What is the Riekes Center?
The Riekes Center for Human Enhancement is a nonprofit mentoring organization that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to provide students the resources and opportunity for the joy of self-enhancement. Programs combine technology with training and offer total support to the student. This helps each individual develop valuable skills, self-reliance and self-esteem through a dedicated respect for themselves and for each other.
The Riekes Center was established in the late 1970s. A recent Stanford graduate at the time, Gary Riekes created a strength and fitness academy out of his Woodside home. His emphasis on building self-esteem and providing an opportunity for students to also study creative arts set the experience apart from that of other facilities. By 1996, the house at 1700 Fernside was too crowded and Gary moved the facility to its current location in Menlo Park. The Riekes Center now fills 40,000 square feet of space and includes a full sound room, creative arts facility with a modern video center, and the nature awareness department. Of course, this is in addition to the fully modernized athletic facility which includes updated fitness equipment, a Bod Pod for measuring body weight, a full-size indoor basketball/volleyball court, and batting cages. In 2005, The Riekes Center impacted more than 5000 students of diverse backgrounds, interests and abilities. Students from over 80 Bay Area middle schools, high schools and colleges have succeeded in reaching a wide variety of personal goals in 28 different programs.
Riekes Center students range from just starting in a program to those who are professional athletes, artists or naturalists. Further, the Riekes Center allows all members to be in an environment that is one of mutual respect, encouragement and nonjudgment so it is always a level playing field.
The Riekes Center is more than just a gym, an arts facility, or an outdoor education center. It is a home and a community, where students and staff alike actively practice one core philosophy: that all students, all goals, and all interests are equally important.
The Riekes Center is more than just a gym, an arts facility, or an outdoor education center. It is a home and a community, where students and staff alike actively practice one core philosophy: that all students, all goals, and all interests are equally important.
