Empowerment Through Action

Empowerment Through Action (ETA) is a program that supports over 200 of Hillsdale’s historically underserved students. Now, Empowerment Through Action will expand to other schools in San Mateo and Foster City. The program consists of wellness groups, tutoring, enrichment activities, job and career training, parent education, a community closet, and a food pantry. The mission of ETA, launched in the Spring of 2018, is to close the opportunity gap and foster belonging for our students to enhance achievement in the following areas: social and emotional growth, academic growth, development of self-confidence and inner capital, social connection, and job and internship placement.

The pilot Empowerment Through Action (ETA) program at Hillsdale High School (HHS) was initiated during the 2018-19 school year through a $30,000 SMUHSD Innovation Grant. Designed by teachers and other education professionals at Hillsdale High School, ETA started by identifying the needs of students who are the first generation in their family to either graduate from high school or go to college, are living below the poverty line, and are from historically underserved groups, predominantly Latinx and African American students. ETA began with informal mentoring groups for 60 students during the school day, led by 12 school staff, and by the 2025-26 school year had expanded to providing wrap-around support to 224 students and their families, through the efforts of 30 school staff and more than 200 volunteers. In July 2024, ETA incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run by an independent board.

What makes ETA unique is that it provides sustained, wrap-around support to students both during and after the school day, delivered by an integrated team of school staff and volunteers from the extended school community. Educators at each school are trained in trauma literacy and restorative practices, enabling them to lead ETA’s three core programs: mentoring, after-school tutoring, and pre/post-high school transition support. Educators participating in ETA work with a group of students during their entire journey through middle or high school. Consistent relationships between ETA educators and students build trust, increase ownership and retention of both staff and students, and allow rapid response to crises experienced by students. ETA support directly improves educational outcomes of participating students. ETA also leverages school district facilities to be used as a safe, welcoming space for ETA students. ETA complements, but does not duplicate, Tier 2 and Tier 3 support.