Bridging Opportunity in Rural California: Klamath River and Corning Promise Neighborhoods
The California Promise Neighborhood Network (CPNN) is transforming communities across the state by addressing long-standing disparities in education, health, and economic stability. Among its diverse portfolio, two rural Promise Neighborhoods stand out: Klamath River Promise and Corning Promise (Everett Freeman Promise) Neighborhoods. These initiatives bring the nationally recognized Promise Neighborhood model to underserved rural regions, offering truly unique place-based strategies to improve outcomes for children and families.
Klamath River Promise Neighborhood
Klamath River Promise Neighborhood, rooted in Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties, works to improve education and career outcomes for youth in one of California’s most remote regions. The initiative emphasizes early literacy programs, college readiness, and workforce development, ensuring that students—particularly those from Indigenous backgrounds—have equitable opportunities to thrive. A notable achievement is the Klamath River Early Learning Initiative, which has expanded preschool access and introduced culturally relevant curricula to support Native learners.
Additionally, the Promise Neighborhood has focused on mental health support, recognizing the impact of historical trauma on Indigenous youth. By integrating mental health services into schools and offering trauma-informed care, Klamath Promise is paving the way for healthier, more resilient communities.
Corning Promise (Everett Freeman Promise Neighborhood)
The Corning Promise (Everett Freeman Promise Neighborhood), in collaboration with patterning organizations, have made remarkable progress in improving student outcomes and overcoming systemic barriers to educational success in rural California. Led by local schools and community partners, Corning Promise provides a continuum of solutions, including supporting positive parenting programs, recreation activities, attendance improvement initiatives, no-cost school-based therapy services, rural service integration, Career Technical Education (CTE) optimization, and other solutions that are creating conditions for children to success. Data from the state’s web-based data reporting system shows the partnering high school district has maintained its high school graduation rates at 94% for two consecutive years. One of Corning Promise’s standout initiative, investment is a district initiative focused on optimizing existing career technical education (CTE) pathways, which is helping high school students prepare for postsecondary education and vocational opportunities. The project is focused focused on system alignment through articulation of courses with colleges, building capacity of educators, increasing learning opportunities through work-based learning and job shadow days and engaging in activities leading to economic mobility and educational success.
How the Promise Neighborhood Model Works for Rural Communities
Rural communities face unique challenges, but they also have unique strengths. While access to services, healthcare, and economic opportunities can be a challenge, rural communities know how to build dynamic systems of support across with limited resources across vast geographical areas. The Promise Neighborhood model is particularly effective because it fosters cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that tribal governments, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and community organizations work in tandem to provide programs and wraparound services for children and families. In places like Klamath River and Corning, this model serves as a lifeline for long-term community transformation.
A Future Built on Community Strength
Both Corning Promise and Klamath River Promise Neighborhood demonstrate how place-based, community-driven strategies can create lasting change in rural areas. By leveraging local leadership and resources, and delivering tailored support systems, these initiatives are not only improving individual outcomes, but ensuring stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.
CPNN commits to highlighting the remarkable work and wisdom of California’s rural Promise Neighborhoods. Stay connected to learn more about Corning Promise (Everett Freeman Promise) and Klamath Promise Neighborhoods.