Imagine what could happen if the leaders of tomorrow began developing the skills, confidence, and vision for service today.

As Canvasback Missions enters its 45th year of service, we are stepping into an exciting new chapter called Rooted Future. This initiative expands our impact by connecting young people in the Bay Area with communities across the Pacific, strengthening leadership locally while deepening global engagement.

Rooted Future builds on Canvasback’s legacy of service while investing boldly in the next generation of changemakers.

What Is Rooted Future?

Rooted Future is Canvasback’s youth leadership and service program.
It partners with high school students in Oakland to build skills, purpose, and confidence through mentorship, hands-on learning, and community action.

We believe meaningful change begins when young people are equipped early with both practical skills and a sense of responsibility to their communities.

Our Focus Areas

Rooted Future develops young leaders through three integrated areas:

• Impact Career Readiness
  Students explore service-oriented careers in healthcare, education, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy while building real-world skills like resume writing, interviewing, and professional communication.

• Leadership & Community Action
  Students identify issues in their neighborhoods and take action through weekly service projects, partnerships with local organizations, and quarterly community events. Along the way, they develop public speaking, collaboration, decision-making, and project leadership skills.

• Social Emotional Learning
  Students grow not only as future professionals, but as confident advocates and leaders. Through mentorship and guided reflection, they build self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence—skills essential for navigating complex environments and creating lasting impact in their careers and communities.

Local Roots. Global Perspective.

During the school year, Rooted Future operates weekly clubs in Oakland high schools, where dedicated staff and mentors work closely with students.

During summer and school breaks, students have the opportunity to travel with Canvasback Super Teams to Micronesia. There, they serve alongside experienced professionals and community partners, gaining global perspective while contributing to long-standing community initiatives.

Why This Matters Now

Rooted Future was born from a simple insight: the challenges facing communities in Oakland and Micronesia are different, yet deeply connected.

As Joshua Gaines, our Program Director shared:

“Rooted Future brings together two worlds that rarely meet. When young people see their communities as part of a larger global story, they begin to lead with purpose, confidence, and responsibility.”

This expansion allows Canvasback to double its impact, supporting young leaders in Oakland while strengthening partnerships across the Pacific.

Help Us Double the Impact

The work is already underway. Students are engaged. Programs are growing. Teams are preparing for the year ahead.

To sustain and expand this vision through 2026, we need your partnership.

Your support helps:

• Expand youth programming in Oakland
• Provide mentorship and career readiness resources
• Sustain service projects locally and internationally

Together, we can double the changed lives.