Rising TIDE @ MKEC

Rising TIDE has served Long Beach's overwhelming need for an after-school education & development program in a safe and supportive environment for over 20 years; a place free of drugs, guns, and gang violence in our neighborhood. We have provided this resource at no cost -- without religious requirements -- to the most vulnerable students/families in our community. Our curriculum features educational programming in reading and literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM), the arts, life-skills, and health/self-care/nutrition/wellness. Currently, we are reaching over 150 children and youth - either virtually or in-person. Approximately 95% of our students are classified by the state as socio-economically disadvantaged. Staff and volunteers often become an extended family of social and emotional support for our participants. Our success can be attributed to our philosophy of creating a family-like, nurturing environment where participants learn and grow together, bonding with staff and volunteers to help provide stability, as young people look to staff and volunteers for the positive guidance they may not receive at home. Many of our students begin with us as toddlers and stay through high school graduation, returning to the program as volunteers and staff where they learn work ethics to prepare themselves for college and employment. It is truly a testament to the lifelong commitment we make to our young people and vice versa when former participants enroll their children in our program and return as staff/volunteers.

Testimonials

When several participants in Rising TIDE were asked why they are at Rising TIDE, they gave these responses:

A young child was quoted: "It's fun here with all the different rooms full of games. I love all the learning here, too. I love all my tutors because they're the best!" 

A youth was quoted: "It's a place where I feel comfortable to be who I am. I'm surrounded by people who care about me and people that I love."

A parent was quoted: "I like the undivided attention they get from the staff and the caring and compassion that they show. I love all the different programs and activities that the kids can be involved in."