(continued)

‍We still believe that the best way to change the tale of two Americas is to enable all children to go to high quality schools.  Education remains the “last best hope” for all children to participate in the American dream. There are many things that threaten these children: grinding poverty, broken families, the dangers of the street, and the seduction of drugs.  We can’t rebuild families or change neighborhoods overnight – but we can provide access to high quality, life changing schools. It is our hope that children who receive a RISE sponsored education will be able escape these neighborhoods to give their children a better life.  We hope that for these children we will break the cycle of poverty that has been so recalcitrant in the tragic version of America.

Over the last 20 years I have heard many young people tell us how RISE has changed their lives, has “broken the cycle”, and made the hopeful version of America a possibility.  I am always moved.  Recently Nadia shared her story:

‍“I can honestly say that without the support from RISE I wouldn’t be where I am today. I became a RISE student in elementary school. My father went to prison multiple times growing up and the only stability I had was my school. I graduated from college with a double major in psychology and sociology in 2016. My father went back to prison my freshman year of college, one of my brothers was sentenced with life that year and the other a double life sentence the following year. I felt like my world had been crushed for the 50th time, except it wasn’t. My foundation of support has molded me into the person I am today. My first mentor came from RISE, my first tutor and my first job. RISE has literally helped me RISE, over and over. Thank you RISE! Love, Nadia.”

‍You should feel proud of what you have done for children like Nadia.  Without you her journey would not have been possible. You are part of the RISE family just like these children, their care givers, and their teachers.  Perhaps you have been with RISE from the early days, or maybe you are new to the organization. Perhaps you left for a while and came back.  Whatever your journey with RISE has been, I am incredibly grateful for all you have done and congratulate you on our first 20 years of changing lives.

This fall a new crop of RISE children, all children of incarcerated parents, will embark on the journey of hope and opportunity that the RISE community provides.  Each child will have a mentor to guide him or her, and a sponsor (or a team of sponsors) that pays approximately $4,000 a year for tuition support.  Others give as they can to help support books, tutoring, SAT prep, college visits and the mentoring program.  All of this support comes from people like you who, very often, have never met the child they support.  At a time when some wonder if the American dream is still alive – especially for urban minority communities – we see it reborn every fall at RISE.

On behalf of all the children we serve, thank you for keeping the dream alive.  I hope you will stay on the journey with RISE, and our children, for the next 20 years.

Thank You,
Kevin