HOPE - Helping Oakland Pupils Excel

"When I was asked when I was 12 years old if I was interested in being mentored by a Rotarian and having the opportunity to get $10,000 for college, my first thought was that kids like me don't go to college and then I realized the door was open in front of me and I decided to walk through." - Former mentee - Recent graduate of UC Davis

The HOPE  (Help Oakland Pupils Excel) committee was formed over 30 years ago by Rotary president Jack McAboy. A sixth grader is paired with a Rotarian who is there to provide mentorship, leadership skills and occasional assistance with schoolwork. The committee hosts group activities, as well as individual activities with the mentee. This is a terrific opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young person who may not understand all the opportunities that they may have for success. 

We provide mentoring to a select group of students, starting in their middle school years and continuing through high school graduation. If a HOPE (Helping Oakland Pupils Excel) mentee meets specified grade and attendance requirements and satisfies other criteria through the end of high school, he or she receives up to $10,000 in scholarship funding for post-secondary education.  Rotarians selected as mentors are provided with training and coaching.