The 9th RISE prison program cohort at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women has officially graduated! These women presented innovative business ideas to volunteers and family members, gaining not only entrepreneurial skills but also confidence, hope, and a renewed sense of connection. At RISE, our prison program empowers participants to rebuild their futures and strengthen community ties.

Meet Dr. Tommy Moore – RISE’s accomplished entrepreneur, athlete, and passionate leader. As a RISE In-Prison Program Associate, he brings excellence and adaptability to every classroom, now leading at Tecumseh and providing continuing education across all five Nebraska prison facilities. Alongside his role at RISE, Dr. Tommy runs a full therapeutic practice in Florida. His dedication to personal growth, leadership, and education continues to transform outcomes for justice-impacted individuals.

"Teaching is how I show love, by walking alongside those we serve; not just pointing to better paths, but living them out myself," Jon expressed. "In doing so, I help bring out the best in others, giving them space to grow and walk their own journey with confidence and purpose."

On April 16th, 2025 18 participants confidently pitched their business ideas to 37 community volunteers (!!!) and crossed the graduation stage with purpose. RISE has now celebrated 836 In-Prison Program graduates and counting!

On March 28th, 21 RISE participants pitched their business ideas to 21 community volunteers, celebrated their growth with over 30 loved ones, and graduated with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

Through our partnership with Southeast Community College, participants who complete the RISE program can now receive 3 credit hours for the course ENTR1050: Introduction to Entrepreneurship.

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

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.

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

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.

At RISE, our mission is to end the generational cycles of incarceration. Our mission comes to fruition in a variety of ways.

RISE announced a donation of $20,000 from the Medica Foundation, a community-focused giving arm of Medica funding health initiatives across Nebraska. Medica’s funding of $20,000 goes directly to supporting RISE’s In-Prison Program and Youth & Family Program.

The RISE In-Prison Program continued to have programming delays in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as facilities would go into lockdowns for weeks - even months on end. However, our program participants and peer facilitators stayed focused and determined, often meeting with their fellow classmates in housing units, which allowed the program to stay on course.