November at RYSE: Liberation + Decolonization

This month, RYSErs deepened the conversation on the meaning and enactment of liberation and decolonization.

Here's a glimpse of our work this month, including youth exchanges, workshops at the Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit, a Hatchlab collaboration in Chicago between our young people and Whitesburg, Kentucky youth, participation in the National Week of Action for Dignity in Schools and at the Youth Community Organizing Resource Exchange (Youth CORE), a community art gallery and dinner, and more. 

Richmond x Chicago x Whitesburg, KY

RYSE's Media Arts + Culture team and young people joined youth from the Appalachia Media Institute from Whitesburg, KY for a joint Hatchlab session. Creative & Healing Arts Assistant (and former youth member) Nya Zianni shares about RYSE's work.

School Climate is the Heart

RYSE members hard at work preparing for speaking at a school board meeting.

School Climate is the Heart

Cultivating positive relationships between youth and adults in schools is key to increasing academic achievement. RYSE youth and staff mobilized with youth and adult advocates from across the state, in Sacramento,  to urge  legislators to make school climate a priority in the state.

School Climate is the Heart

Cultivating positive relationships between youth and adults in schools is key to increasing academic achievement. RYSE youth and staff mobilized with youth and adult advocates from across the state, in Sacramento,  to urge  legislators to make school climate a priority in the state.

School Climate is the Heart

Cultivating positive relationships between youth and adults in schools is key to increasing academic achievement. RYSE youth and staff mobilized with youth and adult advocates from across the state, in Sacramento,  to urge  legislators to make school climate a priority in the state.

School Climate is the Heart

Cultivating positive relationships between youth and adults in schools is key to increasing academic achievement. RYSE youth and staff mobilized with youth and adult advocates from across the state, in Sacramento,  to urge  legislators to make school climate a priority in the state.

RYSE Member Geo speaks to the School Board

#SchoolClimateistheHeart

#YouthPower #RichmondRYSing

Members deep in conversation at our Youth Exchange

#YouthPower #RichmondRYSing

Members deep in conversation at our Youth Exchange.

#YouthPower #RichmondRYSing

Members deep in conversation at our Youth Exchange.

#YouthPower #RichmondRYSing

Members deep in conversation at our Youth Exchange.

Happy Birthday to RYSE Member Destiny!

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. Here's Community Health Manager Brian, Youth Organizing Coordinator Diana, and our Public Health Intern Leili at the airport!

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises.

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. This photo is from the conference's talent show.

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. This photo is from the conference's talent show.

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. 

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. 

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. 

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. 

Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit

RYSE staff and members participated in the Free Our Dreams: Queer and Trans Youth Leadership Summit this past weekend, where they also facilitated a wellness workshop with meditation, poetry, and breathing exercises. 

Youth Photo Project

RYSE members Marisol and Destiny prepare for their youth-led photoshoot.

RYSE members and staff attended a conference in LA. This was RYSE member Sharlia's first time traveling on a plane!

Operation Dream Act Now!

Participating in an Operation Dream Act Now! Rally a Richmond City Hall.

South LA’s Community Coalition Visit

RYSE loves visits from community partners! 30+ young leaders from South LA’s Community Coalition came to visit our center.

South LA’s Community Coalition Visit

RYSE loves visits from community partners! 30+ young leaders from South LA’s Community Coalition came to visit our center.

Associate Director Kanwarpal Dhaliwal Speaks at #HiltonConvene

Kanwarpal shares about RYSE's work and practice of unconditional love and trauma informed care for our communities' young people.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

Liberation + Decolonization Dinner

On November 21st, RYSE held a Liberation + Decolonization Dinner to collectively reflect on the history and continuing legacy of "Thanksgiving" in America. Featuring guest speakers working in food justice and in the community, music and art activities exploring the evening's theme, this dinner event asked RYSE staff and members to consider, together, the work of decolonization, liberation, and what it means to be thankful.

---

This Giving Tuesday, Give to Liberation.

• 3500+ youth served all time, 80 new members this fall.
• 98% feel safer at RYSE than anywhere else.
• 91% have a better understanding of their emotions and feelings.
• 92% are confident they will graduate.
• 93% feel better connected to their community.
• 94% have tried new things at RYSE.
• 91% see failure as a way to try harder.

Let's get free.

---

Upcoming Event: 

Full of Cheer: A "Feed the Family" Gathering

Ring in the holiday season with food, music, and fun! 

• Food for families, community members, and friends
• Winter goody bags for children (12 and under)
• Special edition RYSE blanket giveaway
• Free Eye Exams and Glasses (ages 5-18) from Vision to Learn
• Coffee & Hot Chocolate from Sweet and Mellow Truck
• Arts and Crafts
• and more!

This event is FREE and open to all.

---

We're Hiring!

Join the RYSE Team. View our current job openings here.

---

What's happening on Instagram:

Gallery Block

This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account. Learn more