At Rise Up Industries, we support formerly gang involved and at-risk individuals in their quest for a better, more meaningful life. We extend a rich array of services that not only counsel participants, but also provide opportunities for personal and professional advancement.
Rise Up Industries thrives to emulate the business model and best practice of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. We further operate several social enterprises that serve as job training sites and help to partially off-set our funding needs.
Through our reentry program, we assist those wishing to leave gang life behind and transform themselves into productive members of society. Positive results of our program are:
* productive and satisfying lives for individuals and their family
* reduction in gang membership and safer communities
* reduction in the rate of recidivism and cost of incarceration
* breaking the generational cycle of gang life
* reduced recruitment of adolescents into criminal activities
During our 18-month paid training program, we provide job skill training, work ethic development and paid employment in our social enterprises.
We further address the physical, mental, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of those we serve. Services include:
* mentoring
* counseling
* education
* tattoo removal
* case management
* community service
* health/fitness programs
* spiritual programs
* life skills training
* job placement services
Kinship
A key factor that drives youth to join gangs is a desire to belong to a community. Those leaving incarceration need to have community. Many times the only community that they have are gang related. Our staff and volunteers understand, create and provide an environment that is accepting and genuinely interested in its members.
Long-Term
Our members are actively involved in programming, job training or employment, 40 hours per week for 18 months. Graduates will be encouraged to become lifetime Rise Up Industry alumni, . committing to our principle of kinship. Our alumni are family, welcomed back and encouraged to stay connected. Their continued contributions as employees, volunteers, coaches, mentors, credible messengers, speakers, etc. will assist in the long-term sustainability of the program.
Jobs
We employ our members with interim paid employment in one of our social enterprises, while they are working on their other assessed needs. This interim employment provides income, skill training, work ethic development and builds their confidence and sense of self worth. Studies have shown that employers are more likely to hire an ex-offender who has been through a job training program with favorable evaluations from their supervisor.
Spiritual
Many ex-offenders who have successfully turned their lives around have indicated that some conversion/faith experience was instrumental in their change and continued success. Our intent is to collaborate with existing faith communities in receiving our members, so that their fellowship experience continues beyond our program.
Comprehensive
We comprehensively address all the needs of our members. Some of these needs are met by other agencies or non-profits with whom we collaborate to ensure long-term success.
Education
We reinforce the value of education. We encourage and assist our members to obtain a high school diploma/GED as a minimum. Additionally, we will encourage further education/career training as required to meet their career & employment goals.
Collaboration
Gangs are a community issue, they negatively impact the entire community, and the solution will require the involvement of the entire community; schools, local government agencies, faith communities, neighborhood volunteers and local businesses. While our communities are supporting our members, our members will be giving back through community service projects. Our graduates, integrated back into the communities, will be self supporting through employment with local businesses. Employed, tax paying graduates, prepared to be responsible parents and inspired to help those who follow, will help create the environments where our youth no longer seek gang life to meet their need to belong.
