Three-year pilot program funded by the Masons of California will provide 150 students with hands-on training and industry certifications for manufacturing roles in sustainable industries.

SACRAMENTO, CA (April 23, 2025) – The Masons of California, the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative (Cal EPIC), and Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) have announced the launch of the Green Career Pathways program, a transformative new initiative designed to prepare more than 150 students from six of SCUSD’s most under-resourced high schools for high-demand careers in the manufacturing roles for clean energy and transportation technologies.

This innovative partnership will provide students with hands-on training, career certifications, and real-world experiences in green power generation, electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies, and workplace safety. At the official launch event, program leaders and supporters gathered at the California Mobility Center to unveil the program and spotlight its long-term impact on workforce development, sustainability and educational equity across Sacramento.

“We’re not just building career pathways—we’re building futures,” said Orville Thomas, CEO of Cal EPIC. “California continues to lead the way in new energy and transportation technologies, and this program will teach students the skills for long-term job opportunities in manufacturing and maintenance of clean tech.”

Addressing a Crisis Through CTE
Career and technical education (CTE) has proven to be a powerful force for change, especially for the district’s most vulnerable students. According to SCUSD data, students experiencing homelessness (SEH) who complete CTE pathways graduate at a rate of 96 percent, compared to just 68 percent of all SEH students. In fact, youth without a high school diploma are 4.5 times more likely to experience homelessness later in life, underscoring the life-changing potential of programs like Green Career Pathways.

“SCUSD is committed to preparing all students for life after graduation,” said Lisa Allen, superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District. “By aligning our district’s educational offerings with industry needs, we’re giving students the tools to break cycles of poverty and step into stable, fulfilling careers in Sacramento’s growing green energy sector.”

A Model for Workforce Readiness
The Green Career Pathways program directly responds to Sacramento’s increasing demand for skilled workers in the energy, construction, and utilities industries—the fourth-largest employment sector in the region, generating over 1,000 new jobs per year. Students will exit the program with certifications that prepare them for immediate employment, helping them avoid student debt while establishing long-term career stability.

“Today’s launch of the Green Career Pathways program is a powerful commitment to our students, our environment, and a more equitable clean energy future,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07). “Sacramento is moving forward and investing in local solutions that prepare the next generation for good-paying, climate-resilient careers so all can thrive.”

In the Sacramento region, students who complete high school with technical training can earn competitive wages in growing clean energy careers. In-demand roles include:

• Electric vehicle charging technician ($48,976)
• Natural gas mechanic ($50,986)
• Hydrogen energy system operations engineer ($84,444)

“California’s clean energy goals require a workforce that’s as diverse and resilient as the communities we serve,” said Doug Ismail, president of the California Masonic Foundation. “Career and Technical Education doesn’t just teach technical skills—it builds confidence, adaptability, and a mindset of lifelong learning. These are essential traits for navigating a changing economy. This program ensures every student—regardless of background or circumstance—has a clear path to success and the opportunity to help power California’s future.”

In addition to hands-on technical training, students will engage in soft skills development, mentorship, and career exploration through partnerships with local employers and experts. Live demonstrations during today’s launch showcased the kind of training students will receive, ranging from EV battery modules to personal protective equipment and solar technologies.

About the Masons of California
The Masons of California have more than 35,000 members and more than 330 lodges located throughout the state. It is guided by the enduring belief that everyone has the ability to make the world a better place. Through Freemasonry, members make true friends, improve themselves, and make a positive impact on our communities. The California Masonic Foundation is committed to making a profound difference in our local communities and touches the lives of thousands of Californians each year. Learn more at freemason.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Cal EPIC
Cal EPIC (California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative), formerly the California Mobility Center, works to help California achieve its climate goals and create economic opportunity by accelerating research, development, and manufacturing of new energy and transportation technologies. Cal EPIC’s workforce development programs build strong partnerships between education systems, employers, and high-growth industries to create equitable, future-focused career pathways.

About Sacramento City Unified School District
SCUSD serves nearly 40,000 students across diverse neighborhoods in California’s capital city, with a mission to ensure every student is prepared for college, career, and life.

Brand-new Farsi translation of English reading materials will help strengthen literacy skills and improve educational outcomes for newcomer students from Afghanistan.

Check out more: Hear California Masonic Foundation President Doug Ismail and Raising a Reader CEO Michelle Torgerson discuss this Farsi-language book program on Insight with Vicki Gonzalez on Sacramento’s Capitol Radio. 

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 – WEST SACRAMENTO – As part of its partnership with Raising a Reader and Washington Unified School District, the Masons of California today announced that it is funding a new program to provide bilingual books with Farsi translation for 150 young Afghan refugees currently enrolled in the Washington Unified School District in West Sacramento. That city is home of one of the largest populations of Afghan refugees in the United States.

“Imagine starting a life in a new country and not being able to communicate with your teachers and peers,” said Doug Ismail, president of the California Masonic Foundation. “As three organizations connected by their commitment to literacy, public education, and improving educational outcomes, the partnership between the Masons of California, Raising a Reader, and the Washington Unified School District leverages key resources from each entity to maximize impact on Afghan refugee students throughout the district.”

To date, 61 percent of Raising a Reader program participants read at or above grade level in first grade, compared to 43 percent statewide. These bilingual books will improve educational outcomes for newcomer Afghan refugee students who did not grow up speaking English as a first language and increase access to growth opportunities in school and beyond.

“As we launch Raising a Reader’s new Farsi collection, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that every child feels seen, supported, and valued,” said Michelle Torgerson, president and CEO of Raising a Reader. “By offering books in native languages, we help foster a love of reading and learning among children and families across the United States. This bilingual collection is particularly meaningful as it supports newly arrived Afghan families and helps build strong family connections through reading together.”

Through the partnership with Washington Unified School District, the Masons of California will bring the Farsi-translated materials to 50 classrooms across the district. In total, the Masons of California have supplied Raising a Reader materials to more than 900 classrooms across California, primarily focusing on underserved schools with below-grade-level reading scores. The organization hopes to continue expanding these partnerships, with a goal of reaching at least 1,000 classrooms throughout the state.

“With more than 2,500 students from countries outside the United States attending school in our district, it is clear that West Sacramento is seeing a rise of newcomers,” said Dr. Cheryl P. Hildreth, superintendent of Washington Unified School District. “We are grateful to Raising a Reader and the Masons of California for partnering with us to improve the educational outcomes for these students.”

In addition to its partnership with Raising a Reader, the Masons of California also support public education initiatives through their Investment in Success scholarship program, sponsorship of the California Teacher of the Year Awards, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and more. Learn more here.

About the Masons of California
Freemasonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization, guided by the enduring belief that everyone has the responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of its members by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth—within themselves and the larger world. Through Freemasonry, we make true friends, improve ourselves, and make a positive impact on our communities. The Masons of California have more than 40,000 members and more than 330 lodges located throughout the state.  The California Masonic Foundation is committed to making a profound difference in our local community, and touches the lives of thousands of Californians each year. Learn more at freemason.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Raising a Reader
Raising a Reader (RAR) is a national nonprofit that partners with parents and educators to create brighter futures for children by strengthening family bonds. For over 25 years, Raising a Reader has helped parents increase the amount of time reading with their children, which can lead to stronger reading skills. Our 40 independent evaluations consistently show that Raising a Reader increases parents reading time with their children. Independent studies show that 74 percent percent of parents or guardians reported that they or someone in their households read to their children four or more times in a week (compared to 44 percent prior to participation).

About Washington Unified School District
The Washington Unified School District (WUSD) is a public school district in West Sacramento, California that serves nearly 7,500 students in grades K-12. In the 2022 academic year, the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) proudly established the Newcomer Center, a pioneer program in West Sacramento dedicated to supporting students new to the country. This center is specifically designed for students with limited prior schooling and English language knowledge, addressing a critical need as the local and statewide population of newcomer students grows rapidly. Students in the Newcomer Center report being happier to attend school and feeling more cared for by teachers, with rates 6 percent higher than their general education peers. Additionally, attendance rates at the Newcomer Center were 4 percent higher than the district average.

The Masons of California, Center for Family Math, Raising a Reader, PowerMyLearning, and Partnership for Los Angeles Schools Collaborate to Bring Multilingual and Technology-Based Materials for Math Learning to Families.

LOS ANGELES – March 14, 2025 – The Masons of California, in partnership with the Center for Family Math, Raising a Reader, PowerMyLearning and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, today announced the approval of a three-year, $968,000 investment to improve math outcomes for young students.

The initiative, which funds a range of family math engagement programs and resources, will support 1,000 transitional kindergarten through second grade students attending high-need schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools works to accelerate student achievement. This initiative aims to bridge math opportunity gaps and ensure all students build a strong foundation in mathematics. The effort brings together several community partners working toward these ends through a combination of classroom-based instructional supports and family engagement strategies.

“Through this partnership, our organizations have united to fulfill our shared mission of advancing public education and making educational opportunities accessible to students of all backgrounds,” said Doug Ismail, president of the California Masonic Foundation. “When families are given the tools to get involved in their child’s education, students succeed—period. Together, we will provide the resources to do just that.”

Leveraging a combination of age-appropriate, math-focused books and games, multilingual guides, play-based math activities, and virtual parent and educator workshops, the investment empowers families by giving them the tools they need to engage with their child’s math education and ensure all students reach their full potential in mathematics.

“At the Center for Family Math, we envision a world where family math advances educational equity for each and every child,” said Holly Kreider, director of the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement’s Center for Family Math. “Our job is to bring together all the innovative learning resources our partners offer into an interactive, actionable home learning program that involves the whole family in helping students achieve positive outcomes in their mathematical education.”

According to the 2023-24 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CASPP) results, only about one-third of California students are proficient or advanced in math; and, this rate is much lower for Black (17 percent), Hispanic (23 percent) and low-income (23 percent) students. Research suggests that early family engagement can significantly boost children’s math achievements, with families who foster “math talk,” high expectations, and joint activities at home positively influencing their children’s math skills and attitudes. The family

engagement resources provided through this initiative will work to do the same, improving educational outcomes and increasing access to growth opportunities across LAUSD.

“On a global scale, the United States ranks 25th in math literacy and opportunity gaps continue to widen, especially for historically marginalized students,” said Dr. Arun Ramanathan, CEO of PowerMyLearning. “We are excited to expand access to our evidence-based programs, including Family Playlists^®, to help students strengthen math discourse, build confidence, and develop critical problem-solving skills. Together with our partners, we will provide Los Angeles families, educators, and district leaders with the tools they need to create joyful, engaging math experiences that drive long-term student success.”

Designed to reach families, classroom teachers, and other school personnel, this three-year initiative will unite resources from each partner into a comprehensive family engagement program that brings the joy and power of math into everyday activities. Specifically, Raising a Reader will provide 1,000 families with math-themed books, games, and guides. At the same time, PowerMyLearning will bring its Family Playlists—play-based “learning by teaching” math activities aligned with classroom curricula—to 1,000 students along with targeted professional learning for teachers to support implementation. The Center for Family Math will curate resources and offer professional learning opportunities to help districts emphasize the importance of family math.

“For 25 years, Raising a Reader has been a national leader in early literacy and family engagement. When families and caregivers are actively involved in learning, children thrive,” said Michelle Torgerson, president and CEO of Raising a Reader. “We’re proud to partner with the Center for Family Math, PowerMyLearning, the Masons of California, and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools to provide families with the tools they need to support early math development for students in Los Angeles Unified.”

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which supports 20 LAUSD schools, has long worked to strengthen math instruction by ensuring teachers have access to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), professional development, and coaching for effective implementation. This new initiative builds on that foundation by expanding support beyond the classroom, equipping families with resources to reinforce math learning at home through problem-solving activities and “math talk” in everyday life. By bridging school-based instruction with at-home learning, the program fosters a culture of mathematical literacy, reinforcing essential skills that prepare students for sustained academic and professional achievement.

“Building early math skills is essential for long-term academic success, and family engagement is a powerful driver in that process,” said Guadalupe Guerrero, CEO of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. “This initiative ensures educators have the support they need in the classroom while empowering families with the tools to reinforce learning at home. We are excited to work alongside our partners to create meaningful impact for our students and their families.”

In addition to its partnership with Raising a Reader, the Masons of California also support public education initiatives through their Investment in Success scholarship program, sponsorship of the California Teacher of the Year Awards, support of career and technical education (CTE) programs, and more. Learn more here.