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.

This month, Terrance "came home" and spent time at our new RISE office in Omaha and received his "Welcome Home" bag.

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.

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.

RISE is delighted to announce the generous gift of $10,000 from King of Kings Church in Omaha, Nebraska. The generosity of King of Kings will allow for RISE’s Community Navigation team to provide hygiene essential packs to RISE graduates returning home after incarceration.

RISE not only opened a reentry office in Lincoln last month but also moved from the second floor of the Blackstone Plaza to the fifth floor. September was…wild, chaotic, thrilling, sweaty, hard, beautiful, and joyful.

RISE is pleased to announce the opening of a new Lincoln-based reentry office in the old Lincoln Literacy Building located at 745 S. 9th Street. RISE will host an open house event for the community on Friday, October 6th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a ribbon cutting at 3:15 PM and remarks from RISE Board Member and Lincoln resident, Ava Thomas at 3:30 PM.

As we find the end of summer drawing near, this means the interim session is upon us and the next legislative session is quickly approaching; just like the change in the seasons. With the change of the legislative sessions, we'll start to look for the implementation of the laws passed at the end of the 108th Legislative 1st session.

At 18, Les was homeless, jobless, and had very few personal belongings - he came to our office wearing his county-issued shower shoes. Les was and is...alone. He's 18. A kid. Alone.

Les was paired up with Jon, a RISE Case Manager, who began working compassionately to determine his greatest needs.

Everyone is eager to learn more about the changes LB50 will have for our Builders and people we all know and care about.

Like so many others, "Ben" didn't win this particular battle of addiction when he came home the first time. He served 2 more years back in prison. But his army, RISE and this community of ours - YOU - didn't stop having his back.

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!

These shared dinners would not be possible without the food! So a special thank you to all the vendors who make these dinners possible. The food helps create a welcoming and enticing offer for families and participants to come back every 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 Nebraska Unicameral ended two days early yesterday, but not before LB50 passed its final round of debate with a vote of 34-15!

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.