Message from the Director
We are excited to connect with our RISE Tournament of Champions supporters and share the impact your support has had on our program. These past 2 years have been challenging, however, we are extremely proud of the way RISE Center has continued to meet the needs of the children and families we serve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we begin to open registration for the golf tournament and tennis tournament, we wanted to be sure our supporters felt our gratitude for their continued support and dedication to RISE Center. RISE continued to shine brightly in 2021! We look forward to seeing everyone in person on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21 and hope you enjoy this presentation that includes a review of last year's tournament and highlights the strength and dedication of our children, families and staff.
2021 Tournament Review
- The RISE Center hosted its annual Tournament of Champions Golf Tournament and the inaugural Ladies' Tennis Tournament in April at North River Yacht Club. These events gave RISE supporters and the Tuscaloosa community an opportunity to enjoy fellowship, competition, good food and drink as well as perfect weather!
This tournament remains the largest fundraiser for the RISE Center and the 2021 event continued the mission to provide quality early intervention services to an inclusive population while serving children with special needs at no cost to families. Thank you to all who helped make this a successful fundraiser!
Many thanks to the support and dedication of sponsors and volunteers who helped kick off our inaugural tennis tournament.
The tennis tournament will return in 2022 at the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center on April 12. To learn more call 205-348-7931 or visit our website RISECENTER.UA.EDU
Chip In for RISE 2022
After an absence due to the pandemic, CHIP in for RISE will return on the evening of April 21 at North River Yacht Club. This silent auction and cocktail reception will include a variety of items to bid on. Chip In will be an in-person event this year, with items available for viewing at the Yacht Club. Participants will use a mobile phone app to bid on items. This particular event helps maintain the annual budget including salaries for therapists.
The RISE Center
The RISE Center is a part of UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences and serves children with special needs and their typically developing peers from age 8 weeks to 5 years. The nationally recognized RISE program is dedicated to excellence in service, science and teaching. The program not only benefits families in the community, but serves as a practicum and intern site for college students from UA and other colleges.
“The RISE Center is continually challenging itself to offer the best possible therapies in our inclusive early childhood and preschool educational setting” said Andi Gillen, RISE director. “The golf tournament is our largest fundraiser and ensures we are able to meet this challenge. We remain committed to our policy that children receiving services attend our program at no cost to their family.”
“We have an exceptional team that includes a music therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist and a speech therapist and language pathologist. We could not do what we do for families without their knowledge and expertise,” said Andi Gillen, RISE director. Thank you to all who helped make this event so successful in 2020.