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Our Mission

RISE for Youth is a nonpartisan organization committed to dismantling the youth prison model and ensuring every space that impacts a young person’s life encourages growth and success. RISE promotes the creation of healthy communities and community-based alternatives to youth incarceration. Our work centers youth and their communities who together, challenge and dismantle racial and social injustice in Virginia.

Calling Young Adults 18-24!

RISE for Youth’s Youth Development Academy Application is live and accepting applicants for the class of 2024!

New Virginia Poll Results On Youth Justice Reform

After a year of pandemic, protests, and political strife, America’s divisions are clear, but a new survey reveals that reforming the youth justice system is an issue that brings Virginians together across education and ideological lines. The vast majority of Virginia residents support a range of reforms to the youth justice system designed to fundamentally shift focus and resources to prevention and rehabilitation instead of punishment and incarceration.

Linked here are key findings from a recent survey of 500 adults in the state of Virginia conducted by GBAO on behalf of the Youth First Initiative.

Latest News

Our Juneteenth celebration was an enormous success; we had over 300 people come out and support our youth out loud! The Keep Our Kids Free: Youth Talent Showcase lifted up youth singers, hip-hop artists, dance teams, mixed-media artists, and even a

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How does Virginia’s Juvenile Justice system impact health? Valerie Slater, Executive Director of RISE for Youth joined RHV to discuss the need to reform Virginia’s juvenile prisons.

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Thanks!

Thank you Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant for standing with youth and families and investing in community-based alternatives, not prison.

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Giving Thanks!

Thank you Sen. Mark Obenshain for helping our most vulnerable youth by investing community-based alternatives to prison.

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Growth Opportunities (GO! 2022) is supported by the Employment Training Administration of the Department of Labor as part of an award totaling $4 million with 0% financed from non-governmental sources.

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