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The RISE Youth Leader Advocacy Network provides opportunities for our youth ages 14-24 to lead the change they want to see in education, their communities, and the youth legal system and our army of Youth Leaders is growing!
Our youth meet once a week for the first three weeks of the month to listen, learn, share, educate, and receive training to help them shape advocacy that will result in the change they want to see.
Our Youth Leaders come together during the fourth week of the month to fellowship and just have a good time, because rest and recreation are integral parts of fostering healthy youth development!
RISE hosts advocacy weekend trainings every year as well to allow young leaders the opportunity to learn how to make a case for change to elected officials during the legislative session.
RISE hosts debates to allow youth leaders to learn to make their case for change to their peers and to others.
Finally, RISE organizes community events that allow youth to be about the work of making the changes they want to see in their community, beyond the legislature.
If this sounds like an opportunity for you, follow the link to complete an application and our team will reach out to follow up with you!
Age: 18
B-day: April 25
I joined RISE to help our youth whether they know it or not, and to work on ways to help our youth in our community so they won’t fall into that school to prison pipeline so helping abolish that and being a part of RISE is one way of doing that! Why the work RISE does matters to me so much is because we fight for things and the rights for our youth and my brother had a similar situation to the bills we were fighting for as well. I want to advocate because not everybody has a voice for themselves. So advocates like us are there to speak up for them and help out in the best way we can and the best way we know how to!! I believe my purpose in this advocacy work is to do my best to work and grind to fight for what’s right and help our youth and try to help set our youth up for the best and brightest future possible. I believe if I can help be a part of that, it will be the best experience and life lesson I can learn and also teach.
Age: 23
B-day: April 12
My desire to be a part of RISE is rooted in my aspiration to further develop my skills as an advocate by engaging in work that aligns with my life's purpose. I believe that liberation is the collective effort of individuals who have responded to their soul's calling to engage in such meaningful work. In this regard, I see myself, alongside RISE, as a liberator.
Age: 20
B-day: February 16
Because of what I did and how I acted in my past, I know I want to be the change for the younger generation that's going through what I've been through. I want to be the voice of the voiceless for people who don’t think that their voice matters. My purpose, I don’t know that yet, but I’m ready for any role that will be put in front of me.
Age: 18
B-day: October 9
I became an advocate in RISE because I see the way juvenile incarceration negatively affects everyone around me and I want to change that.
Age: 20
B-day: May 4
Growing up I never believed my voice actually mattered and up until a couple years ago, I thought my existence alone was an offense. I went through life fearful and alone. Being a part of the RISE community has given me the chance to speak on things that really matter to me, be in spaces I never knew existed, and has allowed me to meet some incredible people. It's such an indescribable feeling, a feeling I've been desperately chasing my whole life. I learned to trust and for the first time I could see myself. I want to harbor an environment where young Killian would have actually felt safe and heard. I know there are a lot of kids out there that share my story and I want to show them how far they can go with a little resilience and persistence. I want to give to the community my undying love and never-ending support and I know RISE can give me that platform.
Age: 18
B-day: February 17
I joined RISE because I believe in the power of advocacy to create positive change for youth. I am passionate about ensuring that every young person has a fair chance to succeed, and I see myself as a voice for those who may not have the opportunity to speak up for themselves.
Age: 22
B-day: October 9
I desire to be a part of something greater, seeking change, and more exciting moments for my community; that's why I joined RISE. All the work that RISE has done so far impacts young people's lives. It has encouraged many to become advocates and do more in their community. The work matters not only to educate youth but to represent growth in the political world. I would love to step into more advocacy work because it has always been something I have been passionate about and who else better to do it with! I believe my purpose is to continue to strive for more! To utilize my voice and let the world know that we are powerful! That we matter and we are here to make a positive change in our community! For this is the first step!
Age: 18
B-day: August 19
Age: 21
B-day: October 25
RISE for Youth | P.O. Box 2347 | Chesterfield, VA 23832 | info@riseforyouth.org