RISE

We are SO proud of our largest cohort of the RISE Business Academy! This group had nine phenomenal graduates with incredible small businesses they're putting out into the community. Thank you to our business pitch judges for taking on the challenge of asking tough questions, listening, and making the impossible decisions of picking the top 5! Thank you to: ? JaMarr Lewis, Manager of Customer Care at Cox Communications ? Abe Karimi - Co-Founder/Clinical Pharmacist at LNK Pharmacy Solutions ? TJ Andreasen - Associate at Paul G. Smith Associates and Black Dog Ventures ? Natasha Mohr - CEO of Clara and DEI Network; RISE Board member ? Suzie Fogarty, M.Ed. - Strategic Development Manager at Smart Gen Society ? Lena Riley, Legal Content Policy Manager, LinkedIn And to Cox Communications, thank you for your investment in entrepreneurship, second chances, and the RISE Business Academy! #coxcommunications

Tomorrow the 11th RISE Business Academy cohort will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and graduate! A special thank you to Cox Communications for their devoted support of the RISE Business Academy!

We are honored to be the recipient of the 2024 NAM Catalyst Award! This award is given to organizations that drive excellence, inspire others, and have innovative approaches. We are so humbled to be recognized in this space! Thank you Nonprofit Association of the Midlands! https://ow.ly/574y50U81cQ

Today, RISE is hosting a reentry simulation at the Omaha Correctional Center to help individuals preparing for life after incarceration. With 95% of incarcerated people returning home, reentry is crisis—from housing and employment barriers to financial struggles. This simulation allows participants to anticipate what 'four weeks' of reentry could look like in just one hour. Through 'life cards' and realistic scenarios, we want to prep and show our participants what ongoing support looks like when facing these invisible barriers. https://ow.ly/4ZhI50U5tay

The Veterans Justice Commission (Council on Criminal Justice) has found that one in three of the nation’s 19 million veterans report having been arrested at least once in their lifetime, and at last count, an estimated 181,500 veterans were incarcerated in local, state, or federal facilities. As healing and rebuilding is ongoing, providing comprehensive support services, mental health care, and meaningful employment opportunities can make a significant difference in their lives. To learn more about RISE's reentry services, visit https://lnkd.in/gbswwaeE

There will be NO RISE & Shine tomorrow as the RISE staff gathers for staff development. Even though WE won't be there, be sure to stop in and support Astute Coffee! We'll see you next Friday, November 15th from 8-9AM!

Nebraska’s laws around voting rights and voting rights restoration can be confusing. This guide put together by ACLU of Nebraska is meant to help. https://ow.ly/toVu50U0hWu

Have you ever heard of the value: withness? Tap in and read more! ? "Withness?means walking alongside people for personal and community betterment; meeting them where they are in the current moment with empathy, encouragement, and altruism." Withness is one of the core values at RISE. Is the word made up? 100% ? Nebraska is the most overcrowded prison system in the United States, and the United States incarcerates more people than the rest of the world. RISE is the largest nonprofit organization in Nebraska focused solely on habilitative programming in prisons and reentry support. At RISE, transformation starts pre-release and continues post-release with an inside/out model that bridges incarceration to the community and considers all the critical steps in that journey. The incredible RISE team prepares and trains people for each phase through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship, family programming and case management. RISE absolutely transforms people in the community by building awareness and empathy that leads to support and opportunity.?These connections heal families, create employment pathways and lower recidivism. RISE's current achievements - WITH the community: ?? 757 graduates from our?In-Prison Program ?? 285 In-Prison Program graduates who have successfully?returned?home ?? 51?Business Academy?graduates, launching 29 local small businesses ?? 320 individuals working to break the generational cycle of incarceration ?? Policy?change?for system-impacted individuals ?? Employment?readiness programs + one-on-one job placements ?? countless?success stories. I am a Second Chance Circle member, giving $50 monthly to support the work of RISE and to do my part to champion withness. Will you consider joining me if this mission and impact resonates with you? ? https://lnkd.in/eSaybwPM ? As a member of the?Second Chance Circle, the RISE team will engage you through quarterly success stories and staff / program spotlights, invitations to special events, and ... RISE swag! ? A recurring gift of $50/month?has the power to: ?? Elevate additional programming, services and resources for RISE participants to ensure gainful?employment?and housing upon release. ?? Provide supplies and learning tools for the?entrepreneurs,?children, families?and?advocates?utilizing RISE’s community programs to enhance their futures and break cycles. ?? Offset the costs of public transportation and rideshares RISE participants rely on when?reentering?the community. ?? Cycles repeat, yet?circles are infinite. If you are interested in breaking cycles through tough love, grit, and withness, please consider joining the?Second Chance Circle. Join us today! https://lnkd.in/eSaybwPM

There's still time! Register to vote in-person at your local election office by 6:00pm to participate in the upcoming general election! Find your local election office here: https://ow.ly/s1VG50TTymt

Current and formerly incarcerated Nebraskans have voting rights! Your voice matters, and you have the power to create change. Learn more about your rights and how to make your vote count. Click below to understand your rights: https://ow.ly/fl6750TSNhr ACLU of Nebraska