You’re Invited! Rise & Shine Graduation

Join us in person or via Facebook Live to celebrate the 2022 Rise & Shine Parent Leadership Program Graduates!

Date/Time: Friday, June 17th, 9:30-11:00 am ET

During the ceremony, you’ll hear more about the program and graduating parents will share their experiences, stories and poems. We look forward to celebrating with you!

>> Register via Eventbrite to attend in person or by Facebook livestream (@readrisemag).

In-person details:

First Spanish United Methodist Church
The People’s Church
163 East 111th Street
New York, NY 10029

There is limited seating available for in-person attendance. Registration via Eventbrite, proof of vaccination and masks will be required. Online audience members will be able to view the graduation via Facebook livestream.

Congratulations, Rise & Shine Graduates!

Join us in celebrating the 2022 Rise & Shine Parent Leadership Program graduates:

Elena Bellamy
Cassandra Gonzalez
Loren Horten
Giada Matteini
Jaclyn Terrasi
Kimberly Tyre

During the program, graduates complete:

a writing workshop series in which they develop a publication-quality story and creative writing pieces, including poetry;
a public speaking workshop series, in which they build skills and strategies for engaging mindfully, using their voice and body, maintaining calm and focus and connecting with their audience, self and message;
community-building and reflection sessions using restorative justice circlekeeping practices;
a community-based mini-project;
10 hours of interactive learning via “shadowing” and participating in advocacy and organizing opportunities.

About Rise & Shine

The 2022 Rise & Shine Parent Leadership Program ran from February through June, meeting both online and in person. The program supported NYC parents impacted by ACS with strengthening their skills, knowledge and networks to be leaders in their communities.

Through the 18-week program, parents:

Built a strong foundation for community leadership;
Strengthened their writing and public speaking skills;
Connected with Rise staff, parent leaders and community organizers and participated in additional interactive learning, advocacy and organizing opportunities;
Reflected on experiences together and built a peer-to-peer network;
Engaged with expert speakers and community members on a variety of topics, including child welfare history and law, parents’ legal rights, community organizing, legislative advocacy, systemic oppression, podmapping, trauma, toxic stress and self- and community care.

>> Are you a parent impacted by ACS? Complete our Get Involved Form to receive information about Rise & Shine 2023.

>> Interested in learning more about Rise & Shine? Read our 2022 FAQ.

Rise & Shine Presenters and Facilitators

Rise extends deep gratitude to all of the Rise & Shine 2022 presenters and facilitators. Thank you for providing engaging and interactive knowledge-building workshops for the Rise & Shine program!

Presentations by Rise Partners

Fearless R2W Circle of Support

Mary Burton, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Fearless R2W

History of the NYC Child Welfare System

Michael Arsham, Executive Director, Office of Advocacy, ACS
Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist, ACS

Introduction to Advocacy

Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist, ACS
Leatha Jennings, Parent Advocate, Forestdale, Inc.
Teyora Graves, Parent Advocate Supervisor, Center for Family Representation
Maya Marshall, Parent Advocate, Rising Ground
Hope Lissette Newton, Parent Advocate, Center for Family Representation & Rise Board Chair
Elliot Williams, Parent Advocate, Center for Family Representation and Rise Board member

Introduction to Podmapping

Dana Hanuszczak, Community Organizer, Voices of Women
Raquel Sing, Executive Director, Voices of Women

Know Your Rights: Early Legal Representation

Michael White, Jr., Staff/Early Defense Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Bronx Defender Services

Know Your Rights: Family Policing System Investigations and Cases

Sabrina Calloway, Senior Parent Advocate, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
Hannah Mercuris, Senior Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
Daniella A. Schmidt, Senior Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services

Know Your Rights: NY Statewide Central Register

Christine Gottlieb, Co-Director, NYU School of Law Family Defense Clinic

Legislative Advocacy

Osman Ahmed, Training Director, The Advocacy Institute
Marissa Martin, Executive Director, The Advocacy Institute
Valeria Mogilevich, Curriculum Designer, The Advocacy Institute
David Ng, Engagement Manager, The Advocacy Institute

Movement for Family Power Exists to Fight the Foster System’s Policing and Punishment of Families

Lisa Sangoi, Co-Director/Co-Founder, Movement for Family Power

Moving from Trauma to Power

Felicia Aleyne-Davis, Parent Advocate, NAC and Rise Board Member
Dr. Tricia Stephens, Professor, Silberman School of Social Work

Rise Presenters

The following Rise staff members provided workshops for Rise & Shine on abolition, community organizing, parent leadership, systemic oppression and toxic stress: