How Empowering Children Bay Area is Changing Lives—One Reader at a Time

In June, Empowering Children Bay Area (ECBA), a Sequoia Living program, hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate the heart of its mission: the dedicated tutors who help children learn to read and feel seen, supported, and capable.

This year's event welcomed John B. King Jr.—former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama, current Chancellor of the State University of New York, and author of Teacher by Teacher—for an unforgettable conversation with ECBA Director Paul Chilvers.

John's story is one of profound resilience, loss, and ultimately, the transformative power of education.

He shared that after losing both parents by age 12, it was school—and the teachers who created safe, nurturing environments—that became his lifeline. "School was the most stable part of my life," John said. "It made me feel close to my mom." 

In conversation, John reflected on how impactful teachers, mentors, and volunteers helped him navigate difficult years, eventually guiding him to Harvard and toward a calling in education. His message to the ECBA volunteers was deeply resonant: "I loved doing for other kids what my teachers did for me."

That's exactly what ECBA tutors do every day, offering more than just reading support to 1st- to 3rd-grade students who are falling behind. They consistently show up, building trust, joy, and confidence in children who might not receive enough one-on-one attention elsewhere.

As a Sequoia Living program, ECBA is part of a nonprofit legacy that extends beyond senior living communities. While Sequoia Living is widely known for its Bay Area retirement communities, its mission of healthy, joyful aging for all includes intergenerational work that strengthens communities. ECBA is one way that mission comes to life—by connecting older adults and other caring volunteers with young readers in 16 public schools across the Bay Area.

John emphasized the lasting impact of tutoring, especially in the wake of the pandemic. "High-quality, consistent tutoring can change a child's trajectory," John said. "It's one of the most effective interventions we have."

During the luncheon, ECBA volunteers shared thoughtful questions, many tied to the current challenges facing students, parents, and educators. In response, John offered both practical advice and a renewed sense of purpose.

He encouraged tutors and parents to focus less on worksheets and more on experiences that spark curiosity, like reading books together, visiting museums, or attending live performances. He reminded us that building background knowledge is essential to reading success. "It matters if you know things about the world," he said.

As the conversation wrapped, John shared his excitement about the national movement toward better phonics-based reading instruction, the power of empathy-building through inclusive education, and the importance of preserving the U.S. Department of Education to protect resources for the country's most vulnerable students.

For ECBA volunteers, the luncheon was both a celebration and a reaffirmation. Their one-on-one reading support is not only helping children learn to decode letters on a page—it's helping shape their futures.

If you're looking for a way to make a lasting difference in a child's life, Empowering Children Bay Area is always welcoming new volunteers. Just one hour a week can open a world of opportunity for a struggling young reader—and remind them that they are not alone.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more about Empowering Children Bay Area and how you can help build a child's future—one book at a time.