SAVE THE DATE
RISE 12: A Golden Celebration with Stories, Laughter, and Live Music
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 5–9PM
Gibson Community Music Hall – Appleton, WI
🎙️ Event Schedule & Lineup
- 5:00 PM – Doors Open Mocktails, food, raffle tables, and a community social hour to kick off the evening .
- 5:30 PM – Welcome & Public Reading by Nadine Machkovech Our Executive Director opens the night and shares a premiere reading from her upcoming book — a personal journey of healing and leadership.
- 6:00 PM – “No Sleep to Madness” A new spoken‑word and music collaboration between Anthony Alvarado and Alex Schotten (Lifted Poets Society), reflecting on recovery, resilience, and rising into hope.
- 6:30 PM – Comedian Kody Green Mental health advocate and stand‑up comic who transforms life experiences—incarceration, schizophrenia—into inspiring laughter and insight.
- 7:15 PM – RISE Reflections A shared moment to honor 12 years of impact, partnerships, and youth-centered change.
- 7:45 PM – Headliner: Femdot. (Femi Adigun) Chicago’s conscious rap powerhouse closes the night with truth, lyrical brilliance, and community-rooted storytelling. More than a performer—he’s an educator and mentor, founder of Delacreme Scholars.
- Emcee for the evening: Tamra Oman guides the flow of the night with poise and presence.
Tickets
VIP (premium perks, meet n greet, and more): $40 in advance
General Admission: $25 in advance | $30 at the door
Must be 21+ to attend.
100% of proceeds support school-based storytelling, youth prevention programs, and community training across Wisconsin and beyond.
Stay tuned to our blog and newsletter for sponsor recognition and partner spotlights leading into the event.
Program Updates & What’s Ahead
RISEconnection Training Launched
On Monday, July 28th our first public RISEconnection cohort kicked off—a 5‑week journey for educators, youth workers, and adult allies. Through healing-centered storytelling, connection practice, and prevention approaches, participants are being equipped to create safer spaces for youth. From mental health and SUD literacy to identity exploration and youth-centered engagement, this training is already creating impact.
➡ Interested in the next cohort? Registration opens for Fall 2025 soon.
Storytelling Training
Our most recent Quarterly Storytelling Workshop—led by Anthony Alvarado — was a powerful moment for speakers and advocates to deepen their narrative work.
The next training is scheduled for the end of September, embedded in a special storytelling + recovery prevention initiative in the Fox Valley.
➡ Details will be announced shortly.
New Partnership: WI DHS Tobacco Prevention
We’re proud to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Tobacco Prevention & Control Program to prevent youth tobacco and nicotine use through education, advocacy, and youth voice. By integrating storytelling and peer engagement into prevention, we’re helping to shift culture — one conversation and connection at a time.
Creating Safe Spaces for Youth — In Appleton & Beyond
In addition to our prevention work, we’re continuing to build safe, affirming spaces for youth to connect, create, and heal — both in schools and in community. Whether it’s through drop-in opportunities, educator training, conference connections, or events like RISE 12, we’re committed to making sure every young person knows they belong. -> Where RISE Is Next
Call to Action: Help Us Bring RISE 12 to Life
- A few sponsorship spots are still available — confirm by August 12 for full promotional perks
- We’re also looking for raffle basket donations, event volunteers, and a Thrivent Action Team to support this powerful night
- Every partnership helps expand our reach and deepen our impact
➡ Email us at risetogether@weallrisetogether.org to get involved.
Coming Soon: New Peer-Led Prevention Research
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of a research paper developed in partnership with the Penn State College of Medicine, focused on the power of peer-led prevention models. This report highlights the long-term impact of peer-led storytelling and school-based engagement — and puts data behind the movement we’ve been building for over a decade.
➡ Stay tuned for the full paper and official release.
From Appleton to across Wisconsin and beyond, this moment is about celebrating where we’ve been—and where we’re headed.
Stay connected: weallrisetogether.org
Support or partner with us: risetogether@weallrisetogether.org
#RISE12 #GoldenAnniversary #YouthVoiceMatters #WeAllRISETogether #CommunityHealing