Sierra School of Alhambra and CALIF Unite for Stop the Hate Initiative

Sierra School of Alhambra launched a partnership with CALIF, a nonprofit that provides advocacy and services for people with disabilities in Los Angeles County. Together, they focused on the theme “Stop the Hate,” an initiative to promote non-discrimination, inclusion, and kindness across our school community.

Students Lead the Way with Poster Campaigns for the Stop the Hate Initiative

As part of the Stop the Hate initiative, students in all grades are creating posters with messages that encourage acceptance and positivity. Each classroom’s teacher will select student ambassadors to present their posters. These students will not only share their own work but also serve as peer leaders, bringing CALIF’s messages back to their classmates and helping guide the creation of additional posters or campaigns across campus.

The ambassadors will meet with CALIF’s outreach team to present their posters, explain their messages, and bring lessons back to their peers. The school will display the posters on campus as a daily reminder of empathy and inclusivity.

A Decade of Partnership Between Sierra and CALIF

The school’s relationship with CALIF began nearly 10 years ago when they first supported Sierra School of Alhambra’s high school students with mock interviews, professional clothing, and transportation to job opportunities. Over the years, the partnership has grown to include all grade levels, K-12, with CALIF tailoring their outreach to meet the needs of the school’s diverse student body.

“CALIF’s mission aligns directly with our goal of equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed in life while cultivating an inclusive, welcoming environment,” said Sal Ramirez, associate director at Sierra School of Alhambra.

Building Long-Term Impact and Leadership Skills

The poster project is just the start. CALIF plans to visit biweekly, learn about the student community, and design future projects and lessons. CALIF’s advocacy work includes housing, benefits, employment services, peer counseling, assistive technology, and independent living skills training. 

Promoting Inclusion and Empathy Through Action

“Our hope is that students walk away with leadership skills, confidence in sharing their ideas, and the ability to collaborate around a common purpose,” said Ramirez. “Partnering with CALIF reminds our community that inclusivity, empathy, and kindness are values we must practice every day.”