RYSE sends our love and support to parents, caregivers, students, and educators as we collectively navigate a new school year during a pandemic.

For this month’s blog, we’re focusing on Education Justice, spotlighting the ways in which RYSE youth leaders are leading the way to reimagining safety and liberation in our schools, and reminding the community of the academic resources available for young people at RYSE.

We will move forward with patience and determination. We will work hard while also giving ourselves and each other permission to rest. We are in this together, and because we are powerful and beloved, we will make it through this.

Starting August 3rd through August 14th, RYSE is enacting a 2-week restoration for staff to rest and recharge mind, body, and spirit. Creating time for healing and for reflection is necessary to reimagine the world we both need and deserve.

In this month’s blog, we’d like to share with you some of the powerful writing and poems by RYSE youth and staff from this workshop. These are reflections on self-determination and power—on what can be given to ourselves and to our communities—and our collective commitments moving forward.

Our RYSing Professionals youth interns created and led a storytelling project and social media campaign to share about community experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the video interviews and read a reflection by collaborator Kimberly Balmorez, Health Career Pathways Program Assistant at Contra Costa Health Services.

¡Todos pueden participar en el Censo 2020 y marcar la diferencia hoy! Hay tres formas fáciles de completar el Censo 2020

The Census impacts Black, Indigenous and POC political and voting power. Here’s a breakdown on how you can help build power.

RYSE lives and leads in the legacies and present day leadership of Black queer revolutionaries. Read about the ways in which we further their work through our queer and youth-centered programs in this month’s blog.

RYSE stands in love and solidarity with Black young people and young people of color across the Bay as they stand in their power and speak out against white supremacy and state-sanctioned violence. We call upon adult allies and systems partners to show up for Black youth and youth organizers of color.

We call upon our white and non-Black community members to show up, educate themselves and each other, and support Black people. Anti-racist work and ending anti-Blackness is our responsibility.

A resource list of wellness resources made by and for Black community members.