Circuit Rider Community Services

Circuit Rider, known by many names during its history, is the name under which our organization was founded in 1976. But what is a circuit rider? Historically, judges, doctors, librarians, and ministers travelled established routes or “circuits” in order to deliver their services to as many people as possible, literally meeting them where they were. Our name, Circuit Rider, was originally chosen in the same spirit of diversified service delivery to our community — meeting our clients where they were physically and emotionally. Still our mission today, we are proud to return to our original roots and name.

Circuit Rider has a long history and storied past in Sonoma County. Innovative and daring programs, dedicated and passionate staff, and strong reach to youth and clients established the organization as a treasured mainstay in the community. The focus of Circuit Rider has always been diverse, the willingness to try new programs strong and the staff and participants have driven innovation and growth.

Fifty years of community. A future focused on youth.

Circuit Rider Community Services was founded in 1976 to provide mentoring, vocational programming, and service-learning opportunities for young people in Sonoma County. Our name reflects the tradition of circuit riders who traveled between communities to bring services directly to people—a spirit we continue by meeting youth where they are and helping them move toward their goals.

Our history includes Tree Camp, established in 1979, and decades of ecological restoration and hands-on workforce training. Those experiences helped shape an approach that remains central to our youth programs: learning through meaningful work, building confidence through experience, and discovering how to contribute to a community.

As local needs changed, Circuit Rider evolved. For more than 25 years, we have partnered with Sonoma County Probation to support justice-involved youth. Today, our work also reaches young people through schools, families, and community partners, providing support earlier and maintaining connections as their needs change.

Our youth programs today

Through Upstream Academy, we help youth address academic disengagement and behavioral challenges through mentoring, academic support, skill development, and family engagement. We are strengthening long-term mentorship relationships that can support young people through important transitions, including the move from middle to high school.

VISTA Academy provides intensive support for court-referred youth in partnership with Sonoma County Juvenile Probation. Mentorship, academic assistance, family involvement, behavioral health navigation, and practical experiences help participants reconnect with positive opportunities. Aggression Replacement Training (ART) supports this work by teaching emotional regulation, social skills, and responsible decision-making.

Raíces a Cumbre—Roots to Summit— brings youth and families together through culturally responsive outdoor experiences. Hiking, camping, photography, and shared reflection create opportunities to build confidence, strengthen relationships, and practice leadership. Former participants return as peer mentors, helping younger youth navigate challenges they once faced themselves.

These programs connect young people with trusted adults, meaningful experiences, and practical support. We work alongside families and partners to address transportation barriers, coordinate resources, and help youth pursue education and employment goals.

The next chapter

Now we are working with more than 100 youth, serving more than 60 families, and holding 35 outdoor experiences, supported by a network of more than 50 partner organizations.

Our impact also shows up in individual lives: a young person discovering photography and becoming an intern, or VISTA graduates returning to mentor others during a Yosemite leadership trip. These experiences reflect the continuity we strive to provide—from receiving support to developing skills, finding purpose, and helping others.

As Circuit Rider enters its next chapter, we are expanding prevention efforts, strengthening mentorship, and developing further leadership and workforce opportunities. Our founding commitment remains at the heart of that work: helping young people build a future they can shape for themselves.

Are you part of Circuit Rider’s History? Drop a note or tell us a story. Did one of our programs have a positive influence on your life? Or maybe you worked at Circuit Rider? We’d love to hear from you.