Meet Us – RISE UP Cooperative

About Us
Our Story
About Us

About RiseUP Cooperative

Who We Are
RiseUP Cooperative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering teens and young adults (ages 13–23) with the essential life and leadership skills they need to build brighter futures. Through engaging workshops and resources, we bridge critical service gaps to ensure every young person has the tools to rise above life’s challenges and avoid becoming a statistic.

Our Belief
We believe every teen has the potential to grow into a responsible, confident, and empowered adult. By teaching practical skills, fostering a positive mindset, and building self-esteem, we help young people unlock their full potential and become strong, independent, and productive members of society.

What We Do
Our dedicated volunteers bring passion and expertise to every workshop, delivering practical tools and knowledge that empower teens to thrive in all aspects of life. Our workshops cover a variety of essential topics, including:

Financial literacy
Career readiness
Health and safety
Mental health and well-being

Workshops for Adults
At RiseUP, we believe creating change takes a village. That’s why we also offer workshops for adults, including parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with teens. These sessions equip adults with valuable strategies and insights to better support the young people in their lives.

Our Impact
By equipping teens with critical life skills and empowering adults to guide them, RiseUP is transforming lives and shaping a stronger, more resilient community. Together, we’re building a legacy of hope, opportunity, and success for the next generation.

Join Us
At RiseUP, we know that meaningful change happens when we come together. Join us in our mission to uplift and support our youth, ensuring they have the skills, confidence, and opportunities to build a better tomorrow.

RiseUP Cooperative – Empowering the Next Generation to Thrive.

Our Story

Our Story: The Founders of RiseUP Cooperative

Sandy’s Journey
With a background in social services, I witnessed the challenges and heartbreak many teens face firsthand. Far too many young people grow up without someone to make them feel valued, without a family to call their own, and without a dependable support system. I saw countless teens age out of foster care, left to navigate the world on their own without the tools they needed to succeed. Tragically, many of these young adults became homeless or incarcerated—victims of a system that failed to prepare them for life.

Motivated by these harsh realities, Joe and I decided to become a foster-to-adopt family, hoping to provide love and stability to at least one child. To our surprise, we were presented with the opportunity to adopt a sibling set of three. Without hesitation, we embraced them into our family and committed ourselves to nurturing, loving, and equipping them with the tools for a bright and successful future.

The Birth of RiseUP
While raising our children, we realized that helping just our family wasn’t enough. We felt called to do more—to extend that love, guidance, and support to other young people in need. This unwavering desire to empower the next generation led us to create RiseUP Cooperative.

Joe’s Vision
We know we can’t help everyone, but we firmly believe in the power of planting seeds and creating ripple effects that spark change for generations to come. By providing teens and young adults with critical skills and resources, we can help them take charge of their futures and create better tomorrows for themselves and their communities.

Our Mission
At RiseUP, we work to instill core values in the youth we serve:

Responsibility: Owning their actions and decisions
Independence: Building the confidence to navigate life on their own
Strength: Facing challenges with resilience
Upstanding Character: Acting with integrity and compassion
Productive Mindset: Striving for growth and success

We firmly believe that the only way to RiseUP is to RiseUP together. With the support, skills, and encouragement provided through our workshops, we empower young people to rise above life’s challenges and embrace their full potential.

Joe and Sandy Pricer
Founders, RiseUP Cooperative