RISE- Reaching Individuals Through Skills & Education
We Empower & Motivate, We Encourage a Better Future
RISE Life Management Services is a non-governmental organization, established in Jamaica in 1989 as Addiction Alert. The organization operated the island's first outpatient treatment center for addictive disorders. However, over the years the direction and focus of its programmes were reviewed and adjusted in order to meet the current needs of the young at-risk population in Jamaica, particularly those living in inner-city communities. In order to reflect these developments, the organization changed its name to RISE Life Management Services. RISE is an acronym for Reaching Individuals through Skills and Education.
Services offered by RISE includes the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders; community-based health and education interventions i.e violence, drug, and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes for at-risk youth and family members; remedial educational programmes; life skills training, parenting programmes, social and health related services and HEART/NTA accredited vocational skills training. These interventions take place in some of Kingston's most volatile inner-city communities.
WHERE WE WORK
Though the majority of projects undertaken by RISE are focused on the corporate area, namely Kingston and St Andrew, we do have programmes that engage participants all across the island. Within Kingston and St Andrew RISE is engaged with participants from Majestic Gardens, Parade Gardens, Allman Town, Campbell Town, Fletchers Land, Tower Hill, Drewsland and Waterhouse. Outside of Kingston and St Andrew RISE’s Addiction Prevention and Treatment Unit has a presence in other parishes. In particular the Addiction Prevention and Treatment Unit has engaged in training in every parish on the island. Currently, RISE’s Maternal Health Project (PROMAC) supported by the European Union, currently engages participants from Church Corner in St Thomas.
OUR MISSION
To provide educational, vocational and health-related services for at-risk populations, including those suffering from addictive disorders, in order to facilitate healthy and productive lifestyle choices.
OUR VISION
A Jamaica society where young people and other vulnerable populations are empowered to make healthy lifestyle choices in a supportive and rehabilitative environment.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS
RISE’s Youth Development Officers (YDOs) are a group of youth enthusiasts who are trained in the delivery of healthy lifestyle education to their peers and other groups of people. The group had its origin in 1997 when a cadre of youth peer educators were selected from an Adolescent Drug Prevention Programme operated by the organization in secondary schools across Kingston and St. Catherine. They received intensive training over a three year period in life & social skills, leadership skills, and the performing arts, equipping them with skills to train other youth in schools and communities.
In 1998, when the organization began its school based classroom intervention, this highly trained group of youth facilitators was charged with the responsibility of conducting the weekly classroom sessions with seventh grade students in the following Life Skills: Adolescent Sexuality & Reproductive Health, Drug Abuse Prevention, Crime and Violence, Peer Pressure Coping and Refusal Skills and Personal Development. Sessions were delivered using the performing arts – music, drama and dance. They also sensitized other students, teachers, guidance counselors and parents
This innovative teaching methodology utilized by the group proved to be very successful and generated the interest and participation of its target audience – adolescents between 10 and 18 years old. The group received many accolades, chief among them, being seen as role models by their peers and the many other young people with whom they came into contact.
As a result of the success of the teaching methodology and the overwhelming requests made for the group to make presentations at multiple locations, the organization decided to package the technique so that other educators, including guidance counselors in schools, can utilize its approach to disseminate healthy lifestyle messages. The SHINE facilitator’s toolkit was created. The toolkit, which includes a facilitator’s manual, a participant activity book, a DVD with role plays, and a set of pictorial posters, was created by the Youth Facilitators and launched in 2005. The Youth Facilitators co-authored the manual and activity book, are featured on the posters, acted in and directed all role plays.
In 1999, the group planned and hosted CARYFONDA - Caribbean Youth Forum on Drug Abuse Prevention – a one week residential conference targeting over 250 youth from across Jamaica and the Caribbean. Another such conference was held in 2001 and included participants from Texas U.S.A. The group has coordinated and hosted all of RISE’s residential camps. They have also participated and facilitated at many International Youth Conferences over the years; Youth to Youth Drug Prevention Conference – Ohio, USA, 1997, Rhode Island, USA, 2000 and 2004, Crossing Cultural Borders, Texas, USA, 2002, the First Asian Youth Congress on Drug Abuse Prevention, Bali, Indonesia, 2002, and PRIDE Conference, Kansas City, USA, 2004.
They have participated in many genres of youth development in Jamaica. In 2001, two facilitators were appointed Jamaican Youth Ambassadors and carried the portfolios of CARICOM affairs and Youth Empowerment and Participation.
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OUR PROJECTS
RISE STAT Plan
Core Values
Respect
We provide a respectful and inclusive environment where community members can access equal opportunities and confidential services.
Integrity
We believe that accountability, honesty and sobriety are the hallmarks of professionalism.
Solidarity
We are dynamic team players working in solidarity with stakeholders and community partners to change lives for the better.
Empathy
We demonstrate compassion and empathy by engaging vulnerable populations through culturally sensitive interventions.
RISE Life Management Services
We provide. We believe. We are dynamic. We demonstrate.
Human Rights Awareness and Education Programme
Administered in partnership with the British Council includes the development of training curriculum in Human Rights education for young people whereby over 1300 young people were trained in Human Rights in all parishes. 20 Youth Organizations received financial grants to implement Human Rights Advocacy projects in their locale. Training programme and capacity building for 100 Civil Society Organizations. Intervention funded by the European Union.
HIV Prevention Programme for Most at Risk Populations
HIV prevention and testing programme for Men who have sex with Men and sex Workers. Intervention funded by the Global Fund/Ministry of Health National HIV Programme.
Youth Addiction Prevention and Treatment Programmes for young people with gambling and substance abuse problems
Prevention education to youth in primary and high schools and counselling and treatment services for youth suspended from school and sent through the Adolescent Drug Court. Intervention funded by CHASE and the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission.
“A New Path: Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica”
Life & Social Skills Training intervention for girls remanded at the South Camp Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility.Includes the training of staff in administering Life & Social Skills education to wards using effective training methodologies. Intervention funded by the Organization of American States (OAS).
OUR PROJECTS
RISE STAT Plan
Core Values
Respect
We provide a respectful and inclusive environment where community members can access equal opportunities and confidential services.
Integrity
We believe that accountability, honesty and sobriety are the hallmarks of professionalism.
Solidarity
We are dynamic team players working in solidarity with stakeholders and community partners to change lives for the better.
Empathy
We demonstrate compassion and empathy by engaging vulnerable populations through culturally sensitive interventions.
RISE Life Management Services
We provide. We believe. We are dynamic. We demonstrate.
Human Rights Awareness and Education Programme
Administered in partnership with the British Council includes the development of training curriculum in Human Rights education for young people whereby over 1300 young people were trained in Human Rights in all parishes. 20 Youth Organizations received financial grants to implement Human Rights Advocacy projects in their locale. Training programme and capacity building for 100 Civil Society Organizations. Intervention funded by the European Union.
HIV Prevention Programme for Most at Risk Populations
HIV prevention and testing programme for Men who have sex with Men and sex Workers. Intervention funded by the Global Fund/Ministry of Health National HIV Programme.
Youth Addiction Prevention and Treatment Programmes for young people with gambling and substance abuse problems
Prevention education to youth in primary and high schools and counselling and treatment services for youth suspended from school and sent through the Adolescent Drug Court. Intervention funded by CHASE and the Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission.
“A New Path: Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica”
Life & Social Skills Training intervention for girls remanded at the South Camp Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility.Includes the training of staff in administering Life & Social Skills education to wards using effective training methodologies. Intervention funded by the Organization of American States (OAS).