Thousands of people who are incarcerated in Nebraska’s county jails will have access to voting rights information this week thanks to a mass mailing organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska and reentry organization RISE. Educational pamphlets produced by the organizations began arriving at the jails yesterday.

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.

When Ray returned to the community, he struggled like so many do. Addiction took over and he lost touch with us. He went back to prison. But he came back home, he reached back out, and RISE was here. We'll always be here if they're ready.

Meet the RISE Staff! This week, meet Maeve Hemmer, RISE Community Navigator!

Meet the RISE Staff! This week, meet Charita Dailey, Director of Development

RISE provides "Welcome Home" bags to all RISE graduates who return home. Valued at over $100, each bag includes personal care items like body wash, shampoo, laundry detergent and towels. We all know how expensive a trip for essentials like this can be - lifting this one financial burden means a lot to us and the people we serve.

Although Nebraska has an unemployment rate of 2.3%, the state is faced with a workforce shortage.

We believe that people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system are the most integral voices in advocating for change. Nebraska needs all of its citizens to vote, there should not be a wait to participate.

Nebraska's 108th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session began yesterday, January 3rd, and it was right to business. Learn more about the day and how to follow along here.

"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.”

The RISE Business Academy (RBA) is now accepting applications for it’s 9th Cohort starting January 17, 2024.

The RBA is a 12-week program led by Dr. TJ Dickson, held just three times a year with a Business Pitch Competition and Graduation taking place at the end of each cohort.