Mission Statement
Good Cents for Oakland teaches children, pre-k through eighth grade, that they can be effective agents of positive change in Oakland by providing local schools with a turn-key program that promotes civic engagement by:
-raising awareness and educating students about issues affecting their community
-providing a framework in which students are empowered to make meaningful decisions, exercise leadership skills, learn the importance of voting, reinforce academics and practice philanthropy
-creating family community service opportunities to strengthen bonds within the community
Description
Children at schools participating in the Good Cents for Oakland Penny Roundup Program round up idle pennies and other coins in the community to benefit non-profit organizations working in Oakland, CA and their own schools. Children discuss issues affecting Oakland, vote as a school on one issue to support and then choose a non-profit working in Oakland on that issue. They then raise pennies (and other coins) for that non-profit and make a grant of 100% of what they raise to the non-profit. Good Cents for Oakland offers its program, includine a 10-week curriculum reinforcing language arts, social studies, math, financial literacy and civics, to Oakland schools at no cost.
Often, community service projects are focused on problems far from home or inspired by the ideas of adults. We believe we can create a more inspiring and meaningful community service experience for children by giving them the ability to direct the funds they raise to issues they themselves find compelling.
Our Program provides a valuable opportunity for children to exercise and develop important life skills, including critical thinking, communication, presentation, teamwork and leadership skills as they educate themselves and others in their school about community issues and non-profit organizations working in Oakland.
