#135-Real Talk with the Team Behind Hillsdale High School Program

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦Have you ever wondered what can happen when a community comes together with a shared mission—to ensure every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential?In this inspiring episode of Real Talk with Grace Redman, I return to my alma mater, Hillsdale High School, where Empowerment Through Action (ETA) first began, for a meaningful conversation with Co-Executive Directors Brett Stevenson, Rachel Lauderdale, Ed Kanda, and Deshawn Mitchell.What started as a mentoring program serving students at Hillsdale High School has grown into a transformative movement impacting students and families throughout San Mateo County. Today, ETA's reach extends to San Mateo High School, Aragon High School, Bridge Academy, and several feeder middle schools, with an ambitious vision to expand even further through the Empower San Mateo initiative.This conversation is a powerful reminder that when people choose to lead with compassion, invest in relationships, and believe in the potential of the next generation, they can create lasting change that transforms lives and strengthens entire communities.𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞:🔶 How ETA helps students feel seen, heard, and supported and why that changes everything🔶 The power of mentorship and building relationships that last far beyond graduation🔶 Why ETA believes you can only move at the speed of trust🔶 How students discover strengths and leadership qualities they didn't know they possessed🔶 The Bridge-to-Bridge program that supports students from middle school through their first steps after high school🔶 How ETA helps students explore careers, entrepreneurship, trades, college pathways, and real-world opportunities🔶 The inspiring stories of students who transformed when someone finally believed in them🔶 The impact of the Peace Pantry, Community Closet, and Community Garden serving families throughout the community🔶 How the Empower San Mateo initiative is expanding support to even more students and families across the districtEmpowerment Through Action (ETA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students furthest from opportunity through mentorship, leadership development, enrichment programs, academic support, family engagement, and community resources. Their mission is to ensure every student has the support, opportunities, and encouragement needed to reach their highest potential.What makes ETA unique is its commitment to walking alongside students for years, building trust, creating community, and helping young people discover that they are capable of far more than they may believe.Whether you're interested in volunteering, mentoring, partnering, donating, or simply learning more, there are many ways to support the mission of Empowerment Through Action.Every act of kindness creates a ripple.Every student deserves to be seen.Every young person deserves the opportunity to dream.Thank you for being on this journey with us.Grace𝘗.𝘚. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩.Connect with Empowerment Through Action🔶 Website: https://empowermentthroughaction.com🔶 Watch this Episode: https://youtu.be/dFrZ6InCCMg?si=UZynz2odgEfUJJkf🔶 Learn More About Volunteering, Mentorship & Community Support OpportunitiesFollow Me🔶 Subscribe to the Podcast: Real Talk with Grace Redman🔶 Website: www.graceredman.com