RISE is the signature program of the Friends for Life Foundation, a 5013c organization. The program is designed to assist families and children from disadvantaged households obtain exposure and experiences that are impossible due to limited income. Among these experiences are exposure to books, museums, information about secondary education, access and training in science and technology, and leadership development. The Friends for Life Signature program aims to fill this gap and provide experiences to encourage and support students and their families to strive for their greatest potential in the areas of cultural awareness, leadership abilities and educational advancement. In doing so it strives to address some of the specific impacts of economic disadvantage on children to fulfill the mission of Friends for Life: “To support quality of life improvement for the disadvantaged and to assist individuals and organizations in the community which enhance education, family, health, economic empowerment and the arts.”

 

Four separate and complimentary modules will be provided to allow gradual launch of the program and tailoring to match the needs of participants and families: Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead; The World and Me; Lead with Style, and Think Big.

 

• Today I Read, Tomorrow I Lead encourages and motivates elementary aged students to read and improve their reading competency. Students, K-5, participating in the program will receive several books each month for ten months. Reading frequency and progress is be tracked and incentives are provided for reading. The program culminates in a Book Review Luncheon held at the end of the school year. Five families and seven children Participated in the program launch on September 21, 2019.

 

• The World and Me focuses on the cultural development by providing access to enriching experiences. Families will be provided opportunities to attend exhibitions, museums, musicals, theatre, and to learn etiquette and self-presentation skills.

 

• Lead with Style focuses on leadership development including the acquisition of essential job readiness skills with a focus on those required to be competitive in STEM fields.

 

Think Big will assist with preparations for post–secondary education. That is to help disadvantaged students who possess the desire to continue their education beyond high school prepare for college or technical school. Preparation through workshops and mentorship will be key. Multi-year follow up is envisioned such that students in the 9-12 will be included and followed through the first year of college.