RISE! Male Empowerment Program
Newport News Public Schools will present the 3rd Annual RISE! Male Empowerment Conference on Saturday, February 4, at Heritage HS from 8:30am to 2:30pm. This will mark the first time we have been able to present this awesome opportunity for our middle and high school students since March, 2020.
This year's conference will feature outstanding workshops on topics designed to promote overall student well-being and success and those which support the RISE! Pillars of Leadership: Mentorship, Character Development, Academic Excellence, College and Career Exploration, Enrichment, and Service. The conference is open to all Newport News Public School students in grades 6-12. Transportation and food will be provided. Click below to register. Registration will close on Tuesday, January 24th.
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If you, or someone you know, is interested in presenting a dynamic workshop, please complete the Workshop Proposal Form no later than January 16th. Several hundred students and their parent/guardians will attend. Volunteers who can help make this an extraordinary experience are also needed. If you, your team, especially your fraternity, business, or community organization would like to support the event as a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
What is RISE!?
Established in Newport News Public Schools in 2019, the RISE! Male Empowerment Network was created to provide a mechanism for youth-serving organizations and individuals to collaborate among organizations which serve male youth to increase their capacity to meet student needs and to drive positive life outcomes. Community agencies, non-profits, faith-based and civic organizations, colleges and universities and individuals work with schools and the school division to create extraordinary opportunities that build skills, resilience, and positive assets in male youth. The "Network" brings together a wealth of resources, expertise, and creative ideas that strengthen the collective work of those who are committed to improving the quality of life for young men in the City of Newport News.
What are the benefits of joining the RISE! Male Empowerment Network?
Individuals and organizations, including those with established programs, can partner with Newport News Public Schools to increase student access to extraordinary opportunities that are offered by Network members. The RISE! Network expands possibilities for student empowerment and engagement. Even if your organization is established and has its own programming and volunteers, membership in the Network has many benefits.
- Connect with other youth-serving organizations
- Share information, resources, and evidence-based strategies
- Build expertise in the area of youth development
- Connect with NNPS students in grades K-12
- Increase youth engagement with available programs and services
How can an individual or organization become a member of the RISE! Male Empowerment Network?
Organizations play a key role in the RISE! mission of expanding opportunities and driving positive outcomes for youth. Existing organizations, whether newly formed or well established, are welcome to join the Network and begin to collaborate with like-minded individuals and groups which are committed to improving the quality of life and life outcomes for male youth in Newport News. The RISE! Male Empowerment Network also includes a diverse group of individuals who support RISE! goals, either because of their professional or philanthropic interests. Individuals who join the Network can partner with specific schools, help design programming, and support the work in many ways! Individuals and organizations interested in becoming members of the RISE! Male Empowerment Network can complete a Network Membership Registration form. The forms can be found at the links below.
Organization Membership Individual Membership
What is the RISE! Male Empowerment "100 in 100" Male Mentor Recruitment Campaign?
Mentoring is an effective intervention for all youth. The power of just one nurturing adult can be life-changing for a young person. RISE! endeavors to establish at least one mentoring option for students in every Newport News Public School. The goal of the "100 in 100" RISE! Male Mentor Campaign is to recruit and train a minimum of 100 men to serve as mentors to students. Interested candidates must meet specified criteria and successfully complete a background check and comprehensive mentor training. Faith-based, fraternal, and civic organizations are strongly encouraged to join this effort by completing a Mentorship Registration Form.
Organization Mentors Individual Mentors
What are the ways in which I or members of my organization can serve as a RISE! Mentor?
- "Adopt A School" (Organization adopts a specific school.)
- Small group mentor or one-to-one mentor
- School or conference guest speaker
- Lead or support a mentoring club
- School-based Community Partner (visit cafeterias, be a presence at schools at events, during class changes, arrival and dismissal, etc.)
- Sponsor or chaperone a field trip
- Read to students
- Coordinate a service project
- Conduct a workplace readiness activity (ex. job shadow, mock interviews, resume building, etc.)
- Leadership training
- Special event organizer (ex. recreation, social, career exploration, etc.)
Are there any information resources that I can share with our organization?
The RISE! Male Empowerment Program Overview provides information about the program for organizations and individuals who would like to know more about RISE!.
The RISE! Male Empowerment initiative is coordinated by NNPS Youth Development. For more information about RISE! and the opportunities to partner, contact Bridget Adams, NNPS Youth Development Program Administrator.