Re-Inventing Social Enterprise
We work to foster the unique talents of disconnected and systems-impacted youth of color in Beaverton and Washington County through entrepreneurship and a community of support.
About us
Our youth network has incredible self-determination as well as the desire and skills to overcome the impacts of poverty, trauma, and racist systems. We believe that intra- and inter- cultural organizing creates resilience and strength that radiates outwards. Through collaboration this then enhances the entire community.
We are inspired entirely by working within our youth community and listening to the needs, dreams, goals, and challenges of our young people and their families. We prioritize projects inspired by their voices. RISE programming, events, and projects are conceived, designed, implemented, and led through intentional inclusion of the youth.
OUR YOUTH NETWORK
"We can be the cycle or we can break it." -M.A.P.
Read these poems from RISE Youth
“arriba, arriba, arriba”
Your heavy voices would shout.
the light of the moon still dancing with the sun
not yet day, but not the end of night
Heavy eyes, heavy arms
our backs against the cold, hard concrete
darkness filled the tiny houses
cold water para espantar el sueño
“Abrígate, va estar frío”
Your kind voice whispers
a voice so pale, so kind and tired
“Si ma”
we’re on our way,
this is the dream.
we’re on our way,
it’s not yet three.
buckets. buckets and hats
killing our backs
full of fruits
so that you can snack
this is the dream.
this is the dream.
this is the land of the free
Our board is made of the same community, business leaders, and youth who are involved in designing, implementing, and benefiting from our programs. We strongly believe that "for us, by us" builds a stronger organization and a stronger community.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THEORY OF CHANGE
We believe that by reaching out to the youth who are most impacted and hardest to reach we can create the biggest change. It’s easiest to teach the kids who want to be taught, but due external factors like generational trauma, poverty, and racial profiling some kids give up early. RISE welcomes these youth into our community, recognizing their unique talents and interests, and offers support to help them achieve their goals of self determination and independence. By trusting that young people know what they need to thrive, we can best bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to go.
4th grade crazy
Thats when you know everything already
the smart ones
the kinda smart ones
and the behind ones
it was scary being the behind ones
you pretend like you know everything
you don’t ask for help
because you wanna be
a smart one or
a kinda smart one
but not a behind one
matter of fact you just scared to raise yo hand and ask for help
because you don’t wanna be made fun at
or be called dumb
well it’s sad to be honest because of the kids
be dropping out
going into drugs
they know they ain’t worth school anymore
because they still scared to raise their hands
because they don’t wanna be call stupid or dumb
they are smart inside
they need the motivation
extra help
Thats my thoughts
Profile
I’m trying, man.
I’m trying
But because I’m brown they’ve profiled me
I’m trying and I won’t stop trying
But because I’m a minority they’ve profiled me
They’ve labeled me a gangster, a no good kid
I’m trying man, I’m trying
But because of my RAZA
They’ve profiled me
They threw me in a box
And they hit self destruct
I’m trying man, I’m trying
But because I fit their profile
Because I speak a different language
Because I come with a heavy accent
Because I am who I am I will not stop trying
Because you tell me that I will not grow
I will blossom
And I will shine on my own
Because you tell me my ways are set in stone
I will change and I will prove myself
But you set my path
You profiled me