Folsom’s Hope: Breaking Generational Poverty Through Youth Mentoring, Meals & After-School Programs

#nonprofit #leadership #education #afterschoolprogram #mentorship #tutoring #school #partnership #volunteer #academicsuccess #communityimpact #students #support #development #podcast In this episode of The Nonprofit Podcast Network, I talk with Salwa Kasabian of Folsom’s Hope, a nonprofit organization serving students and families in Folsom through after-school support, mentoring, academic enrichment, meals, summer programming, and meaningful community partnerships. What started nearly 18 years ago with one parent recognizing an unmet need at Theodore Judah Elementary School has grown into a powerful community-based model supporting elementary, middle school, and high school students. Folsom’s Hope provides programs like Lunch Buddy Mentoring, STARS Afterschool, academic intervention, social-emotional learning, and family support for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. In a community where some schools do not qualify for traditional Title I funding, Folsom’s Hope helps bridge the gap for vulnerable youth by creating safe, structured, and caring spaces after school — the critical hours when kids need support most. Salwa shares how partnerships with Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Twin Lakes Food Bank, City of Folsom Parks and Recreation, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento State, local churches, volunteers, donors, and community organizations make this work possible. This conversation is about more than after-school care. It’s about education equity, youth mentoring, breaking cycles of generational poverty, nonprofit collaboration, community support, and giving every child the opportunity to be seen, supported, and heard. Learn more about Folsom’s Hope: Website: https://folsomshope.org Facebook:   / folsomshope   Instagram:   / folsomshope   00:00 Welcome to Folsom’s Hope 01:10 How Salwa Kasabian First Saw the Need in Folsom Schools 04:05 The Beginning of Lunch Buddy Mentoring 07:20 Why Folsom Students Needed After-School Support 10:40 No Title I Funding and the Hidden Gap in Folsom 14:30 Growing Folsom’s Hope Into a Full Student Support Program 18:15 STARS Afterschool, Middle School Support, and High School Interns 22:45 How Students and Families Find Folsom’s Hope 26:00 Community Partnerships: Schools, Food Bank, Colleges, Churches, and Volunteers 33:30 Funding the Mission and Expanding Capacity 35:10 What Folsom’s Hope Could Do With Greater Support 39:30 Beyond the Mission: Getting to Know Salwa Kasabian 41:00 How to Support, Volunteer, or Donate to Folsom’s Hope 43:00 Closing Thoughts: Education, Opportunity, and Hope for Students Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.