Last week, Risepoint teammates from around the world had opportunities to gather in-person or virtually to make our communities a better place. More than 250 teammates in the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom completed service activities that are aligned with our mission of making education and essential resources more accessible.
As a remote-first organization, we’re incredibly proud of our team for coming together, no matter where they are in the world, for meaningful causes. These efforts helped us to live out the values that we collectively created over the past year. Forming the acronym REACH, our values – Reliable, Empowered, Adaptable, Customer-Centric, and Heart – guide how we show up for our partners, our communities, and one another.
Our mission is at the core of everything we do, and while many of us see that impact daily through our partners and through the lives of the learners we support, REACH Week offers another powerful way to extend that impact beyond our work!
Fernando Bleichmar, CEO, Risepoint
Continue reading to learn more about each service opportunity and how the Risepoint team was able to make an impact throughout the REACH Community Service Week.
Wesley House and Lighthouse Academy at Newburg in Louisville
Risepoint teammates in the Louisville area provided service to the Wesley House and Lighthouse Academy at Newburg.
Wesley House offers a safe, engaging and nurturing space where students can learn, grow and connect during the summer months.
Similarly, Lighthouse Academy provides a free after-school program and summer camp for children to expand access to enrichment programs in the Newburg area. Meghan Alessi, Senior Manager of Project Management at Risepoint, shared:
“At the Lighthouse Academy at Newburg, we were able to learn more about what makes this organization a beacon for the community. On a tour of the facility, we heard heart-warming testimony from staff and volunteers, and witnessed their mission in action, with children enjoying summer camp by playing basketball in the gym, enjoying a hot meal lovingly prepared and provided, and with each classroom filled with warmth and laughter.
Our volunteers gave directional arrows in the parking lot a fresh coat of paint, reinvigorated garden beds with a new layer of mulch and fertilizer, and washed and waxed the van, which is a crucial part of getting kids to the facility. We learned that after JCPS was no longer able to provide bus support, the attendance at Lighthouse dropped greatly (from around 80 kids to 8 at times) because of the lack of transportation.”
A Gift for Teaching and Quest in Orlando
A Gift for Teaching provides free resources to local educators in Orlando. According to the organization, “teachers [in Orlando] spend $500+ out of their own hard-earned salaries each year to purchase the supplies their students need.” Our impact on A Gift for Teaching and Orlando-area students was direct and quantifiable. Sarah Miller, a Community Engagement Representative for A Gift for Teaching, expressed:
“Because of your recent participation in our Kits For Kids program, you provided students with essential supplies. This means 330 more students don’t have to go without a pencil or some of the other basic supplies needed each day. In the words of an Orange County teacher, ‘The supplies help so many kids who might go without and helps me to create more engaging projects for my students, which I would otherwise be unable to do due to lack of money for supplies.’ It was a blast working with your group. They were so fun and engaging!”
Quest Training Centers provide recreational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Our teammates improved an on-site garden so center participants can enjoy the outdoor area. Jeanne Amend, Risepoint Student Retention Specialist, enjoyed being able to connect with coworkers in-person and collaborate on something purposeful. “It was wonderful to be together in person and collaborate in a different environment.”
Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange
Volunteers in Chicago organized donations for the Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange, a nonprofit organization that redistributes creative materials for arts, nonprofit and education in the Chicago area. Our half-day of support at CCRx helped the organization complete work that would’ve taken their workers months to finish. Risepoint teammates organized a donation that will be redistributed to Chicago Public School teachers as classroom supplies.
Per Scholas in Dallas
Per Scholas provides free hands-on technology training, helping students in the Dallas area break into the STEM field. Our team was able to provide real-life expertise and encouragement to participants.
Stan Hensley, VP of Business Technology Product Management, and Brad Norris, Student Retention Specialist, joined Per Scholas learners in person in Dallas for an engaging Ask Me Anything session. They shared insights on breaking into tech, balancing work and school and staying motivated while pursuing career goals through tuition-free training.
Stonepillow in West Sussex, United Kingdom
Stonepillow in West Sussex provides vital resources to people experiencing homelessness by providing accommodation, recovery services and outreach programs. Risepoint colleagues in the United Kingdom were grateful to spend time helping Stonepillow to make their processes more efficient. Abi Rutter, Student Engagement Coordinator, said, “Our focus was reorganizing the warehouse to streamline the sorting process, making it easier for the 80 volunteers who contribute their time each month to keep operations running smoothly. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts will help enhance the efficiency of their future work.”
Virtual service opportunities for Learning Ally, CricketTogether and Per Scholas
Learning Ally empowers struggling readers through literacy solutions, including audiobooks. More than 70 Risepoint colleagues supported Learning Ally virtually by reviewing sections of audiobooks to ensure they meet quality standards for accessible student use. Nia Stokes-Hicks, Risepoint Director of IDEAS Experience shared, “Together, we reviewed an impressive 195 audiobooks, helping make a real impact on children’s learning journeys.”
The Director of Volunteer and Corporate Sponsorships at Learning Ally had this to say about Risepoint community service and its reflection on our company culture:
“What stood out most was not just your commitment to service, but also the culture you embody as a team, one that is deeply dedicated yet welcoming to vulnerability and growth. It was inspiring to see how openly you engaged, embraced new challenges and shared reflections on the experience. It truly speaks to the strength of your team and the supportive environment you have built at Risepoint.”
CricketTogether provides virtual one-on-one mentoring for children. Our Risepoint colleagues joined a webinar to learn how they can support young learners as virtual mentors. “The session introduced employees to the e-mentorship program, which pairs volunteers with elementary students to help build confidence, strengthen literacy skills and foster meaningful connections through guided letter exchanges.
Many thanks to the organizations that provide a positive impact to our communities through education, mentoring and essential resources. Risepoint colleagues were humbled and appreciative for the opportunity to connect with local nonprofits through an extension of the Risepoint mission to expand access.
