mass will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, March 11, at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Mill Valley. All who knew and loved Liz are welcome. cc/ @saintjohnsf
🇲🇽 🧡 Last week, we welcomed Lorena Kumate Rogers, Executive Director of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IMME), and Consul Mireya Magaña from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco.
María Rocha, Assistant Director of our Parent Partner Program, guided them through our programs—from Marshall Elementary’s integrated day and after-school model to our College Connect offices, where we shared our work supporting first-generation college students.
These visits create space to see the work in action, meet our students and staff, and explore how we can collaborate to better serve the Mexican and Mexican-American families in our community.
We’re grateful for partners who invest time in understanding what’s happening on the ground—and excited about opportunities to work together with the Institute of Mexicans Abroad in the future.
Gracias, Directora Kumate and Cónsul Magaña, for visiting us.
#MissionGraduates #EducationalEquity #FirstGeneration #CommunityPartnership #IMME @consulmexsfo
🖤💚❤️💛 February brought Black excellence to life across our programs.
At Sanchez Elementary, students in TK-5th grade celebrated Black History Month with cultural dances, capoeira demonstrations, skits, and presentations honoring Afro-Latino heritage and leaders from across the African diaspora.
Students learned about activists, poets, musicians, athletes, and changemakers—discovering where they’re from and how they’ve shaped the world.
Events like these create space for students to see themselves in history, take pride in their heritage, and understand their story is part of a larger, powerful legacy.
Thank you to the educators, families, and students who made February a month of learning, pride, and community. ✊🏾
#BlackHistoryMonth #MissionGraduates #AfroLatino #CulturalCelebration
Diego’s high school journey didn’t start with clarity. When he transferred to Mission High halfway through sophomore year, he was ready for a fresh start—but still uncertain about his future.
🎯 That changed when he discovered Mission High’s Future Center.
Diego started showing up almost daily during lunch for scholarship opportunities, college application support, essay help, and one-on-one counseling.
“Once you join the programs, they give you so many resources. If you’re going to show up to school, you might as well do the work.”
📚 Six weeks into junior year, Diego earned his first 4.0.
That summer, through Future Center connections, he landed a paid internship at the VA Hospital—waking up at 5am to work in the OR, observing surgeries, and talking with nurses about their careers. One conversation about CRNAs gave him a clear vision for his future. Today, Diego is applying to top nursing programs, including University of Pittsburgh.
✨ When schools, community organizations, and families work together, students don’t fall through the cracks. They thrive.
This year at Mission High:
👉 98% of seniors completed FAFSA (vs. 24% statewide drop)
👉 82% attending four-year colleges (3x statewide rate for Latinx students)
Read Diego’s full story: <Link in Bio>
#MissionGraduates #FutureCenter #CollegeAccess #FirstGen #StudentSuccess
Summer 2026 is calling! ☀️
7 weeks of adventure, creativity, and connection for K-8 students. Sign up for one week or all seven—your choice!
What’s happening:
🌳 Outdoor adventures & field trips
🎨 Arts, crafts & hands-on projects
🤝 Building friendships in safe, caring spaces
The details:
📅 June 8 - July 21
⏰ 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (morning & aftercare available)
📍 SFUSD school sites near you
💰 Save 15% when you register by March 31
Sliding scale fees & scholarships available.
Enroll now: <Link in bio> or missiongraduates.org/summer
#MissionGraduates #SummerCamp #Summer2026 #SFUSD #SummerFun
🚀 Our 2025 Annual Report Is Here
We’re proud to share what becomes possible when our community comes together.
In a year marked by uncertainty, our community responded with determination:
✅ 100% of elementary principals say our programs contribute to community and belonging
✅ 98% of Mission High seniors completed FAFSA (vs. a 24% statewide drop)
✅ 96% of our college seniors enrolled in four-year universities
This report tells the stories behind these numbers: students finding direction, parents becoming leaders, alumni returning to serve, and supporters rallying their networks.
When challenges emerge, our community doesn’t just respond—we rise together. 💪
Read the full report—link in bio!
#MissionGraduates #Education #CommunityImpact #SanFrancisco #FirstGen
🧡 What a week.
The SFUSD strike has ended. We’re thankful educators achieved progress on wages, healthcare, and resources for special education—their fight matters for teachers and students alike.
We’re excited to welcome students and families back to our regular program sites on Wednesday, February 18, after the long weekend.
This week showed us what community looks like. Partners opened their doors on a moment’s notice. Volunteers stepped up. Families trusted us. And our students kept learning, connecting, and thriving.
Huge thank you to @communitymusiccenter, @missionhousing, @thesmartprogram, @sfrecpark, @sf_dcyf, @mamamaris_taqueria, @ilparco.sf, and everyone who made our rapid response possible.
We’re grateful. We’re ready. See you Wednesday. 👏
#MissionGraduates #SFUSD #CommunityStrong
