To celebrate 10 years of RYSE and to close a full birthday month of celebrations, we’d like to share this poem by youth members and poets Marisol Lara, Nyree McDaniels, Carol Morales, Leeah Thomas, and Sukari Wright:
Pictured above from left to right: RYSE youth members and poets Marisol Lara, Nyree McDaniels, Carol Morales, Sukari Wright, and Leeah Thomas.
RYSE, another word for salvation
Spirit saving, mind changing
Body plunged in confidence
Thankful for the “you’re worth it’s” and
The “I love you’s”
RYSE, another word for hope
A second home a second chance
For kids from Richmond
The city of lost pride and purpose
To be themselves
And be safe from streets
Full of empty bullets broken dreams and homes
RYSE another word for expression
I can put my heart into food
And use my smile as a paint brush
Showing everyone that I can contribute
To this live mural being a work of art
RYSE, another word for safety
Where crime hits a wall
Where violence and hunger disappear
Like a magic trick
Where its mama bears hug
Shielding you from hate and evil
RYSE, another word for peace
There arms like the welcoming blankets
On a warm beds on busy nights
This is where we come to be free
Where our hearts weigh lighter than feathers
Because we are not the only one shouldering burdens
RYSE, another word for music
The rhythm from the studio thump like heart beats
It’s like being safe in mama’s womb
A place sheltering from all things insane
RYSE, another word for summer
Time laughter lavender and healing
Both cookouts and kick ball
Both trips taken and new buildings I will plant memories in
We’re currently at $8,053 toward our $10,000 goal to celebrate 10 years at RYSE. Help us reach our goal.
We’ve extended our birthday giving campaign until tomorrow—Friday, November 2nd—so there’s still a chance for you to give to RYSE!
Donor gifts include anniversary commemorative posters, enamel pins, and T-shirts.
Thank you supporters who have donated so far!
Stephanie Boykins
Jessie Stewart
Mariana Moore
Elizabeth Kaufman
Kris Murphey
Sam Herschel
Linda Lopez
Cinnabar Jones
Julie Freestone
Lynn Maack
Kate Sibley
Leonie Walker
Molly Ann
Anna Kamerow
Sonia Rab Alam
Zach Mizroch
Rae Thomas
Salome Chasnoff
Tierra Allen
Vivian Huang
Tom Panas
Jada Carter
Jennifer Bruggeman
Michele Seville
Larry Aceves
Janis Lambert Connallon
Liz Kroboth
Robert Pascual
Kimberly Aceves-Iniguez
Tavae Samuelu
Sudeep Misra
Lorraine Ramirez
Angela Echiverri
Debbie Ng
Angela Clausen
Jennifer Chien
Rodrigo Beteta
Shannon Lin
Michael Conlon
10 Years & RYSing
Club Night
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate our 10 year anniversary with us at our first ever Club Night event on Friday, October 26th! Community members joined RYSE staff and alumni for a night of drinks, dance, delicious food, games, and fun to close out our month-long celebration. Check out some of the photos—all photos will be uploaded onto our Facebook page soon!
October at RYSE
This month at RYSE, we celebrated with with events including an open house, movie night, spa day, and more.
Check out some of our photos, plus more photos from programs and workshops about Indigenous People’s Day, youth-led collaborative quilt-making, music making in our recording booth, and more!
