RISE is a re-entry program with a mission to help people both inside and outside prison get back on their feet.

"We're helping them with housing, employment, healthy relationships, building a healthy peer community of others who are navigating carceral systems and coming home," said Jeremy Bouman, CEO of RISE.

On June 11th, 2024 the 9th RISE Cohort at the Omaha Correctional Center pitched their business ideas and graduated!

"I've been told that I've matured and have become more disciplined, I am not as quick to be angered, and I've become more educated because of this program and others.”

Evan graduated from RISE's In-Prison Program in June and has spent the last several months working with his RISE Community Navigator, Cody, as he transitioned down to the community correctional center.

In February, 129 people volunteered their time by reviewing the cover letters, resumes, and business ideations of our 8th cohort at the Omaha Correctional Center. We are SO excited to share that they graduated last week!

Research has shown that staying connected with family while incarcerated is wildly beneficial. It improves health, behavior, and can reduce the likelihood individuals will return to prison after being released.

The Fatherhood Initiative is a statewide program of Lutheran Family Services (LFS), in partnership with Legal Aid of Nebraska, RISE, and in collaboration with Sarpy County.

Research has shown that staying connected with family while incarcerated is wildly beneficial. It improves health, behavior, and can reduce the likelihood individuals will return to prison after being released.

With only 8 days left in the 108th Legislature, 1st session, criminal justice reform is now on the agenda for debate today. Contact your senators now and ask them to vote for the data-driven policies in LB50 with AM1436 to reduce the state’s prison growth, while promoting public safety and reducing recidivism.

“The blessing of taking RISE has given me just the littlest hope that there is life outside of lockup.”

Reentry is crisis. It's not uncommon to have a roof over your head one day and the threat of it being gone the next. Access to housing can help improve public safety, as research has shown it is correlated with decreases in crime and recidivism.

In February of 2022, RISE launched a pilot in-unit program at the Nebraska State Penitentiary where program participants live together in an intentional learning community while attending classes five days a week.

Andy is currently taking the Business Essentials portion of RISE's In Prison Program while finishing his time at a community corrections center. He's dyslexic and has never received assistance or treatment for his learning challenges.

In 2022 we held two RISE Business Academy (RBA) cohorts and one graduation with seven graduates. 11 of our 19 program graduates currently have their businesses in operation.

Dr. TJ Dickson became the Director of the RBA in July 2022. She facilitated Cohort 5 and graduated the largest cohort thus far.

The past two weeks at the legislature have been a whirlwind and it’s set to continue. With 812 legislative bills and 31 legislative resolutions/constitutional amendments introduced, the unicameral has its work cutout.

Classes begin January 18, 2023

Application deadline: January 9th, 2022

RISE founder and CEO, Jeremy Bouman, was invited to the unComfotable Conversations about Culture & Christianity podcast created by Christ Community Church.

RISE received iPads from the Bellevue Papillion Rotary Club in September as a means of case management support in the field. The flexible use and portability is essential to RISE Reentry Specialists as they work one-on-one with program participants navigating their reentry post-incarceration.

Before her opportunity to graduate the RISE In-Prison Program, Jen was moved to a different facility, the Community Correctional Center in Lincoln (often called work release). That didn’t stop her.

The first in-unit cohort of the RISE In-Prison Program at the Nebraska State Penitentiary continues to be progressing well. This is a group of men living in an intentional learning community and going to class together.