Who we are
We are educators and activists using STEAM education to help our youngest community members understand our local environment. Through environmental education we hope to support our youth as we fight for more equitable, sustainable communities. We are a place based organization and work with communities along the Lower Los Angeles River.
Mission
River in Action (RIA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing community based environmental education programs for TK-5 youth.
Our Team
Erica Maceda, Executive Director
Erica is a small business owner who lives and works in downtown Long Beach. She attended CSULB and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. As a native Angelino who has lived in several neighborhoods throughout the south and east Los Angeles areas, Erica is familiar with the need for social programs and community engagement. She hopes to cultivate a dialogue between educators/activists and community members. A firm believer that access to environmental education empowers people to advocate for more just communities. Coming from an ever-growing family with several young nieces and nephews, she hopes to plant seeds of curiosity around issues of environmental justice and our changing climate.
Lizette Mendoza, Program Director
Lizzette is a teacher in South Central Los Angeles who grew up in near the lower Los Angeles river in North Long Beach. As an educator, she loves centering her lessons around environmental activism. Lizzette believes that her young students have the potential to be leaders in protecting the environment for their communities. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Environmental Systems and Society. After spending some years working as a teacher’s assistant, Lizzette headed back to UCLA and earned her Master’s degree in Education. She is beginning her career as an elementary school teacher and hopes to become more involved in community organizing as an advocate for equity in education and access to natural spaces.
Tonia McMillian, Board Member
Tonia McMillian has been a professional Child Care Provider for over 25 years. She is a proud member of the CA Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission and recently was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the CA Early Childhood Workforce Policy Subcommittee. She serves as the elected National Secretary to the SEIU National African American Caucus (AFRAM). Since 2009, she has worked tirelessly for family childcare professionals, mostly women of color, to win the right to collective bargaining. She, along with thousands of family child providers, was honored to celebrate their unwavering dedication to the childcare campaign on September 30th, 2019 when Governor Newsom signed AB 378 granting these workers the right to negotiate with the State. She is currently working as an Organizer at SEIU Local 99.
Miriam Mercado, Board Member
Miriam works as a recreation leader for the City of Paramount and as a college tutor with the Paramount Unified School District. She currently attends California State University, Long Beach where she is pursuing a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. She is active in both her local and state government through a variety of service organizations and community committees. She is passionate and seeks to serve her community.
Make a donation.
By making a tax-deductible donation, you are helping to empower our children to understand the water systems our communities depend on.