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Initiatives

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WaveMakers

 

WaveMakers is the signature, two-generation empowerment initiative of Rising Tide Youth Movement. It focuses on family and community engagement. It provides a coordinated, long-term roadmap for both youth and parents to overcome academic, health, and economic barriers through personalized Family Rising Plans lasting 12–24 months.

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Target 

Families in underserved Portsmouth neighborhoods (youth ages 3–18 and parents/guardians).

 

Primary participants

  • Parents and caregivers

  • Siblings and extended family

  • Community and faith partners

ENGAGE

ELEVATE

Core activities and examples

  • Family events such as literacy and learning nights, family circles, or community meals

  • Partnerships with churches and community organizations, including food giveaways, wellness events, and seasonal support

  • Parent learning sessions focused on advocacy, navigating school systems, and supporting learning at home

  • Family advisory roles or input opportunities that inform Rising Tide’s programs

 

Alignment with E³

  • Engage by building trusting relationships with families and community partners

  • Educate by sharing practical tools and information that support children’s learning and well-being

  • Elevate by lifting family voice, building leadership, and strengthening neighborhood networks around youth

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Key components

  • Personalized Family Rising Plans: Coordinators help families set education, health, and economic mobility goals and track progress.

  • WaveLearn: Weekly tutoring, mentorship, SEL, and learning disability screening for youth.

  • WaveStart: Early childhood screenings and school readiness for ages 3–5.

  • WaveWell: Health navigation and connection to care.

  • WaveWork: Career readiness and job training for parents (with childcare).

  • WaveTogether: Monthly events to build family peer networks and connect to resources.

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Anticipated outcomes

  • 30–50 families supported

  • Improved health

  • Academic achievement

  • Economic stability

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Partnerships

  • Schools

  • Health centers

  • Workforce boards

  • Early childhood organizations

  • Nonprofits

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Role in mission

Embodies holistic, family-centered change.

Carnival Game Players

Rising Scholars

 

Rising Scholars is a targeted, evidence-based tutoring and mentoring program embedded in Portsmouth schools. It focuses on academic achievement, especially literacy and foundational content knowledge. The aim is to help students become confident and capable learners who can progress successfully through school and into future opportunities. It seeks to do this by closing achievement gaps, especially in reading and math, for students most at risk of falling behind.

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Primary participants

  • Elementary and middle school students, beginning with upper elementary grades

  • Students identified by schools as needing additional support or enrichment
     

ENGAGE

EDUCATE

Core activities and examples

  • School-based tutoring and small group instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics

  • Reading clubs such as the DogTown reading group that combine comprehension, vocabulary, and discussion

  • The Science Tutoring Initiative and other project-based learning experiences in science

  • Reading rewards, field experiences, and family engagement activities that reinforce learning

 

Alignment with E³

  • Engage by creating consistent, positive relationships with students and close collaboration with school staff

  • Educate by providing high-quality, research-informed tutoring and enrichment aligned to school goals

  • Elevate by strengthening academic foundations that open doors to advanced coursework, college, and skilled career paths

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Staffing

  • Program director

  • Lead tutor/coordinators

  • 10 paid interns

  • Community volunteers

 

Anticipated outcomes

  • Improved test scores

  • Academic confidence

  • Family-school ties

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Role in mission

Academic foundation for long-term opportunity.

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Teacher Helping Students

Rising Careers Program

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The Rising Careers program supports adolescents and young adults as they explore college, careers, and entrepreneurship. This initiative guides high school seniors through transitions to the workforce, college, or trade school, ensuring each graduate has a clear, actionable plan and lifelong support. The goal is to connect youth to concrete pathways that lead to economic mobility and community leadership.

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Primary participants

  • High school students and young adults

  • Youth who are college-bound, workforce-bound, or still exploring options

ELEVATE

EDUCATE

Core activities and examples
  • Career exploration sessions and industry talk with local professionals
  • College readiness workshops addressing applications, financial aid, and campus life
  • Job readiness training in areas such as resume writing, interviewing, workplace communication, and digital skills
  • Exposure to entrepreneurship and small business ownership
  • Connections, where feasible, internships, job shadowing, and part-time employment opportunities

 

Alignment with E³

  • Engage by connecting youth with caring adult mentors and professional networks

  • Educate by building practical skills and knowledge needed for education and work

  • Elevate by providing pathways to higher education, quality employment, and business ownership​

 
Key components

  • Universal Senior Support: Career readiness curriculum for all seniors (assessments, resume/interview, financial literacy, navigation).

  • Targeted Workforce Support: Career counseling, job matching, and readiness training for those entering the workforce.

  • Pathway Changers: Ongoing support for graduates who switch paths post-graduation.

  • Employer & Community Connections:
    Real-world learning, internships, job placements.

 

Anticipated outcomes

  • Every senior graduates with a career
    portfolio and plan

  • Increased job placement

  • Increased college enrollment

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Role in mission

  • Removes barriers at key transitions

  • Promotes economic mobility

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GENIUS
Teen Lab

Genius Teen Lab

 

Genius Teen Lab is a six-week summer program for 50 Portsmouth teens (ages 13–17) focused on technology, creative arts, and leadership. This teen-focused initiative integrates science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and artificial intelligence with mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and other relevant areas. It's designed as a summer and out-of-school-time environment where teens experience themselves as creators of technology and solutions, rather than just consumers.

Primary participants

  • Middle and high school students who are interested in STEM, technology, or creative problem solving

  • Youth who may not see themselves reflected in traditional STEM spaces but who demonstrate talent and curiosity

ELEVATE

EDUCATE

Core activities and examples

  • Project-based STEM and artificial intelligence labs where teens build, test, and present solutions

  • Hands-on challenges that connect science and technology to real community questions and needs

  • Mindfulness, stress management, and social and emotional learning are integrated into daily routines

  • Leadership roles for teens as team leaders, peer mentors, or youth facilitators

  • Showcases or pitch-style events where youth present their projects to families, community partners, and potential supporters

 

Alignment with E³

  • Engage by creating an affirming peer community where teens feel safe to experiment and learn

  • Educate by building technical skills, computational thinking, collaboration, and communication

  • Elevate by positioning teens as innovators and leaders, and by opening doors to further STEM education and career opportunities

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Key Components

  • Workshops: Digital art, music, coding, writing, game design.

  • Mindfulness & SEL: Daily sessions for well-being.

  • Field Trips: Visits to local art/tech/cultural sites.

  • Genius Gallery: Student project showcases.

 
Anticipated outcomes

  • 21st-century skills

  • Leadership skills

  • Career inspiration

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Role in mission

Summer engagement for future-ready growth.

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