Skip to main content

Policy & Advocacy

Take Action

Stay up to date with our calls to action by visiting this section or reading our policy update emails. Get involved and help change the landscape of the criminal justice system in Nebraska.

Receive Advocacy Alerts
First Name *
Last Name *
I want to receive updates on:
How do you prefer to be contacted?
If you don't know, you can go to this website and type in your address: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php

Upcoming Events & Articles

2023

Select a Date to View

Nebraska's 4th Annual Day of Empathy

Friday, February 24, 2023
9:30 am1:30 pm
Nebraksa Day of Empathy

Come join RISE and other community partners in Nebraska's 4th Annual Day of Empathy! On Friday, February 24th come let your voice be heard!

This event is to create awareness and share information with our state senators about the impacts that introduced legislation has on the lives of justice-involved people. Influencing legislation with your voice and presence is critical in creating positive change.

This is your opportunity to meet with legislators to help grow their understanding through your experiences and perspectives.

Come join us to advocate for fair chance hiring and occupational licensing to remove barriers from work and career advancement; voting rights restoration; sentencing restructuring; parole and probation reform; and so much more.

The only thing missing from this day is you! Come let your voice be heard!

SIGN UP HERE: https://www.mobilize.us/dream/event/549108/

Free to Care Documentary Viewing - Second Chance Hiring in Nebraska

Free to Care Film Screening

GET TICKETS HERE:
https://bit.ly/3J8m6gI

The Platte Institute, RISE, The Institute for Justice, and Iron Light Labs invite you to a complimentary screening of the short documentary Free To Care and a post-screening discussion of second chance hiring in Nebraska.

This free event will take place on Tuesday, March 7th from 4:30pm to 7pm at the Ross Theatre located at 313 N 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.

19 million Americans have a felony record. Unfortunately, many of them are prohibited from an opportunity to truly escape their past. For example, in 15 states many Americans with criminal records are disqualified from being barbers, bartenders, cosmetologists, landscapers, nurses, and dozens more careers.

Free to Care is a short documentary that tells the inspiring story of Lisa Creason. Lisa was denied her dream in nursing. So she took matters into her own hands, and changed the profession forever for thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals like her. But the fight isn’t over. This discussion will highlight Lisa’s story of redemption, and outline how Nebraska can leverage storytelling as a powerful tool to help change the law here because everyone deserves the right to pursue their passion and be free to care.

Tickets are free, but must be reserved ahead of time via Eventbrite.
https://bit.ly/3J8m6gI

About The Film

When Lisa was 19, she attempted to rob a local business. It was an act of desperation to feed her infant daughter, and resulted in a criminal record she couldn’t escape. At 34 years old, Lisa wanted to provide a better future for her children and enrolled in nursing school – a career she is passionate about and had an aptitude for. While studying, however, Illinois passed a law that would have prevented Lisa from becoming a nurse, due to her criminal record. Lisa refused to accept this future. She teamed up with her local state think tank, Illinois Policy Institute. Together they began fighting tooth and nail to overturn the law – and they succeeded within 15 months. Because of her determination, today Lisa works as a registered nurse and has purchased her first home.

But Lisa’s story doesn’t end there. As she shares in the film, “one person can start a movement.” While Lisa succeeded in Illinois, many states unfortunately still have barriers for Americans with criminal records. Thousands of formerly incarcerated people are prevented from working as healthcare professionals, barbers, bartenders, cosmetologists, landscapers, and dozens of other professions.

Event Schedule:
4:30pm Doors Open
5:00pm Event Starts
5:40 Q&A Discussion
6:00pm Post-Screening Reception
7:00pm Event Ends

RISE Policy Power Hour with Jasmine Harris

Policy Power Hour in Nebraska with Jasmine Harris

Join RISE's Jasmine Harris for an hour of policy and advocacy updates going on in the Nebraska legislature.

Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Agenda:
5:00-5:30: Guests arrive for social time
5:30-6:30: Policy presentation from Jasmine Harris
6:30: Event concludes

RISE's 1st Annual Giving Day!

Thursday, April 27, 2023

More information to come! Save the Date!

RISE Social Hour

Thursday, May 11, 2023
5:00 pm MDT7:30 pm MDT

Join RISE for food, drinks and community building.

This event is in conjunction with the RISE Reentry Simulation taking place on Friday, May 12th at the Gering Civic Center. You can register for the Reentry Simulation here: qrco.de/bdlYrH

Because we have a unicameral, the only one in the country, everyday Nebraskans are the second house. Our job is to weigh in on these important issues and let lawmakers know how these policies will impact our families, people we serve and our communities. 

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is composed of over 30 statewide and local organizations.  Our mission is to remove barriers to civic participation for those impacted by the criminal justice system. We want everyone to be able to access their right to vote, serve on a jury, and run for office.

Use and share this guide before heading out to the polls on election day!

MENU CLOSE