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!
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.
B-day: October 12
As a RISE Youth Development Academy graduate and dedicated Youth Leader, I am passionate about creating pathways to success for young people who have faced challenges. I believes that no one’s worst moment should define their future. As a restorative justice circle co facilitator I use my skills and experiences to mentor peers and help build brighter futures and healthier communities. I believe in the power of second chances and I fight to ensure Virginia's youth are provided with the chance to let their brilliance shine.
B-day: February 10
As a RISE Youth Development Academy Graduate and a RISE Youth Leader, I am looking forward to being a part of making positive change happen for every youth n Virginia.
B-day: November 15
I am a motivated and adaptable professional and Youth Development Academy graduate. I am a skilled problem-solver, communicator, and I am passionate about changing my world so every young person can find their place to thrive.
B-day: March 15
I am a Youth Development Academy graduate and I believe in the power of change. I want to be a part of building a better future for all youth.
B-day: August 5
I am a progressive leader who goes above and beyond to excel in all aspects of life. I am a hardworking and determined person who desires the success of others as much, if not more, than for myself. I am an honest and dedicated leader, holding myself accountable to be a voice and an advocate for my generation. I strive to be an example to youths struggling to find their path to
success. RISE gives me a place to allow my passion to flow and make change.
B-day: October 29
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!
B-day: March 7
B-day: October 25