INTRODUCTION
Established in 2007, the FACES for the Future at St. Rose Hospital program (FACES St. Rose), located in Hayward, CA, is a two-year program which motivates and prepares underrepresented youth for entry into careers in all areas of the health professions. Partnering with the Eden Area Regional Occupations Program in Hayward, FACES provides high school students with unique opportunities to learn from healthcare professionals in various hospital settings and explore career options in the health professions. Additionally, students benefit from academic enrichment opportunities, including individualized tutoring and college preparation activities, leadership training, and multi-faceted psychosocial support services, including one-on-one case management. The program also provides support to alumni by assisting them with job/internship placements, academic/career guidance and ongoing life coaching.
Our proven leadership methods encourage students to meet their achievement goals beginning in high school. FACES St. Rose students are able to put “principals into practice” by becoming involved in community events throughout the county that promote healthy lifestyles and positive social change.
PROGRAM
Health Careers Exploration
- Clinical and non-clinical rotations at St. Rose Hospital in a wide range of departments.
- Exposure to one-on-one relationships with Rotation Supervisors who provide support, guidance and hands-on training.
- Interactive workshops and field trips designed to further immerse students in the health professions.
- Interaction with health professionals who regularly present during classroom workshops to enhance healthcare preparatory curricula.
Academic Support and Enrichment
- Health careers preparatory curriculum at Eden Area Regional Occupation Program, covering topics such as clinical skills, ethics and confidentiality, hospital safety, infection control/Standard Precautions, communication skills, legal considerations, medical terminology.
- Individualized academic and career support to high school students via one-on-one advising and tutoring.
- College tours and partnerships with local colleges to place students in college-based programs and college preparation workshops.
- College pathways support in helping search for college, apply and receive financial aid.
Wellness Support and Psycho-Social Intervention
- A Psycho-social Program focusing on counseling and education.
- Licensed Family Therapists and Licensed Social Workers who provide ongoing case management and referrals when needed.
- Individualized Life Coaching and academic plans.
- Strong commitment to engaging parents and families in all aspects of the FACES program via parent meetings and phone conferences.
Youth Leadership Development
- Regular personal growth workshops focused on experiential learning about self-advocacy, assertive communication, healthy and unhealthy relationships, stress management, and other relevant topics.
- Team building activities and support experiences.
- Working with and supporting youth to seek out leadership opportunities in FACES as well as their schools and neighborhoods.
- Volunteerism at health fairs and other community events.
LEADERSHIP
Carlos Hernández, Lead Program Coordinator
Carlos R. Hernández Martínez (he/him/él) is the Lead Program Coordinator for FACES for the Future San Francisco. He is an alumnus of the original FACES for the Future program that began in Oakland, California. After graduating from the FACES program in 2011, he went on to study at UC Berkeley on a full scholarship. He ultimately obtained his bachelors of arts degree in Spanish and Portuguese with a minor in Education.
Carlos has extensive experience within youth-centered education and career development spaces in the health field. His passions include helping youth visualize their dreams, actualize their potential, and achieve their goals. He has dedicated 10+ years to fulfilling this passion through education access advocacy, college success coaching, career development, and mentorship. This has been guided by his own first-hand experience pursuing higher education and employment having started out as a first-generation undocumented student from Deep East Oakland, originally from Nezahualcóyotl, México.
He got his start in career development and education as a student himself, serving as UC Berkeley’s first ever undocumented peer academic advisor through EOP and the Undocumented Student Program. He has since returned to his alma mater Life Academy of Health and Bioscience as a Spanish teacher for Native Spanish Speakers, an Academic Adviser for DCAC/EAOP, and most recently Academic Counseling Coordinator for the Community Health & Adolescent Mentoring Program for Success at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. He has committed his entire career to promoting the individualized success of under-resourced, first-generation youth and young adults not only in his community of the San Francisco Bay Area but also internationally. Carlos served as an international ambassador for the Mexican government this past Summer of 2023, which allowed him to speak at multiple universities with the purpose of shedding light on the experience of pursuing higher education and health careers as a Dreamer.
Carlos is also a dedicated husband and father of two who enjoys spending his free time with his family. His core values include: honor, integrity, compassion, respect, humility, and resiliency.
CONTACT
Carlos Hernández
FACES for the Future, San Francisco
Phone:(510) 593-0845
Email: chernandezmartinez@phi.org