Rise Youth and Family Program
Healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities.
ABOUT THE RISE Youth and Family Program:
The RISE Youth & Family Program supports individuals and families impacted by the prison system by providing education, peer support, and personal growth opportunities designed to strengthen relationships, foster family stability, and break generational cycles of incarceration.
“Research consistently shows that strong natural support is associated with more successful reentry and lower recidivism rates. By helping folks strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build healthier support systems, we are working toward safer communities and breaking generational cycles of incarceration. When one person changes how they show up in relationships, that change has the power to influence all their relationships creating a ripple effect.”
Tessa Domingus, Youth & Family Program Director
Individual Impact:
The RISE Youth and Family Program fosters deep self-awareness, helping participants understand how past trauma and family dynamics influence their relationships. Additionally, this program empowers individuals to set healthier boundaries, communicate their needs effectively, and resolve conflict with curiosity rather than defensiveness or fear.
Community Impact:
The RISE Youth and Family Program strengthens natural family support systems, which research links to lower recidivism rates and safer neighborhoods. This program changes how one person engages in relationships creates a positive ripple effect across the entire family, helping break generational cycles of incarceration.
224
Youth and FAMILY PARTICIPANTS IN 2026
650+
All-Time Youth and Family Participants
Classes Offered:
Family Wellness Collective
The central offering of the RISE Youth and Family program is the Family Wellness Collective. This 30-week educational curriculum is structured into six 5-week book modules that cover healthy relationships, effective communication, trauma/grief/resilience, self-actualization, positive parenting, and community/financial resources.
These community-based classes run year-round.
Omaha: Friday evening | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Lincoln: Tuesday evening | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Anyone whose family has been directly or indirectly impacted by the prison system is welcomed and encouraged to apply for enrollment. You do not need to be a previous RISE participant or graduate to participate. Families of all kinds and all ages are welcome.
HOW DO I Enroll?
Set up a time to meet with a Family Program team member here.
Questions Or want to enroll in the RISE Youth and Family Program?
Email Tessa Domingus, RISE Youth and Family Program Director
NEED DIFFERENT SUPPORT?
If our program or offerings are not the best fit for you and your family, we work to connect individuals with other community resources, including but not limited to:
Learn More About the RISE Family Wellness Collective
The Family Wellness Collective is a 10-month program, offered in six-week themes, to improve individual and family wellness.
The program is delivered over family-style meals and discussion-based learning.
A creative project accompanies each theme.
The six overarching themes are:
Healthy Relationships
Effective Communication
Trauma, Grief and Resiliency
Self Actualization
Positive Parenting
Building Resources and Community
Participant Requirements:
Must be enrolled by the RISE Youth and Family Program Director, Tessa Domingus.
Commitment to consistent attendance.
Open to all people and families in the community impacted by incarceration.
Current class schedule:
Tuesdays: Lincoln Office
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Fridays: Omaha Office
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Community Offering:
Wellness Coffee Hours
The RISE Alumni Association collaborates with the RISE Youth and Family Program to host monthly wellness coffee hours for all people who have been directly or indirectly impacted by incarceration.
These wellness coffee hours are a means of mutual support, understanding, and pro-social community-building.
Women-Only
Lincoln: 3rd Saturday of the month
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The Charging Station
6128 Havelock Avenue | Lincoln, NE 68507
Omaha: 4th Saturday of the Month
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Mill on Leavenworth
3105 Leavenworth Street | Omaha, NE 68105
men-Only
Lincoln: 3rd Saturday of the month
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
The Charging Station
6128 Havelock Avenue | Lincoln, NE 68507
Omaha: 1st Saturday of the Month
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sozo Coffeehouse
1314 Jones Street | Omaha, NE 68102
Upcoming Community Wellness Coffee Hours
Individualized support and assistance
The RISE Family Program understands that needs vary from family to family and is here to help.
Our individualized assistance can include support such as providing community and housing referrals, employment assistance, and identification assistance.
However, the Family Program cannot offer any financial support, clinical support, or legal services.
Available to:
• Loved ones of RISE In-Prison Program participants and graduates.
In-Prison Workshops
Family Program workshops offer an abridged version of Family Wellness Collective themes to incarcerated RISE graduates for continuing education. The material and delivery length is tailored to the specific needs of the RISE graduates.
For more information, email Director of Family Programs, Tessa Domingus.
RISE Programs
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In-Prison Program
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RISE Business Academy
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RISE Reentry Services