By Ani Schutz, Silicon Prairie News

The RISE Business Academy has graduated its 13th cohort, adding eight new businesses led by entrepreneurs impacted by the justice system to Nebraska’s small business landscape. Through mentorship, practical training and community support, the 12-week program helps participants turn personal challenges into thriving ventures.

"Teaching is how I show love, by walking alongside those we serve; not just pointing to better paths, but living them out myself," Jon expressed. "In doing so, I help bring out the best in others, giving them space to grow and walk their own journey with confidence and purpose."

On April 24, 2025, RISE hosted its first RISE Business Academy Showcase in Nebraska—celebrating reentry entrepreneurs and small businesses. Held at Green Line Coffee, the event featured local vendors offering kombucha, baked goods, therapeutic services, and more. A powerful example of community support for reentry and entrepreneurship through RISE.

Give to Lincoln Day is Thursday, May 29th and your support can go even further.

On May 29th, 2025 every donation made to RISE through Give to Lincoln helps amplify our mission to break the generational cycles of incarceration.

On April 16th, 2025 18 participants confidently pitched their business ideas to 37 community volunteers (!!!) and crossed the graduation stage with purpose. RISE has now celebrated 836 In-Prison Program graduates and counting!

‘I draw the line at withholding food from someone as a form of consequence.’

Yesterday, Governor Pillen vetoed LB319, Senator Victor Rountree’s priority bill to end Nebraska’s lifetime Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) ban for people with certain drug felony convictions.

Today, May 14th, 2025, the Nebraska Legislature voted to pass LB319, by and large ending the lifetime ban on SNAP benefits for people with one set of felony convictions.

Advocacy groups spoke out against the Legislature's vote today to move a criminal and

juvenile justice package from general file to select, with amendments expanding felony offenses and

allowing the detention of children as young as 11 and youth at risk of self-harm.

On March 28th, 21 RISE participants pitched their business ideas to 21 community volunteers, celebrated their growth with over 30 loved ones, and graduated with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

Leadership takes many forms—whether it’s driving change within a Fortune 500 company or transforming lives through second chances.

"We all have a role in our community," Olivia exclaimed. "I help our program participants and graduates bring their experiences into the rooms where laws get made so that the proposed policies can work better for all of us."

RISE's Policy & Advocacy team invites you to join us for all of our upcoming events! We have a few ways for you all to get involved with advocacy efforts in the community and at the capitol.

How to prepare yourself for a Second Chance Career and Resource Fair.

This is the beginning of a biennium, where our unicameral operates in 2-year terms, and this year is the long session with 90 legislative days. This means we will see senators working to address the concerns of Nebraska through the beginning of June. 

“I am an abuse survivor.” Keith is reading the words written on the picture of a blank face off the crumbled up piece of paper he just picked up off the floor.

21 men are sitting in a circle in the big room at Sozo Coffeehouse in downtown Omaha where Randall leads a monthly men’s wellness coffee.

Congratulations to the first cohort of the RISE Leadership Academy!

Through our partnership with Southeast Community College, participants who complete the RISE program can now receive 3 credit hours for the course ENTR1050: Introduction to Entrepreneurship.

Background barriers to employment, whether direct or indirect, can significantly impact an individual's ability to secure and maintain a job.

RISE is honored to be awarded an Impact Grant from FNBO supporting workforce development for formerly incarcerated individuals in Nebraska.