The Strengthening Communities program is intended to improve the well being of individuals and families living in distressed neighborhoods. Grants aim to strengthen the social fabric of communities through support of efforts that foster local capacity building, resident participation in decision-making and community improvement efforts, and stronger neighborhood institutions and community organizations. The Foundation recognizes that an informed and active citizenry is essential for building and sustaining vibrant communities that address the needs of all residents, and nowhere is the need for resident participation more critical than in our schools. Public schools represent a powerful vehicle for gathering people together, and family involvement plays a direct and critical role in student success. By mobilizing parents who reflect the full diversity of our communities, effective parent engagement projects can improve educational outcomes for children and build both strong public schools and healthier, more vital communities. Examples of recent grants in the Strengthening Communities Program: Oakland Community Organizations - Small Schools Initiative is a multi-year organizing project that aims to improve academic outcomes for youth, facilitate parent and community involvement, and bring about sustainable school reform through the creation of "small schools" in the Oakland Unified School District. Active Voice - The New Americans Supporting Families Project is a media-based training program that provides technical assistance and customized resources and training materials designed to help public school teachers and administrators work more effectively with the Bay Area s growing population of immigrant and refugee children, youth, and their families. Action Alliance for Children - Parents Leading the Way Toward Stronger Communities for Children brought together 170 parent leaders and staff members from diverse organizations to a two-day conference aimed at developing parents as effective leaders in schools and other policy arenas, and at increasing the capacity of nonprofit parent leadership and engagement programs. Hawthorne Community Resource Center - Parent Leadership and Engagement Program strives to improve the educational outcomes for students at Hawthorne Elementary School by collaborating with the school to increase parent involvement, develop parent leadership, and create a family-friendly school environment. Lina Avidan, Program Executive Related publications.