About Us
OUR
MISSION
To provide resourceful informative services, to educate, and empower youth coming from a single parent household and their single parent on the college transition, transitioning from high school into an institution of higher learning.
OUR
MOTTO
No Child should be left behind, nor turned around due to a lack of funding and knowledge to go away to college.
OUR
VISION
To one day see everyone who walks through our program become empowered by their own success.
OUR HISTORY
The Rise Foundation was born several years ago after my daughter and I began her quest for college. After applying and visiting various colleges in the US, my daughter chose to attend Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia. Oblivious to the expenses of attending this prestigious institution, I could not discourage her, but rather encourage her to pursue her dream of going away to college.
Several weeks after my daughter moved into her dorm, she received a letter from the school's financial aid office informing her that a percentage of her tuition was due immediately. Putting God first and knowing that he did not bring us this far to leave us, I was beyond thankful when blessings started to pour in from every direction and all of our debts and worries were no longer an issue.
Although I had overcome my personal battle, which I am truly thankful for, I could not help but wonder about other single parents who were also going through similar situations. I wanted to assist those who were not as fortunate as we were to fund their child's education.
Through all the struggles, I founded The Rise Foundation of Illinois. With this organization, I plan to not only provide resources for children of single-family households but also offer resources and workshops to help educate more single parents during the college planning process. My vision is to one day see everyone who comes through our program become empowered by their own success .
-Christine Tyler, Founder & President
OUR TEAM
Christine Tyler
President and CEO
Christine is a single mom of four daughters, all of which were born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, residing in the Englewood community. Christine has been employed with the Chicago Public Schools for 17 years and is currently studying Business at Olivet Nazarene University. As a single parent, Christine has always encouraged her daughters to do their best in school and to seek higher learning. Christine hopes to inspire other single parents and their youth through The Rise Foundation and to make them more aware of the opportunities available to them and their children.
Read about Christine and her daughter on the Peace Corps site.
Meet The Team
Kayla H.| Virtual Assistant/Social Media Manager/Web Designer
Kayla Hammond joined The Rise to help students who were just like her. Even though she is from Philadelphia she saw an opportunity to help students in their journey to college in a way that she wasn't helped. She believes that every student should have the option of going to college stress and debt free.
_edited.jpg)
Asante L| Administrative assistant\ Event Coordinator
Asante Lofton is an Administrative assistant and event support for the Rise Foundation because he believes everybody deserves a chance to pursue and exceed their education goals. Getting a late start on his own education journey, he strives to help youth get started earlier than he did himself.
Nyelah M| Assistant Grant Writer
Nyelah Mitchell is the assistant grant writer for the Rise Foundation. She joined the Rise Foundation because she believes that everyone should have the information and resources they need to make the best decisions for their future.