Raising Expectations provides support system for young people in Atlanta

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) —Each month, Atlanta News First donates to an organization doing good in our community as part of our Three-Degree Guarantee program. The amount of money we donate depends on the accuracy of our First Alert Weather Team, and our partners at Coolray match it. This month, Atlanta News First is highlighting “Raising Expectations.” The core mission is to empower Atlanta’s youth in underserved communities to reach their full potential by elevating academic, social, and civic expectations. Maria Armstrong and Tangee Allen are the co-founders of Raising Expectations. A 30-year journey that started when they were college students. “ To see those kids talk about the work of raising expectations, and how the organization really impacted them was just beautiful,” Armstrong said. “What you will always have is a space that’s full of love, and full of expectations. So, raising expectations is not just a name by happens stance; we believe kids actually live up to or down to the expectations set for them,” Allen added. What began as a grassroots tutoring and mentor effort, has evolved into a wholistic approach, where each program is designed to meet the students and their families where they are. “We had to make a critical decision, on what type of people we would be. Would we be the type of people to start something and not finish it? The answer is no,” Armstrong said. “The ultimate goal is the end of the race, it is that pathway, where are you going to go.” Since the creation of Raising Expectations, they’ve worked to help kids in Atlanta graduate on time and have a plan for life after high school. “This is not a scenario where it’s all about having fun and games, it’s like having that big auntie or big sister, giving you that guidance and care,” Allen said. At Raising Expectations, the pathway to success looks a lot like providing students with access to resources, relationships and experiences, but at the root of it all is academic achievement. “There’s groups where they work on different academic activities,” Armstrong said. “One block could be homework; another one might be working on their independent math assignments. We do weekly STE(A)M activities as well because we want our kids to be exposed to STEM and STE(A)M activities as well.” In year 30, nearly 3500 students have been through the program, and its graduates are now raising expectations in their own lives and communities. “Now that she’s an assistant principal, she has her first born in college, she speaks on how she’s so appreciative of Raising Expectations,” Allen said. “Not Maria, not Tangee but the org and all of our friends that we recruited in college supporting us. That moves me and shows we really made a difference. ” For more info about Raising Expectations, visit Raising Expectations – Atlanta Youth Mentorship & Education . Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.