How We Arrived Here

From Boys to Men to Rise Up!

Today many youth find themselves in cycles of poverty, abuse, violence, and low expectations. They may or may not have access to traditional after school programs, but they need more to thrive. They need connection.

Connection to:

- a long term caring and character driven adult
- a set of success skills
- a group to belong to
- opportunities to develop life long passions

All these are necessary to thrive, to reach their potential, and to break negative generational cycles.

We have spent years using many traditional youth practices such as:

- after school programs
-community based mentoring
- sports teams
-camping
-school based mentoring

All have their various strengths and challenges, but we have found longevity to be the missing ingredient.

Imagine:

What if a 3rd grade boy had the same mentor for 10 years?

What if a 3rd grade girl some the same loving face at her school and on the weekends? How would her life be different?

What if these same first graders were told for years that they were made for good things and they can go to college? Would they be different?

What if these same kids were able to learn to play golf, go to plays, and be Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts? Would their lives be any different? Would their lives be impacted?

So, after years of successes, failures, observation, research, discussion and prayer, Rise Up! is launching (when funding allows) the "College Preparatory Initiative".

The College Preparatory Initiative is meant to impact kids now and in future generations.

Please continue reading about the "College Preparatory Initiative"

by clicking on "Mission, Vision, and Strategies" in the top left corner.