Volunteering
There are several ways to volunteer with RISE both inside prison facilities and out in the community.
Every gift you give helps our Community Navigators provide meals and meaningful moments for people reentering society.
Purchase a gift card (restaurant, grocery, or other favorites) and let our community navigators use it to share meals and conversations that change lives.
Help RISE Fuel Hope
One Meal at a Time
RISE In-Prison Program Volunteer
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Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
Locations: HomeVolunteers spend time providing basic business research for RISE In-Prison Program participants preparing for a business pitch competition.
Frequency:
Online Coaching is available for signup as needed. Typically, Online Coaching opportunities are open for registrations every month.Requirements:
• Interest in researching various business ideas. Ability to provide basic information on marketing tactics, business competition, and other resources RISE participants may need to successfully launch a business.
• Basic computer skills
• Internet service -
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Locations: Omaha, Lincoln, York, TecumsehThis In-Prison Program Milestone Event is roughly a 4 hour time commitment taking place inside one of six Nebraska Department of Corrections (NDCS) facilities.
In-Prison Program Coaching Days are typically held at the three-month mark of curriculum completion. RISE staff and NDCS-approved community volunteers spend a full day inside the prison facility with program participants going over resumes, cover letters, personal statements, mock interviews, and business ideations.
Frequency:
In-Prison Coaching is available for signup as needed. Typically, In-Prison Coaching opportunities are open to NDCS-approved volunteers for registrations every 2-3 months.Requirements:
• NDCS volunteer clearance prior to event
• This process takes 90 days+. Email here to begin the process.
• Registration through our website at least 60 days prior to event
• NDCS dress code -
Time Commitment: 8-10 hours
Locations: Omaha, Lincoln, York, TecumsehVolunteers sit on panels and serve as judges throughout the morning hearing program participants' business pitches. Volunteers score the pitches and vote for the participants who will move on to the next round of pitching. Top participants will then pitch again while peers, volunteers, and guests vote, and the winners of the competition are announced. There is a cap and gown ceremony and certificates are awarded. Sharing of testimonies from participants, staff, volunteers, and family members concludes this meaningful day!
Lunch, coffee, water, and snacks provided.
Frequency: In-Prison Business Pitch Competition Judging is available for signup as needed.
Typically, In-Prison Business Pitch Competition Judging opportunities are available to NDCS- approved volunteers for registrations every 3 months.Requirements:
• NDCS volunteer clearance prior to event
• This process takes 90 days+. Email Chantal Wentz here to begin that process.
• Registration through our website at least 60 days prior to event
• NDCS dress code -
Learn more about bringing in a large group to a RISE In-Prison Program Milestone event here!
Upcoming Events
RISE BUSINESS ACADEMY VOLUNTEER
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Time Commitment: 2 hours
Locations: RISE Omaha Office (3555 Farnam Street #501, Omaha, NE 68131)
Speak on a Wednesday night to the class on one of the following topics (or a small business topic not listed here that you think would add value to the class)
Class topics include:
Accounting and taxes
Protecting your business (permits, insurance, etc.)
Marketing your business
Financing your business / Financial Projections
Preparing a business plan / Business structures
Social media for your business
Know your Why (mindset, mission and vision, etc.).
Business ideas and opportunities
Hiring vs. Contracting
Sales
Sharing your personal small business story, successes, lessons learned, Q&A, etc.
Computers/Technology/Software
Frequency: As needed. Classes take place Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm.
Requirements:• Experience in your topic of choice.
Email Dr. TJ Dickson here for more information.
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Time Commitment: Once per week for a minimum of one hour for 6-8 weeks.
Locations: Various: Omaha, Lincoln, Zoom
Meet/chat with your RISE Business Academy mentee once per week (or with some agreed-upon frequency) and support their business plan, business pitch, answer questions, coach them, etc. We will pair you with someone that makes sense based on your background and the type of business they want to start.
Frequency: Every 12 weeks
Requirements:• Experience in your field/topic of choice.
Email Dr. TJ Dickson about becoming a RISE Business Academy Mentor/Coach here.
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Time Commitment: 3-4 hours
Locations: Omaha or Lincoln
The Business Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for RISE Business Academy participants to pitch and receive constructive feedback about the viability of their businesses from experienced executives, entrepreneurs, and investors while competing for prizes, payable to their business.
Judges will have a brief amount of me to deliberate privately after all presenters have pitched. Judges will rank participants based on the following criteria:
Clarity and persuasiveness of presentation
Feasibility and scalability of business concept
Credibility and leadership potential of the entrepreneur
Potential to hire RISE graduates
Frequency: As needed.
Requirements:• Expertise in areas of small business and entrepreneurship.
To receive more information on becoming a RISE Business Academy Business Pitch Competition Judge, email Dr. TJ Dickson here.
Upcoming Events
RISE Youth + Family Program VOLUNTEER
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Time Commitment: 2 hours for 2 weeks
Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 501 | Omaha, NE 68131
Working with the RISE Youth & Family Program’sFamily Wellness Collective to create art of many kinds in correlation with the programming topics being discussed.
Frequency: Two Friday evenings from 6-8 pm.
Mediums needed:
Painting (murals, smaller pieces, personal pieces), woodwork, ceramics, digital, etc.
Music
Spoken word / Poetry
Requirements:• Experience in your medium of choice• Ability to teach adults and kids• Ability to empathize
For more information on becoming a Volunteer Community Artist, email Geri Knight here.
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Food builds community! It cultivates family connections, socialization, and a sense of belonging.
The RISE Family Wellness Collective provides a Friday evening dinner to all its participants.
If you would like to sponsor a meal, gift cards to these spots are greatly appreciated! Please contact Geri Knight, Director of Youth and Family Programs, to tell her you’ve sent a gift card or if you would like to utilize a local caterer.
Upcoming Events
RISE Policy + Advocacy VOLUNTEER
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Time Commitment: 2 hours for 2 weeks
Location: Various
For more information, contact Jasmine Harris here.
Upcoming Events
RISE Non-Program Related VOLUNTEER
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Time Commitment: As needed
Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 501 | Omaha, NE 68131
Assist based on your area of expertise. Such as, if an attorney of the law, providing legal support, reviewing agreements, assisting with implementation of new partnerships through MOUs and contract building.
Frequency: As needed
Requirements:
Educational requirements as dictated by the area you're providing support in
For more information providing pro bono support, email Sarah Bartolomei here.
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Time Commitment: As needed.
Locations: RISE Office | 3555 Farnam Street | Suite 222 | Omaha, NE 68131
Assist with organizing paperwork, mailing, and data entry.
Frequency: As needed
Requirements:• Organizational skills• Computer• Transportation to and from the RISE office
For more information on administrative volunteerism, email Chantal Wentz here.
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Time Commitment: Moments!
Locations: RISE Website
Donations to the RISE Annual Fund are used where needed most and provide the financial foundation for all the work we do to serve our mission to break generational cycles of incarceration.
This includes RISE reentry programming at 7 NE state correctional facilities, incentive pre and post-release case management services, job readiness training, entrepreneurship training, housing, and support the basic needs for citizens returning to the community from incarceration.
Frequency: As available, weekly, monthly, annually- well graciously take it all!
Requirements:
Financial willingness
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Join the growing community of RISE Employment Partners. RISE is seeking well-paying employment opportunities to plug our Builders into.
Frequency: As needed
Requirements: Educational requirements as dictated by the area you're providing support in
Contact December Jennings, Director of Employment Services, here for more information.