Over the past month, we’ve continued building spaces where youth and adults can speak honestly, learn from one another, and strengthen the protective factors that help young people thrive.
RISE Hangouts Continue to Grow
RISE Hangouts continue to provide relaxed, welcoming spaces where young people can connect, talk honestly, and build supportive relationships with trusted adults and peers.
Our Program Director, Meghyn Scheffler, a RISE-recognized facilitator, continues to lead these spaces at the Community Living Room downtown Appleton. Last month, Meghyn hosted the first RISE Hangout at Electric City Chuter’s, expanding the program into a new community space where youth can come together in a safe and supportive environment.
These hangouts are intentionally designed to create opportunities for real conversation — the kind youth consistently tell us they need more of.
RISEconnection Training Underway
Our latest RISEconnection training cohort is moving forward, equipping educators, youth workers, and community leaders with tools to create environments where young people feel safe speaking honestly.
Through a mix of video modules, reflection, and live discussion, participants learn how to support youth conversations around mental health, identity, and substance use prevention.
When adults change how they listen and respond, youth conversations change too.
RISE in the Community
RISE continues to partner with organizations and events that prioritize youth wellbeing and community connection.
On March 20, Executive Director Nadine Machkovech will be speaking at HER Day in Oshkosh, joining both the daytime storytelling panel and the evening Legacy Dinner. HER Day also includes a Teen Summit, where youth have the opportunity to participate in conversations around leadership, mental health, and identity. A limited number of Teen Summit spots are still available.
RISE TOGETHER team will also be presenting at the upcoming NAMI Wisconsin Conference, connecting with mental health leaders and sharing prevention resources. Registration for the conference closes this Sunday.
Stories Still Save Lives
For over a decade, RISE TOGETHER has believed in the power of lived experience storytelling.
Our research, conducted in partnership with Penn State College of Medicine, shows that peer-led storytelling increases protective factors and reduces stigma around mental health and substance use.
When young people see others speak honestly about their experiences, they begin to realize they’re not alone.
And that realization can change everything.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the coming months, we’re excited to continue:
• expanding RISE Hangouts
• training adults through RISEconnection
• supporting youth leadership and storytelling
• building partnerships that strengthen prevention efforts across communities
Prevention isn’t just about stopping problems before they start.
It’s about creating environments where young people feel seen, supported, and connected.
And that work continues every day.
Bring RISE to Your Community
Schools, coalitions, and community organizations interested in bringing RISE programming to their region are invited to connect with our team.
Through RISEconnection training, youth storytelling assemblies, and connection-centered spaces like RISE Hangouts, we partner with communities to strengthen youth protective factors and create environments where young people feel safe speaking honestly about mental health and substance use.
To learn more about implementing the RISE Framework in your community, visit http://www.weallrisetogether.org or reach out to our team.