Rise Up Industries
Rise Up Industries supports formerly gang involved and at-risk individuals in their quest for a better, more meaningful life. They extend a rich array of services that not only counsel participants, but also provide opportunities for personal and professional advancement. Modeled after Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest, most successful gang intervention and reentry program, Rise Up Industries is a community of kinship that believes in boundless compassion and standing with the most marginalized among us, formerly gang-involved and incarcerated individuals.
The Parker Foundation is pleased to have supported Rise Up Industries since 2015, investing $52,500 for its Post-Detention Reentry Center and Pilot Reentry Program, as well as expanding the Machine Shop Social Enterprise, which trains former gang involved individuals to be Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machine operators, a well-paying trade in high demand.
Traveling Stories
Traveling Stories believes that every child should have the opportunity to fall in love with reading. Founded in 2010, Traveling Stories wanted to provide a program for at-risk kids that would not only help them learn to read, but also help them fall in love with reading. In 2011, Traveling Stories created the StoryTent: a mobile literacy program that provides one-on-one reading support and motivational incentives to kids. For every book read, kids earn a Book Buck, which can be redeemed for prizes. This keeps the kids excited and motivated to learn, as well as teaches them money management skills. The weekly StoryTent program model was developed using research on the
positive impacts of reading with children in a safe, nurturing environment and designed to engage children in a way that is appealing, beneficial, and fun. The goal is to provide children the opportunity to read books outside of a school setting in order to experience the joy of reading and the mission of Traveling Stories is to empower kids to outsmart poverty by providing the literacy and money management skills they need to become productive members of society.
David’s Harp Foundation
It is the mission of David’s Harp Foundation “to inspire, educate and empower system affect and homeless youth to achieve academic success through music education, sound engineering and multimedia production.”
David’s Harp Foundation serves at-risk youth who are referred by various social service organizations (SDYS Storefront Emergency Teen Shelter, Monarch School, Voices for Children), school districts, San Diego Probation Department, and other agencies in San Diego County that share the Foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of young people who are full of potential but lacking mentorship or access to reach that potential.
DHF is serving youth during the critical hours when youth violence, drug use, and other delinquent behaviors are most likely to occur. DHF is providing long-term solutions to these behaviors through: (1) mentorship and academic accountability; (2) providing a safe haven and creative space to form positive relationships; (3) new skills in music production, audio engineering, photography and video creation; (4) academic support, practical job training and transferable entrepreneurial and business skills; and (5) a sense of opportunity, accomplishment and hope for the future. A recent YouTube Video was produced that depicts the positive impact DHF has on our community.
In 2017, with a grant of $20,000, The Parker Foundation was a lead supporter of DHF.
“In 2017, we were at a tipping point as an organization. We had developed a powerful platform to build mentoring relationships with “at-risk” youth and were impacting the community, but we were having a hard time finding organizations in the philanthropic community to invest in our operating expenses. The Parker Foundation empowered us to hire our first Full-time employee and as a result, we have doubled our program capacity from 140 youth in 2017, to 331 youth in just two years. As a young leader in this community, I am truly grateful that Parker Foundation recognized the potential in our vision and decided to invest in the youth that we serve. ”
-Brandon Steppe
Founder/Executive Director
The David’s Harp Foundation
Learn more about David’s Harp Foundation 
Starlings Volleyball Clubs
Starlings Volleyball Clubs, USA was founded in 1996 at Lincoln High in Southeast San Diego. From a team of ten girls, the organization has grown to over 1800 players across the nation. Last June, 119 teams gathered in San Diego for the 20th annual Starlings National Championships.
Starlings mission is to give every girl a chance to play. Club volleyball has always been one of the most expensive club sports, and the prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Starlings is a proven concept that has helped thousands of girls over the past 22 years. Hundreds of Starlings have earned college scholarships, while countless Starlings have returned to their communities after college to volunteer their time as coaches and mentors. Starlings offers young girls the opportunity to learn and grow in a positive teaching environment. Girls experience both local and national competition. Most importantly, Starlings programs reinforce the 3 R’s– Respect, Responsibility, and Relationships. Before each San Diego tournament, the players gather to hear a story of success from an accomplished San Diego woman. Coaches then refer to these lessons as they teach the girls about enthusiasm, teamwork, and persistence.
Recently, the San Diego Union-Tribune published this article about the club: San Diego Union-Tribune
Currently, there are ten different clubs in San Diego. With a $20,000 grant from The Parker Foundation, Starlings will be able to increase the number of clubs in San Diego by 50%.
Well done, Starlings!
