In the Press
2025
July 2025
An Investment in Hope and Second Chances
Rise Up Industries’ machine operator training program enables former gang members to find sustainable employment and successful reentry into society. It has recently expanded into a new facility in San Diego and support is always welcome.
June 2025
City Council OKs $43.5M action plan to boost housing, economic opportunities
The San Diego City Council Monday approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Action Plan, slated to distribute $43.5 million in federal grants to local housing- and economic-focused organizations and nonprofits.
June 2025
Rise Up Industries Expands into New Southeastern San Diego Facility.
Empowering formerly gang-involved individuals recently released from incarceration with paid, 18-month apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.
June 2025
New $5M machine shop helping former gang members find jobs after life behind bars
Rise Up Industries, a non-profit based in San Diego, is trying to help foster change as former incarcerated gang members struggle to find jobs in most part of the nation.
June 2025
Celebrating the summer with RULA!
Youth Tennis San Diego proudly partnered with the Rise Up Leadership Academy (RULA) this school year! To celebrate an incredible year of growth, teamwork, and tennis, we wrapped up with a well-deserved field trip to Barnes Tennis Center and Belmont Park - a celebration of tennis, teamwork, friendship, FUN—and the perfect kickoff to SUMMER!
2024
2023
April 2023
SANDAG Alternatives to Incarceration Project Final Report.
Rise Up Industries’ job training program is recommended to San Diego County for further evaluation and possible expansion.
2022
December 2022
A reentry program teaching the tools of an in-demand trade
The RUI Reentry Program prepares the formerly incarcerated for careers as CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machine operators.
October 2022
September 2022
Episode 4 of Breaking the Cycle dropped on September 30, 2022. In this episode, Mike, Rise Up Industries’ apprentice, interviews his shop supervisor Darren about what it’s like to build a career in CNC Machining after doing time. Mike then demonstrates how to square a block on the Prototrak.
August 2022
July 2022
Practical Machinist, the largest manufacturing network in the US, invited Rise Up Industries to do a 6-part video series featuring our members’ stories and projects from the machine shop. In this episode, Joseph, Senior member in the Reentry Program, models a step-by-step set up on dual vises and shares hiring tips.
July 2022
Catholic Answers Focus released a podcast interview yesterday with Joe Gilbreath, Executive Director, and Mike Lucero, Reentry Program Member, called “Hope and Life After Prison.”
June 2022
Practical Machinist, the largest manufacturing community in the US, invited Rise Up Industries to do a 6-part video series featuring our members’ stories and projects from the machine shop. Check out our first video and be sure not to miss Joseph and Mike giving a tour of the shop (10:40 timestamp)!
June 2022
March 2022
January 2022
Alliance Healthcare Foundation featured Rise Up Industries inn their Transforming Our Community newsletter on January 25, 2022.
2021
July 2021
Rise Up Industries is featured as a grant recipient of Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s San Diego Mission Support funding for 2021-2024.
May 20221
18 Innovative Employment Social Enterprise Leaders Selected for 2021 REDF Accelerator.
May 2021
SAN DIEGO COUNTY COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS & NONPROFIT LOAN PROGRAM
Congratulations to Rise Up Industries & MindSet Charter Schools!
March 2021
Rise Up Industries is listed as the featured investment of Mission Driven Finance, a member of B Local San Diego.
November 2020
October 2020
Rise Up Industries was one of eight awardees mentioned in The Del Mar Times’ article titled, “First $1.5M deployed to San Diego County nonprofits hit by COVID-19,” Oct 13, 2020.
October 2020
October 2020
September 2020
2020 CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
July 2020
Rise Up Industries made the front page of the local section of the Sunday paper in The San Diego Union Tribune: Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, “Another Chance at Life,” The San Diego Union Tribune, July 12, 2020.
June 2020
February 2020
Leslie Willis discusses Rise Up Industries with radio host Paula Shaw in this episode titled, “Conceive, Believe, Achieve.” Feb 2020.
2019
November 2019
The San Diego County District Attorney (DA)’s Office is removing tattoos for people who are looking for a fresh start in life – and in their appearance.
The DA’s free laser tattoo removal program started a year ago and helps people remove unwanted tattoos that are gang or human trafficking-related.
“I paroled maybe 3 years ago. So, for the first 2 years, it was a struggle for me because I was no longer that gang member,” said Manuel Chavez, tattoo removal participant.
November 2019
The DA’s Office is helping people move on with their lives by getting rid of unwanted tattoos.
Watch more in this video
November 2019
Interview with Joe Gilbreath Founder / Director of RISE Up Industries.
Their mission is to minimize gang involvement by providing integrated gang prevention, gang intervention, and post-detention reentry programs.
At RISE (Respect, Integrity, Spirituality, Empowerment) UP (Unity and Perseverance) 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.
October 2019
Dustin Greeves, our Machine shop manager, who is altering the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals who are committed to change, talked about Rise Up Industries Mission at Rise Up Network
“At the end of the day, we are all human beings who deserve a second chance”
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2mYzTPt
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XlMPMx
Listen on Podbean: https://bit.ly/2mYT37T
May 2019
Nonprofit gives gang members, former inmates second chance
Click here to read the whole article.
May 2019
Nonprofit gives gang members, former inmates second chance, career path. Please click here to read the whole article.
April 2019
Rise Up helps former inmates make transition to new life. Please click here to read the whole article.
April 2019
LIFE Week: Discussing Dignity of Human Life in All Forms
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019
Politics and Law, Admissions, Catholic Social Thought, Changemaker, Academics, Community Engagement, Faith
February 2019
2018
December 2018
A Shop That Rises Up to Help On Many Levels’
This CNC machine-operator training program helps individuals prepare for sustainable employment as a vital element for successful reentry into society and departure from gang life.
November 2018
November 2018
October 2018
August 2018
Thank you Made in California for your recognition! We are happy to participate in the Made in California Program.
2017
December 2017
Thank you CNC-West for putting together such an amazing article!
Click here to read > CNC- West article.
September 2017
TASTE OF ITALY
Our member Daniel M. is getting close to graduating! He’ll be our first RUI graduate! We’re so proud of him!
2016
September 2016
2015
December 2015
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015
It’s been an amazing year! We thank you all for your love and support!
2014
December 2014
ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2014
It’s been an amazing year! We thank you all for your love and support!