IN-PRISON PROGRAM VOLUNTEERING

  • Time Commitment: 1-2 hours
    Locations: Home

    Volunteers will be assigned a RISE In Prison program participant and will spend time researching questions they have for the business idea they will pitch.

    Frequency:
    Online Coaching is available for signup as needed. Typically, Online Coaching opportunities are open for registrations every 3 months.

    Requirements:

    • Expertise in the area of focus their RISE participant is interested in
    • Computer
    • Internet service

    Get Notified For These Opportunities

  • Time Commitment: 5-8 hours
    Locations: Omaha, Lincoln, York

    This In-Prison Program Milestone Event is a 5-8 hour time commitment taking place inside one of five Nebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS) facilities.

    In-Prison Program Coaching Days are typically held at the three-month mark of curriculum completion. RISE staff and NDCS-approved community volunteers spend a full day inside the prison facility with program participants going over resumes, cover letters, personal statements, mock interviews, and business ideations.

    Lunch, coffee, water, and snacks provided.

    Frequency:
    In-Prison Coaching is available for signup as needed. Typically, In-Prison Coaching opportunities are open to NDCS-approved volunteers for registrations every 3 months.

    Requirements:

    • NDCS volunteer clearance prior to event
    • This process takes 90 days+. Email here to begin the process.
    • Registration through our website at least 30 days prior to event
    • NDCS dress code

    Find Upcoming Dates

  • Time Commitment: 8-10 hours
    Locations: Omaha, Lincoln, York

    Volunteers sit on panels and serve as judges throughout the morning hearing program participants' business pitches. Volunteers score the pitches and vote for the participants who will move on to the next round of pitching. Top participants will then pitch again while peers, volunteers, and guests vote, and the winners of the competition are announced. There is a cap and gown ceremony and certificates are awarded. Sharing of testimonies from participants, staff, volunteers, and family members concludes this meaningful day!

    Lunch, coffee, water, and snacks provided.

    Frequency: In-Prison Business Pitch Competition Judging is available for signup as needed.

    Typically, In-Prison Business Pitch Competition Judging opportunities are available to NDCS- approved volunteers for registrations every 3 months.

    Requirements:

    • NDCS volunteer clearance prior to event
    • This process takes 90 days+. Email Chantal Wentz here to begin that process.
    • Registration through our website at least 30 days prior to event
    • NDCS dress code

    Find Upcoming Dates

  • Learn more about bringing in a large group to a RISE In-Prison Program Milestone event here!

Silver car driving down the highway

Reentry VOLUNTEERING

  • RISE Community Navigators often spend time with our friends reacclimating to the community over a meal. Donations of gift cards to quick spots to be used by our Navigators with program participants would be a huge blessing to them and our organization.

    Provide a meal here..

  • Time Commitment: As needed.
    Locations: Your location

    Purchase and provide essentials to our friends coming out of incarceration. Each builder bag is filled with everyday items most take for granted, like laundry detergent, deodorant, shampoo, and more. 

    Each bag is valued at roughly $100- a huge burden to many working to afford rent, parole, ankle monitor fees, child support, gas, and so much more as they reenter into communities.

    Frequency: Twice per month

    Requirements:

    • Visit our Amazon Wishlist to purchase needed items and it will be shipped directly to the RISE office. 
    • If you choose to support smaller, local businesses, you can purchase similar essential items to our wishlist and ship them to: RISE at 3555 Farnam St. Ste. #501 | Omaha, NE 68131

    Skip the shopping and sponsor a “Welcome Home” Bag here.

RISE BUSINESS ACADEMY VOLUNTEERING

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours
    Locations: RISE Omaha Office (3555 Farnam Street #501, Omaha, NE 68131)

    Speaking on a Wednesday night to the class on one of the following topics (or a small business topic not listed here that you think would add value to the class)

    Class topics include: 
    Accounting and taxes
    Protecting your business (permits, insurance, etc.) 
    Marketing your business
    Financing your business / Financial Projections
    Preparing a business plan / Business structures
    Social media for your business
    Know your Why (mindset, mission and vision, etc.).
    Business ideas and opportunities
    Hiring vs. Contracting
    Sales
    Sharing your personal small business story, successes, lessons learned, Q&A, etc.
    Computers/Technology/Software

    Frequency: As needed. Classes take place Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm.

    Requirements:
    •     Experience in your topic of choice.

    Email Dr. TJ Dickson here for more information.

  • Time Commitment: Once per week for a minimum of one hour for 6-8 weeks.
    Locations: Various: Omaha, Lincoln, Zoom

    Meet/chat with your RISE Business Academy mentee once per week (or with some agreed-upon frequency) and support their business plan, business pitch, answer questions, coach them, etc. We will pair you with someone that makes sense based on your background and the type of business they want to start.

    Frequency: Every 12 weeks

    Requirements:
    •     Experience in your field/topic of choice.

    Email Dr. TJ Dickson about becoming a RISE Business Academy Mentor/Coach here.

  • Time Commitment: 3-4 hours
    Locations: Omaha or Lincoln

    The Business Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for RISE Business Academy participants to pitch and receive constructive feedback about the viability of their businesses from experienced executives, entrepreneurs, and investors while competing for prizes, payable to their business.

    Judges will have a brief amount of me to deliberate privately after all presenters have pitched. Judges will rank participants based on the following criteria: 

    • Clarity and persuasiveness of presentation 

    • Feasibility and scalability of business concept 

    • Credibility and leadership potential of the entrepreneur 

    • Potential to hire RISE graduates

    Frequency: As needed.

    Requirements:
    •     Expertise in areas of small business and entrepreneurship.

    To receive more information on becoming a RISE Business Academy Business Pitch Competition Judge, email Dr. TJ Dickson here.

YOUTH + FAMILY PROGRAM VOLUNTEERING

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours for 2 weeks
    Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 501 | Omaha, NE 68131

    Working with the RISE Youth & Family Program’s Family Wellness Collective to create art of many kinds in correlation with the programming topics being discussed.

    Frequency: Two Friday evenings from 6-8 pm.

    Mediums needed: 
    • Painting (murals, smaller pieces, personal pieces), woodwork, ceramics, digital, etc.
    • Music
    • Spoken word / Poetry

    Requirements:
    •     Experience in your medium of choice
    • Ability to teach adults and kids
    • Ability to empathize

    For more information on becoming a Volunteer Community Artist, email Geri Knight here.

  • Food builds community! It cultivates family connections, socialization, and a sense of belonging.

    The RISE Family Wellness Collective provides a Friday evenig dinner to all its participants.

    If you would like to sponsor a meal, gift cards to these spots are greatly appreciated! Please contact Geri Knight, Director of Youth and Family Programs, to tell her you’ve sent a gift card or if you would like to utilize a local caterer.

POLICY + ADVOCACY VOLUNTEERING

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours for 2 weeks
    Location: Various

    For more information, contact Jasmine Harris here.

NON-PROGRAM RELATED VOLUNTEERING

  • Time Commitment: As needed
    Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 501 | Omaha, NE 68131

    Assist based on your area of expertise. Such as, if an attorney of the law,  providing legal support, reviewing agreements, assisting with implementation of new partnerships through MOUs and contract building. 

    Frequency: As needed

    Requirements:
    • Educational requirements as dictated by the area you're providing support in

    For more information providing pro bono support, email Sarah Bartolomei here.

  • Time Commitment: As needed.
    Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 222 | Omaha, NE 68131

    Assist with organizing paperwork, mailing, and data entry. 

    Frequency: As needed

    Requirements:
    •     Organizational skills
    • Computer
    • Transportation to and from the RISE office

    For more information on administrative volunteerism, email Chantal Wentz here.

  • Time Commitment: Moments!
    Locations: RISE Website

    Donations to the RISE Annual Fund are used where needed most and provide the financial foundation for all the work we do to serve our mission to break generational cycles of incarceration. 

    This includes RISE reentry programming at 7 NE state correctional facilities, incentive pre and post-release case management services, job readiness training, entrepreneurship training, housing, and support the basic needs for citizens returning to the community from incarceration.

    Frequency: As available, weekly, monthly, annually- well graciously take it all!

    Requirements:
    • Financial willingness

  • Join the growing community of RISE Employment Partners. RISE is seeking well-paying employment opportunities to plug our Builders into. 

    Frequency: As needed

    Requirements:
    •     Educational requirements as dictated by the area you're providing support in

    Contact December Jennings, Director of Employment Services, here for more information.