Photo source: Canal Alliance
This story was also featured in the Marin Independent Journal on April 14, 2025. Read the article here.
Local leaders, community organizations, and schools have come together to launch a new planning process aimed at creating better opportunities for children and families in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael.
The Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan is a community-driven effort to build a shared vision for improving education, health, and economic well-being in the Canal, now and for generations to come.
“The Canal is one of San Rafael’s most vibrant and resilient neighborhoods. By working in partnership with local organizations and residents, we have an opportunity to not only address immediate needs, but also build a healthier, more prosperous future for the entire community. The Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan reflects our city’s commitment to equity, shared responsibility, and enhancing the quality of life for all.”
The Canal is a predominantly Latino immigrant community that has long faced systemic challenges, including housing shortages, environmental risks, and gaps in educational and economic opportunity. This new effort brings public agencies, nonprofits, and residents together to align existing work and ensure families receive the support they need in ways that reflect the neighborhood’s priorities and strengths.
On Monday, March 24, a newly formed Steering Committee met for the first time to kick off the six-month planning process. Every invited member was present and committed to a shared vision. Members include:
“We know that student success doesn't begin and end in the classroom. A child’s ability to learn is deeply connected to their experiences at home and in the community. We’re proud to be part of the Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan so the partners can support and boost the work our talented and dedicated teachers and staff are doing everyday so every student can reach their full potential.”
“To achieve systemic change, we must empower those most impacted to reshape the very arrangements that affect their lives. Through Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro, we're not just creating space for residents to share their vision, but to actively redesign the structures and narratives that define their neighborhood. This resident-led approach challenges existing paradigms and builds new, equitable systems for the Canal.”
The planning process is being supported by funding from The Aspen Institute and Marin Community Foundation, and coordinated by Marin Promise Partnership (MPP), a local collaborative focused on equity in education. MPP will guide the work using a data-driven process called Results-Based Accountability to support the Steering Committee in setting shared goals and measuring their progress over time.
“Where you grow up shouldn't determine your future, but too often it does. That’s why we are working in partnership with residents and system leaders to address the root causes of academic disparities. By aligning efforts across education, housing, health, and economic development, we’re not just building better support systems for families, but also strengthening civic trust and laying the foundation for generational change.”
The next major milestone will be the Partnership Summit on May 2, 2025, at Albert J. Boro Community Center, where community partners and local leaders will gather to share updates and help shape the plan. The following day, community members are invited to the Nuestro Canal, Nuestro Futuro Community Fair (Saturday, May 3, from 12 PM to 4 PM) to explore community priorities, connect with local resources, and help envision the future of the Canal.
While this planning effort is focused on the Canal, it’s part of a bigger vision for Marin. The lessons and strategies from this process will help guide similar efforts in communities like Marin City, Novato, West Marin, where families are also working hard to overcome barriers and build brighter futures.
The Canal Promise Neighborhood Plan is part of a growing movement across California to invest in local, community-led solutions. These collaborative efforts would be supported by state proposals like the It Takes a Village Act Budget Request, which would help communities plan together for a stronger, more equitable future.
