Tutoring

The tutoring program operates daily Mondays through Thursdays for elementary-age children. Interested children are matched with a tutor for the academic year for one hour-a-week sessions, September through mid-June.

As tutors and tutees meet for an hour each week, tutors not only help with homework, but give guidance and often become a part of their tutee’s life. The need is great and we are always open to receive new tutors. Tutors are given orientation and training, and are offered support throughout the year.

Middle School and High School youth also receive tutoring upon request and can avail of a staffed study hours Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

For more information about volunteering to be a tutor or working with youth during the extended study time, please check out ‘volunteers’ on this website.

HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE

As children arrive from school, they receive help with their homework.  Some children need more help than others, but all are given attention and academic encouragement.  A computer bank and other educational resources assist the children with their homework and projects. Multiple spaces to work on homework make it possible for a child to find the right location to focus on doing his or her best academically, under the assistance and supervision of staff. You might find a young person doing homework at their homebase, in the Courtyard, the Lending Library or their favorite room.

GUIDED LEARNING CLUBS

Guided Learning clubs are offered at various times throughout the year for 6 to 8 weeks.  Some examples are “Dreams that Stick” (inventors and their inventions), “Clifford, the Big Red Dog” (part of our children’s book series), and “Exploring the Long Beach Port”. Guided Learning is woven into everything we do, as we look for every moment being a ‘teaching moment’.

COMPUTER BANK

Nineteen computers are made available to the children and youth to use for homework, educational games, and creative activities. We have added a 3-d printer to our science room, in addition to the four computers in the room to expand technological & creative opportunitites.

LENDING LIBRARY

A lending library is available to the children and youth with nearly 10,000 titles. Library books can be borrowed and returned after they have been enjoyed. Also daily, there is a book table for children and youth to pick a book that they might want to read and keep.

We also hold book clubs for children of all ages.

LIFE SKILL CLUBS

Life Skill clubs are offered at various times throughout the year for 6 to 8 weeks.  Our most popular is creative cooking.  Some other examples are “Manners Talk” and “Money Counts”.  Life Skills development is woven throughout our clubs and entire program as we teach responsibility, respect and follow through on one’s decisions.

FOCUSED SKILL SETS

Volunteers have the opportunity to offer their skill set to the children and youth.  A volunteer’s talent and passion go a long way in helping children and youth become motivated and passionate in their lives.  For example, someone who loves to write came to work with the children an hour a week on creative writing.  She got the children inspired and they collectively wrote a book! Another volunteer shares her love of baking by teaching baking class to as many students and the space and day will allow (it is extremely popular!)

STEM CLUBS

STEM clubs are offered at various times throughout the year for 6 to 8 weeks.  Some examples include Lego Club, Numbers Dance, and Kitchen Science.  We are currently building interest in 3-D printing. A huge thank you to the Carrie Townsend Foundation and the Port of Long Beach for their special support to enhance our STEM experience

SCIENCE CENTER

The Science Center, made possible in part by Southern California Edison, is open Monday through Thursday for several hours of experimentation and exploration under the direction of those who love the world of science.  Activities often involve technology, engineering and mathematics.

ARTS CLUBS

Art clubs are offered throughout the year. Computer art, painting, sketching, duct tape art and origami are always favorites.

In addition we have an Art Center that is open daily for young people to visit — stay as long as they want, creating and developing art (as long as they get their homework done).

MADD INC SUMMER PROGRAM

Music Art Drama Dance Incorporating New Creativity

MADD INC is part of our six week intensive summer program.  Artists join our leadership team to help students develop their creativity skills and produce art that is long-lasting and inspiring.  Classes not only include art (like sculpture and painting), but also music, dance, acting and writing. This past summer we focused on regional artists throughout the country including Georgia O’Keefe. 

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING CLUBS

G.L.O.W. teen girls’ empowerment group and Boys2Men teen boys’ empowerment group meet several times a month as part of our specialized programming. In addition, we currently have 30 mentor-mentee matches as part of our commitment to empower young people for success.

Specialized program clubs also include a Youth Summer Leadership Academy, small groups for children and a Summer Bible Club (SBC) that is done in partnership with Covenant Presbyterian Church (Parents who do not want their child to participate in the religious part of the SBC are given alternatives so that they can fully engage in Rising TIDE).

EVENTS

Special events are held several times throughout the year.  For instance, a Stanford Alumni Learning Fair in May and a back-to-school prep day before children and youth return to school with the distribution of school supplies, haircuts, an activities that promote mental health.

Birthdays are celebrated with bi-monthly parties for those celebrating their birthday in the months being highlighted.

We also have special holiday celebrations and special outings on occasion.