Our purpose
Removing barriers. Making reinvention possible.
RISE began with a belief shaped by lived experience: people are not defined by the barriers they have faced. A barrier involving confidence, education, work history, support, transportation, technology, language, recovery, disability access, or professional connection should not be the reason someone is left out of opportunity.
Fox Cities RISE grew from the gap left when the Job Center in Appleton closed and people still needed a clear, welcoming place to find employment resources and prepare for what came next. Milwaukee Metro RISE is the next expression of that vision, adapted through local listening rather than treated as a finished program.
Preparation should feel human, and support should not depend on someone already knowing where to start. RISE brings employers, volunteers, nonprofits, educators, community partners, and practical resources closer to the people who need them.
