About EduCare

For More Than 35 Years, 
We Have Championed a Whole-child Approach to Education

Our history of success started with recognizing that social and emotional development is essential to academic success.

Since EduCare’s founding, the organization has impacted more than 500,000 students and trained thousands of parents and educators.

35k+
students supported
annually
170+
schools across
Southern California
500k
students impacted
since founding

Our History

From a Single School
to a Statewide Movement

1990 Founded

Founded in 1990 by former President and Co-Founders Stu Semigran and Candace Semigran, EduCare began with the Achievement and Commitment to Excellence (ACE) Program at a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) middle school—an early model for what is now widely known as social-emotional learning (SEL), character education, and trauma-informed teaching.

2026 Today

Today, in partnership with LAUSD, Birmingham Community Charter HS, Vaughn NCLC, Green Dot Public School, and Lynwood Unified School District, EduCare delivers SEL support services, before and afterschool and summer programs, leadership development, STEM enrichment, and college access initiatives that help students build confidence, develop essential life skills, and reach their full potential.

Who We Are

Mission

To inspire and empower young people to become responsible global citizens, courageous and compassionate leaders, and to live their dreams.

Vision

A world where love is the foundation of education, joyful & compassionate learning communities empower youth for success in school and in life.

Values

Our values have remained steady since EduCare began.
They continue to be relevant and support our strategic efforts going forward.

  • Young people are our future
    We invest wisely
  • Every person is valuable
    We honor our uniqueness
  • Everyone makes a difference
    We all contribute individually and in partnership
  • Care for yourself and others
    We demonstrate compassion and generosity
  • We build community
    We are stronger together than as individuals
  • Trust and be trustworthy
    We are honest and respectful
  • Use everything for upliftment, learning, and growth
    We look for the opportunity
  • We teach what we live
    We live with integrity
  • Love is the answer
    We serve with love as our foundation

Our Team

The Heart Behind
EduCare's Impact

At EduCare, our team is the driving force behind our mission and the embodiment of our Heartset® Education approach. Made up of dedicated educators, mentors, leaders, and changemakers, our staff leads with empathy, authenticity, and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.

View Our Team

Program Locations

Serving Communities
Across Southern California

Supporters & Partners

A Powerful Network
Advancing Student Success

Together, we strengthen academic achievement, social-emotional growth, expanded learning, and whole-child success across the communities we serve.

Championed by
Generous Supporters

Their investment strengthens academic achievement, social-emotional growth, enrichment, and whole-child success for the students, schools, and communities we serve.

Vision Plan

1,000,000 Bright Lights
by 2030

This vision plan articulates our 2030 goal of lifting the lives of youth around the world through joyful, compassionate, and heart-centered programs for youth, parents, and educators.

View Our 2023 - 2030 Vision Plan