OUR STORY
Once upon a time, a group of people came together with one simple goal – to save lives. They refused to suffer in silence any longer and decided to take action. That’s how RISE TOGETHER was born.
RISE TOGETHER has been on a mission to educate, engage, and empower young people to use their voices for change for over a decade. They focus on preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health, and they’ve already reached over 275,000+ students.
At RISE TOGETHER, they know that every voice counts. They encourage young people to stand up and speak out on the issues that matter most to them, giving them the tools they need to make a difference in the world.
Through their grassroots efforts, they’ve ignited a movement of hope, saving lives. RISE TOGETHER is more than just a non-profit organization – they are a community of passionate individuals who believe in making a difference. They are dedicated to their cause, and their impact has been felt far and wide. So if you want to be part of something bigger than yourself, join RISE TOGETHER. Together, we can make a greater difference and save lives.
OUR FUTURE
Today, RISE TOGETHER empowers communities and creates strong YOUTH advocates and leaders.
Our solution involves providing educational programs, workshops, and youth training that are evidence-informed and data-supported. Our team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, educations, and skill sets works closely with communities to identify youth issues through a unique student research approach. We provide resources, education, and support to inspire youth to ask for help for the first time and motivate others to act toward a healthier lifestyle.
At RISE TOGETHER, we believe in the power of EDUCATION and TRAINING to drive positive change in our communities.
GET IN TOUCH
Don’t hesitate to reach out with the contact information below, or send a message using this form.
OUR TEAM
Anthony Alvarado
RISE Founding Member & Board Chair
A visionary that knew as a child they would grow up and change the world, beginning work at the young age of 14. Grew into various leadership roles over the past 20+ years, starting as a line manager at the local drive-through as a teenager to a forward-thinking accomplished Executive Director. Deeply proud to have spoken to hundreds of thousands of people about mental health and addiction, having developed 4 critical programs that drove youth leadership. Currently helping to publish 3 academic papers with the Penn State College of Medicine, which will help increase addiction prevention both statewide and nationally.
Nadine Machkovech
RISE Executive Director & Certified Coach
Nadine Machkovech is on a mission to change the world by igniting change and shining her light in a universe often filled with darkness. She has graced the TEDx stage, was profiled in Forbes, and received national survivor advocate recognition from the National Safety Council. She is dedicated to building a life centered around self-care, service, and reconnecting others to their greater purpose in life. With her motivational and inspirational style of storytelling, Nadine has the unique ability to empower, embolden, and authentically connect with any audience. She is a nationally sought-after, master-level speaker with over 1,500 hours of teaching.
Joseph Green
RISE Program Developer & Educator
Joseph Green is a spoken word artist, educator, and motivational speaker with over 20 years of experience creating dialogue that’s led to success in classrooms, boardrooms, and living rooms. Having facilitated over 5,000 workshops for audiences ranging from school-aged children to working adults, he has led conversations on inclusion, mindfulness, addiction, recovery, identify development, creative writing, youth empowerment, and more. Joseph crafts workshops with RISE that intertwine storytelling with spoken word where participants can reimagine and reconstruct how we can all understand wellness, community care, and self-empowerment.
Jesse Heffernan
RISE Vice Chair & Certified T.O.T.
Jesse is a recovery coach and consultant in long-term substance use and mental health recovery. Has coordinated substance use recovery support activities, events, and statewide conventions, brought recovery meetings into jails and institutions and created / co-facilitated the first youth-specific recovery support group in WI. He attended the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) Recovery Coach Academy and trained hundreds of coaches throughout the United States. Served as an appointed member of the WI Governors State Opiate/Heroin Task Force, co-developed programming, and facilitated training for coaches for Wisconsin’s first Recovery Coach AmeriCorps program, Recovery Corps.
Wendy Vander zanden
RISE Board Treasurer
Wendy has been working in tobacco prevention since 2007, first serving at the local coalition level and joining the team over at Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services. Wendy has a BA in Human Services and a Masters degree in Public Administration. Wendy enjoys learning about and integrating health equity into all the work she does, whether it be at home parenting her three kids, volunteering at local community organizations, or here with RISE.
Chris Wardlow
RISE Board Secretary
Chris Wardlow, MAT, CPS, is a substance abuse prevention specialist with Outagamie County and Catalpa Health. Chris provides technical assistance to communities, schools, agencies and organizations that are seeking to incorporate evidence-based strategies and services to prevent and reduce substance abuse among young people. He has a special interest in speaking to groups about practices and policies that promote mental health and resilience in children and adolescents – two powerful assets that help young people resist drugs, tobacco and alcohol.
“We were able to see this was not your ordinary “Say No To Drugs” presentation. Not only did the speakers share their challenges, but they also shared how they learned to forgive themselves and accept who they are. This is an important message for students and adults hoping to move past mistakes or missteps. Sometimes, we just need permission to let those things go.”
Jason Curtis
Principal – Nature Hill Intermediate School
“They exuded professionalism and care that sent a positive message to our students as they entered. My lasting memory of the day was watching how Anthony and Nadine effortlessly invoke pride, and self-awareness in even some of our most difficult students”
Ty Breitlow
Principal – Chilton High School
RISE TOGETHER 