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WHAT IS RISE ABOVE?

Rise Above Youth Empowerment Program is an opportunity for youth ages 12-18 to be mentored by adults (18+) in their community. The program includes educational events that aim to raise awareness surrounding mental health and substance use issues, provide youth with a safe space to advocate for themselves and educate youth on the resources in their community.

Rise Above is funded by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation through the Elevate Youth California Grant. This grant aims to increase youth activism, mentoring, and peer support in order to prevent youth substance use disorder.

 

The Rise Above program will focus on the following topics: 

  • Substance use prevention

  • How to spot an overdose and response

  • Mental health & mindfulness

  • Leadership & advocacy

  • Trauma-informed practices

  • Healthy relationships

  • Suicide prevention

  • Self-defense

  • LGBTQ+ topics

GET INVOLVED

Those involved will have the opportunity to participate in activities like escape rooms, self-defense classes, and monthly art nights at Kings Art Center in Hanford. Each event a mentor or youth attends will earn them a $100 Visa gift card!

The program's timeline is September-May. Most of the events are held after school on weekdays, with some exceptions for events scheduled outside of the organization (e.g., special runs like 3-5Ks, one-time events, limited by operating hours). The calendar is provided before the start of the program.

 

Application Process:

  1. Send in Youth Referral Form  (link below)

  2. Complete a parent/caregiver and child interview over the phone

  3. Parent/caregivers will receive a decision on whether this is an appropriate program for your child

  4. Rise Above will match your child with the perfect mentor

  5. The fun begins!

 
Complete Youth Referral Form
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BECOME A MENTOR

Mentors are active, fun-loving adult (18+) volunteers who enjoy spending time with children.

After being carefully screened, trained, and approved into our program, mentors are matched with a child or teen who shares common interests and personality traits. Once matched, mentors are responsible for building a positive relationship with their mentees by sharing fun, free activities on a regular basis.

Each mentor makes a one-year commitment and is expected to meet with their mentee for approximately 4-6 hours per month. Each relationship with the youth is supervised, and staff are present at every event.

It is important to remember that a mentor is NOT a substitute for a therapist, parent, babysitter, or a quick fix to behavioral issues.

Become a mentor

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT WORKGROUP

The Youth Engagement Workgroup is committed to empowering youth in Kings County to advocate for their health, wellness and future by creating change in their community through activism, education, and prevention.

Join the Youth Engagement Workgroup on the second Tuesday of every month from 11am-12pm via Zoom.

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Meetings in 2024 will be held in January, March, May, July, September, and November. 
Join Zoom HERE
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To find out more information, please contact

Aliyah Ortiz

Community Specialist

aliyah@kpfp.org

559.242.6483