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As students prepare to head back to school, conversations around youth mental health and substance use prevention become more important than ever. Recently, RISE TOGETHER had the opportunity to share that message with the community during a WBAY feature highlighting our prevention work in Brown and Shawano Counties and the upcoming RISE’s Lucky 13 Community…
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Every September 12th, our community comes together for one unforgettable night. On the surface, Lucky 13 is an anniversary celebration filled with live music, storytelling, local businesses, community organizations, and people from all walks of life. But behind every ticket purchased, every share, every sponsorship, and every volunteer is something much bigger. Lucky 13 helps…
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For more than 13 years, RISE TOGETHER has believed that prevention begins long before a young person faces a difficult decision. It begins with connection. It grows through trusted relationships, education, and communities that come together to support young people. That belief continues to guide our work through the Wisconsin Wins initiative. Over the past…
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As we prepare to celebrate 13 years of RISE TOGETHER, we’ve been reflecting on one simple truth: Connection changes lives. Over the last 13 years, RISE TOGETHER has had the privilege of engaging more than 500,000 youth through storytelling, prevention education, leadership development, and community engagement. What started as a small group of people has…
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As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that awareness is only the beginning. Through 13 years of working alongside young people, schools, and communities, we’ve learned that connection, belonging, and trusted relationships remain some of the most powerful protective factors in prevention.
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One of the biggest things we’ve learned over the years is this: young people don’t need another lecture. They need spaces where they feel safe enough to actually be real. Not performative. Not forced. Not another adult standing in front of a room talking at them for an hour. Real connection. The kind that happens…
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I went back to the room where I shared my story for the very first time—this time leading it. What happened next was a reminder of why connection matters, and what becomes possible when people feel safe enough to tell the truth.
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RISE TOGETHER continues expanding youth connection spaces, training educators through RISEconnection, and partnering with communities to strengthen youth mental health and prevention.
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For the past six months, RISE TOGETHER has been actively engaged in tobacco prevention efforts through our ongoing partnership with Wisconsin Wins(WI Wins), part of Wisconsin’s Tobacco Prevention & Control Program. This work includes public awareness efforts and supporting community compliance initiatives that reduce illegal tobacco AND nicotine sales to minors. Recently, new statewide media…
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As we move into the next two months, RISE TOGETHER is focused on what matters most: delivering evidence-based, peer-led programming that strengthens connection, reduces stigma, and supports young people long before crisis. Here’s a look at what’s ahead and how our work continues to grow across schools and communities. RISEconnection Training (February–March) This spring, RISE…