CTE Foundation News & Updates

Built to Last: 80 Years of Friedman’s Home Improvement

For 80 years, Friedman’s Home Improvement has done more than sell lumber and hardware. We sat down with third-generation owner Barry Friedman to talk about family, trust and why investing in Sonoma County’s next generation of builders is, in his words, “in our blood.” Authored by Malloy Schaffner, Marketing & Communications Manager Benny and Joe Friedman stand outside the original Friedman Bros.

July 15, 2026 No Comments

How an Internship Helped Me Discover My Potential.

Rosy Avendaño and her supervisor, Teresita Madrigal, pose with Santa Rosa Community Health’s Certificate of Recognition at the Path to Purpose Employer Celebration on June 11, 2026. By Rosy Avendaño A year ago, I never would have imagined myself writing an opinion piece for CTE Foundation, or any organization. I was quiet. I avoided speaking in class whenever I could. Even though

July 15, 2026 No Comments

A Season of Powerful Change – Our 2025-2026 Year in Review

Happy summer! One year ago, I joined CTE Foundation as Executive Director. Having a front row seat to witness the remarkable work this team does is inspiring, and I’m proud to share some of what we accomplished this spring. But before I get into the numbers, I want to say something about the people behind them. Working in Sonoma County means working alongside people who show up; for kids, for

July 15, 2026 No Comments

What Happens When Local Industry Opens Its Doors to Students?

Authored by Andriana Du Pree, Director of Development & Marketing Last year at CTE Foundation’s annual event, Spark the Future, we offered a live auction item that centered around a student-designed and student-supported dinner experience. Mark and Terri Stark, owners of Stark Reality Restaurants, placed the winning bid. But instead of simply receiving the experience, Mark and Terri came back with a

May 28, 2026 No Comments

Innovation in Action: Reimagining the Student Experience Together

Authored by Eli Weinzveg, Executive Director At its core, an intermediary is a connector. The role can be complicated and nuanced and sometimes feels like trying to plan a simple Saturday with friends. One person wants to spend the afternoon wine tasting in Healdsburg, another wants fish tacos out at Bodega Bay, someone else refuses to drive over Highway 12 after noon, and somehow you

May 28, 2026 No Comments

Who Will Care for Sonoma County’s Future Patients?

Authored by Jolene Pighini, Student Success Advisor, and Malloy Schaffner, Marketing & Communications Manager On May 16, 26 students crossed the stage at Fox Pacific Academy, marking the completion of their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and the beginning of something much bigger: a future in healthcare in Sonoma County. For many graduates, this program represented their first step into the healthcare field. For some,

May 28, 2026 No Comments

Merari G’s Sports Medicine Journey

When Merari enrolled in her Sports Medicine class at Analy High School, she had no idea the impact it would have on her future. She was passionate about helping people, but she didn’t know where to start, or what was possible. “I had no idea this career was even an option for me.” Merari shared. “This class taught me so much and opened doors

January 5, 2026 No Comments

Sutter Health and CTE Foundation Partner to Strengthen Health Career Pathways for Sonoma and Lake County Students

Not-for-profit Sutter Health and Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation Sonoma County are proud to announce a new partnership, supported financially through a County Medical Services Program (CMSP) grant, to strengthen education-to-career pathways in Health Sciences for students in Sonoma and Lake Counties. The $250,000 investment is part of Sutter Health’s NextGen Scholars Workforce Development Program, which aims to establish and expand the

December 2, 2025 No Comments

Inclusive By Design: Five Key Strategies for Inclusion and Belonging

On November 7, 2025, in partnership with Beyond Equity in Education, CTE Foundation hosted Inclusive By Design, a workshop for employers and mentors focused on creating internships where all students feel welcomed, supported and empowered to thrive. Internships are powerful tools for helping students explore careers, gain real-world skills, and discover their purpose – but only when students feel included and valued.

November 24, 2025 No Comments

From Uncertainty to Possibility: The Emerging Story of Elsie Allen

What can happen when we stop asking what’s wrong and start asking what’s possible? By Leslie Simmons, Vice President, Impact & Investments at CTE Foundation and Dr. Robert Curtis, Educational Consultant For over a decade, Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation has been the connective tissue helping Sonoma County students turn aspiration into opportunity. We partner with schools like Santa Rosa City Schools,

November 13, 2025 No Comments