North Star Deep Roots Award Winner: Expect More Tehama
This award honors a community-based organization whose work exemplifies authentic partnership, deep trust, and creative collaboration. Like the roots of a strong tree, their presence grounds and sustains the work of community schools. Their contributions nourish collective growth and reflect a long-term investment in students, families, and community well-being.
Something noteworthy is happening in Tehama County. Expect More Tehama has been working for over sixteen years to improve systems and quality of life for people living in Tehama County. Executive Director Kathy Garcia believes that expectation is hope: expecting an undergraduate degree or higher, expecting success and health as part of a thriving community. When young people grow up with the expectation that education, training, and growth are possible, they begin to believe in brighter futures. They are more likely to achieve them.
Unlike traditional service providers, Expect More Tehama doesn’t run dozens of its own programs. Instead, it acts as a thought partner and convener bringing people and organizations together to address gaps and align efforts in education, health, and workforce development. As Garcia explains, “We're coming alongside with an idea or a program that we know that one organization by itself cannot tackle alone.” As a network member of North State Together, Expect More Tehama is leading the way across the North State, assisting educational institutions and community partners. They are ensuring collaborative works shift the way we approach education and community development.
With over 12 funded community schools in their county, Expect More Tehama serves as a partner in multiple ways. Not only do they attend shared decision-making councils as a community partner, they actively shape the educational experience of students.
For example, they have written grants to provide two 28-foot trailers full of summer equipment for teens to learn about everything from healthcare to welding. Elsewhere they piloted a camp at the Tehama Department of Education bringing in experts to show teens how to work with a green screen to create their own cartoons. They were also able to work with robots and screen print their own t-shirts.
On June 12, 2025 North Star awarded Expect More Tehama The Deep Roots award reflecting their long commitment to bettering Tehama County. They were nominated by JoNell Wallace, School Mental Health & Wellness Team Coordinator for Tehama County Department of Education. According to Wallace, “I nominated them mainly for their creativity, professionalism, and attempt to elevate the work that is being done in Tehama. Their name is reflected in their mission and it shines in everything they do…respecting Tehama's history while pushing the community to expect more!”
September 2025