Raising Shasta

Our History

Raising Shasta, formerly known as Pathways to Hope for Children, serves as an umbrella organization for a wide range of initiatives throughout Shasta County. Our work includes community outreach, youth development, family support, and child abuse prevention education and awareness.

Our story began in November 1987, when the Legislature mandated the creation of an entity dedicated to preventing and intervening early in abusive behaviors toward children. This led to the founding of the Shasta County Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council.

In 2024, Raising Shasta merged with Catalyst Mentoring, allowing us to expand our reach and impact. Together, we now offer mentorship programs, educational support, life skills training, and enhanced community outreach opportunities.

At the heart of our mission and vision is the belief that we can prevent child abuse and neglect before they occur. To achieve this, Raising Shasta’s Board of Directors has identified five key strategies:

1. Coordinate public and private child abuse prevention efforts throughout Shasta County.

2. Enhance opportunities that strengthen families and communities.

3. Provide public education and professional development on child abuse, neglect, and prevention.

4. Advocate for improved and expanded quality services for prevention and treatment.

5. Collaborate with local, regional, and state organizations to advance shared goals.

Our Vision: We envision a community where every child is valued, nurtured, and safeguarded, reaching their full potential through collective and compassionate community action.

Our Mission: At Raising Shasta, we are committed to fostering a local culture that cherishes and supports all children and families, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Parent Success Story: A mom was referred to Raising Shasta while facing a stressful custody process and trying to keep her child safe. With the support of her Parent Partner, she filed for emergency custody, attended multiple court hearings, and secured supervised visits to protect her child.

Once immediate safety was in place, she began focusing on rebuilding stability. She found childcare, enrolled her son in a school within their district, and set new goals for her family and her future. Today, she is doing incredibly well. She is completing her massage therapist license, working toward full custody, and building financial independence with confidence.

Your support helps parents like her find safety, stability, and a path forward.

Teen Success Story: James first came to Camp HOPE carrying more weight than any child should. He was unsure of what to expect, but year after year he found a place where he felt supported, seen, and encouraged to grow.

He pushed himself through challenge by choice activities, opened up during resilience circles, and discovered confidence he did not know he had. Camp HOPE became the turning point where he learned he was not alone and that his voice mattered.

Now that he has aged out as a camper, James is returning as a counselor. He is ready to encourage younger campers, share his story, and pass on the hope that helped shape him.

Your support helps teens like James find healing, confidence, and a future filled with possibility.

*Name has been changed to protect youth identity