Teaching Students to Build Sustainable Communities
First set of Presidio Education® gift packages filled with 3M 8511 masks and hand sanitizers sent to those impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Asia. Starting in January 2020, our San Francisco faculty repeatedly waited in lines outside at 5:30 AM to try and buy as many masks as allowed for those in need. Our team contacted charities and organizations overseas to see who and how we could help. Photograph by Martin Nobida, English Teacher, 2020.
At Presidio Education®, we believe in teaching more than just academics—we teach our students to develop sustainable solutions for real-world challenges. While grades and test scores matter, we emphasize the deeper value of empathy, compassion, and community impact. That’s why our teachers, staff, and college interns actively participate in volunteer efforts and help lead meaningful Impact Projects like the Cebu Impact Project. We want students to see that helping others is not just something we expect of them—it’s a responsibility we all share, no matter our age.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in January 2020, our San Francisco office has been running around the Bay Area looking for 3M 8511 masks to be sent to Asia for those in need. Photograph by Presidio Education®, 2020.
Building Partnerships for Long-Term Impact
As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, we invest time in building meaningful relationships with local businesses. These partnerships allow us to learn how local leaders apply sustainable practices in their industries—and, just as importantly, they open the door to future collaboration. By working together, we can scale our sustainability initiatives and create lasting impact within the communities we serve.
Scott Pastorino, proprietor of Pastorino Farms, in one of his sunflower fields in Half Moon Bay, California, United States. Read more on our Corporate Social Responsibility page. Photograph by Presidio Education® Director of Product Management Yunju Chen, 2018.
Words from Scott Pastorino, Proprietor of Pastorino Farms
We use crop rotation to keep the soil at a high standard. We compost our old and unused flowers and plants to help fertilize the soil. To help reduce waste, we also recycle and reuse old pots, planters and vases for plants and flowers. In order to mitigate pollution, we avoid herbicides and pesticides that could possibly leach into groundwater and contaminate drinking water. Water management is crucial to farming and communities, especially when Northern California undergoes drought periods. We train our employees to grow and use native plants that don’t require a lot of water. In fact, while we clone and use cuttings to regenerate new generations of flowers and plants, we use old sunflower seeds and pumpkins for future crops.
Community strength is very important to us. We work with our city, the local chamber of commerce, schools, senior centers, the local YMCA and use agricultural tourism to help educate the general public on the importance of farming and our challenges with climate change and drought. We give farm tours and donate flowers, pumpkins and straw to local charities and schools. We have a farm camp where young people can come and learn how the farm operates, how much work is involved in the upkeep of live plants and animals, the growing process, how we use greenhouses to grow and how we use our farm equipment.
We share our information and practices with other local farmers, the state and government departments of agriculture. Educating oneself on new farming methods and being well read and willing to change methods on important areas, such using solar for energy or aquaponics, is critical to growing a sustainable business. Teaching younger generations the importance of building sustainable businesses is extremely important because we all share the community. When building a business, our responsibility is to protect the environment.
Volunteering with Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Our team volunteers with children from the Po Leung Kuk Yu Lee Mo Fan Memorial School Dormitory in Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong—many of whom have intellectual disabilities. We help organize transportation to the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre in Tsuen Wan, where the children can enjoy a joyful day of playing, dancing, and sharing meals with friends. These outings are more than just fun—they offer meaningful social experiences that foster confidence, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
When asked about volunteering with children with intellectual disabilities from Po Leung Kuk Yu Lee Mo Fan Memorial School Dormitory, Ryan Young, Presidio Education® Founder & CEO, replied:
A large part of our sustainability mission is to promote inclusivity, especially for children. Volunteering with children with intellectual disabilities is truly heartwarming. All children need compassion and to know that there are people who care about them. Many of us had fortunate childhoods, educations and had family and friends to support us during difficult times. Unfortunately, not all children receive the same type of support, love and hope. There is nothing more heartbreaking when children are forgotten. We must band together to give back to our communities and support all children with the very kindness and compassion they equally deserve.
Volunteering with children who have intellectual disabilities is both humbling and deeply rewarding. These remarkable children radiate warmth, curiosity, and boundless energy. Their smiles and laughter remind us of the simple joys in life. Every visit is filled with meaningful interactions—and plenty of fun. We also value the chance to connect with fellow volunteers, working together to improve resources and create even more supportive environments for these children.
Presidio Education® faculty and College Intern teams volunteering with children with intellectual disabilities from the Po Leung Kuk Yu Lee Mo Fan Memorial School Dormitory at the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. Photograph by Ryan Young, Presidio Education® Founder & CEO, 2018.
Supporting Literacy and Access for All
Our team proudly volunteers with the San Francisco Public Library’s book giveaway program—an initiative that helps bridge the educational gap for children without reliable access to the internet or academic resources. Libraries play a vital role in supporting students who need a quiet place to learn, explore, and discover. This program is especially meaningful to Yunju Chen, Presidio Education® Director of Product Management, who holds a Master of Science in Information Management from the University of Washington. With a passion for education equity, Yunju has worked tirelessly to make learning materials more accessible, empowering students to reach their full potential.
When asked about volunteering at the San Francisco Public Library, Yunju replied:
For educators, I want to use technology to connect educators and students and make their learning experiences engaging and effective. It’s important for us to focus on the human aspect of technology. Technology is just a tool to help us do our work faster and better. To be successful as a sustainable company, we need to connect different dots together and make a full circle. We teach our students not only to be successful academically but also to be responsible members of society. Students must learn to care about other people and the environment around them to know how to give back when they enter society. If we can teach students to build communities, we will have great potential to make big impacts.
The reality is that many students still lack access to basic academic resources. It's a common misconception that all students own smartphones or computers—but this simply isn’t true. For under-resourced students, public libraries are essential lifelines. They offer free access to research databases, print materials, and the invaluable support of librarians who can guide students through homework and academic projects. Most importantly, libraries provide a safe and quiet space to study—something many students don’t have at home.
Presidio Education® faculty volunteering at the San Francisco Public Library book giveaway. Photograph by Yunju Chen, Director of Product Management, 2018.
Volunteering with Impoverished Children and Families
Our team volunteers with underprivileged children at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre, helping them create meaningful and expressive art projects. These moments of creativity offer far more than just fun—they provide emotional relief, personal expression, and a sense of accomplishment. At Presidio Education®, we believe that education is not just about memorization or formulas. Fostering creativity and emotional well-being is essential for student development, especially for those growing up in difficult circumstances.
When asked about volunteering with underprivileged children at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre, Wayne Man, Presidio Education® Math & Social Science Teacher, replied:
Helping underprivileged children at the Inside Out workshop is immensely rewarding but also surprisingly a lot of fun, too. We learn to build a rapport with children. All it takes is a big smile and a willingness to get involved! It is important to give back to the community by volunteering rather than just donating money to charity. Volunteering only a few hours can have a big impact on the lives of the less fortunate.
Art projects offer children a powerful way to showcase their creativity—something especially meaningful for those from impoverished backgrounds who rarely have opportunities to express themselves freely. These programs also create inclusive environments where volunteers and children can connect beyond words. Even when language barriers exist, creativity becomes a shared language. For our team, this means we can still contribute meaningfully, building trust and joy through genuine engagement with the children we serve.
Helping impoverished students create beautiful art projects at the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. From left to right: Wayne Man, Math & Social Science Teacher; Kenley Lou, Social Science and College Intern Coordinator; and Isaac Ng, College Intern, Sustainability Data Analytics. Photograph by Ryan Young, Presidio Education® Founder & CEO, 2018.
Get Involved—Make an Impact That Matters
If you’re ready to make a difference, we invite you to join our Presidio Education® Sustainability Team. Whether you're a student, parent, educator, government official, or simply someone who cares—your time, skills, and compassion can help uplift communities in need. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help us develop meaningful Impact Projects around the world. Together, let’s build more sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate communities—one project at a time.
