RYSE Center

https://rysecenter.org//20/6/24/june-recap-ryse-pryde-2021 In this month’s blog, check out how RYSE celebrated Pride Month! Starting with a poem about identity by RYSE Member Destiny, we go on to spotlight various members of the LGBTQ+ community, break down what pronouns are and how they function, recap RYSE’s various events and programming during the month, feature a video with RYSE members speaking on building a healthier Richmond, as well as a word on the meaning of Juneteenth, among other things!

RYSE celebrates and creates safe spaces to honor all sexual orientations, healthy sexual expressions, presence of the non gendered, non conforming and queer resilience of all members of our community. Support our queer youth programming by giving to our RYSE PRYDE 2021: VIBRANT + VISIBLE! campaign for Give OUT Day! Follow this link to learn more: https://www.giveoutday.org/organization/rysecenter

Follow this link to RSVP: http://bit.ly/outofthemouthsofbeings JOIN US Friday, June 25th for an afternoon showcase of Richmond arts! In collaboration between Richmond organizations NIAD Art Center, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond Art Center, and RYSE Center, we bring you Out of the Mouths of Beings, hosted by Richmond’s own Youth Poet Laureate, Sheila McKinney! From 3:30-5pm PT we will feature spoken word, dance, music, visual arts, and movement; building community, love, and togetherness in the virtual space. Let’s kick off the summer right and enjoy the abundance of creativity Richmond has to offer!

Earlier today, MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett announced a $2.7 billion contribution to 286 organizations. RYSE is incredibly honored to be announced alongside these groups. We are grateful to Ms. Scott, Mr. Jewett, and their team for this profound financial investment in our work. RYSE exists because twenty years ago, queer, BIPOC young people had the courage to organize and demand a space in their city that centers their collective healing, bold visions, and immense creativity. To read our full statement with links to MacKenzie Scott's post and more info on RYSE Commons follow this link: https://rysecenter.org/blog/investing-in-bipoc-youth-power

Join the team! RYSE is not only seeking a Clinical Therapist, Career Pathways Coordinator, and a Restorative Practices Specialist, but we are also bringing on Summer Youth cohorts and interns. Job Openings: https://rysecenter.org/job-openings Youth Leadership Opportunities: http://bit.lyrysesummercohort2021

https://rysecenter.org/blog/2021/5/25/youth-leaders-rysing In this month’s blog, see the various ways RYSE members embodied their power and took on leadership roles. Beginning with a forward by former RYSE youth and current RYSE staff Ann Guiam, the tone is set for what was a month full of youth-led workshops on such topics as Mental Health and Immigration, open mics hosted by youth, internships and workshops dedicated to youth growth, and a look into upcoming programming as we begin Pride Month, among other things!

This weekend, join young artists ages 13-24 around the country for the 2020 National Young Artists Summit: An Artistic Youth Revolution. This free virtual summit, entirely designed and led by young people, is a space for dreaming and using the arts to imagine a different and better future. Don't miss RYSE's workshop, Storytelling in the Making, led by RYSE staff, Isaiah Grant, and young poet activist, Adriana Avalos. The workshop will center different healing practices through storytelling as a way to explore mental health and future arts practices. Registration still open! Follow this link https://www.tfaforms.com/4859566 #YouthLeadership #YouthLeading #YoungArtist #NYAS2020

For this Saturday: free COVID tests and Flu shots. There will be goody bags with different resources, hand sanitizer, and masks as well as a food bank where folks can pick up 20-25lbs of free food. There's been a rise in positive Latinx COVID cases in the city of San Pablo and this is a Latinx event but it's open to all!

Thoughts for today, this week, and moving forward

Happening NOW! You're invited!

Today's the day! Power California put together a letter to voters you can press play on and afterward, you can read our joint message here https://capitolweekly.net/californias-young-people-of-colo/

"This week is another week in almost 500 years of state violence and harm against BIPOC, another week of almost 500 years of resistance and fortitude by BIPOC. This week is election week in a year of elevated and escalated distress, harm, white violence, and still too much white silence. While racial reckoning and reimagining run across our screens and emails all day, our systems continue to disregard and dehumanize BIPOC communities. How? By continuing to render BIPOC solel...y as problems and risk; by reducing our pain and fortitude to COVID case rates, unemployment rates, and virtual school attendance days; by adultifying BIPOC young people so they can never ever just be kids; by enabling a false normalcy of whiteness that allows white people and white-led systems to forego acknowledgment and apology; and by unfairly counting on our undeniable resilience and brilliance in the face of 500 years of violence and state-sanctioned harm. These are just some of the ways..." Visit our blog at https://rysecenter.org/blog/ryseandvoteandresist to read the rest of our official statement "RYSE & Vote & Resist" and ideas on how to show up for BIPOC youth during this time.

Here today until 3pm and tomorrow 12-5pm! Stop By the RYSE Annex & grab your Voter Starter Kit: Map of secure ballot box, early voting and polling locations in Contra Costa County Mask and Hand Sanitizer ... Limited edition election shirt for free!! Location: RYSE ANNEX - 4006 Macdonald Ave Richmond, CA 94805 (outside) Don’t forget to wear your mask! For more info: [email protected]

Tracking your mail ballot is easy. Just go to WheresMyBallot.SOS.CA.GOV - the official California ballot tracking web site - answer four simple questions, and you can follow the status of your ballot as it's received and counted. Helpful Links for CA Residents: --Register to Vote: bit.ly/RegistertoVote20 --Track Your Ballot: bit.ly/CoCoBallotTracking... --Check Your Voter Status: bit.ly/CheckyourVoterStatus CDC Tips for Voting: bit.ly/CDCvotingtips Helpful Links for Contra Costa County Residents: --Secure Ballot Drop-off Locations: bit.ly/securedropoff --Find Your Polling Location: bit.ly/COCOpolllocations #BlackVotesCount #myBlackCounts #vote #vota #RYSEandVOTE My Black Counts

A plan for voting in Contra Costa County. Our safety and security is on the ballot and whether you vote by mail, drop box, vote early, or on Nov. 3rd, safety and security starts with YOU and YOUR vote. For more info visit cocovote.us/e/presidential-general-election-november-3-2020

For our 4th annual Night Out for Safety & Liberation, we are excited to announce Freedom is a Verb: a Community Solutions Lab for Safety & Liberation. We hear the growing calls to defund police, #FreeThemAll, and invest in networks of care. We see and celebrate the struggle and spirit of this righteous rebellion. We are calling on youth to design community-based solutions to the problems they face beyond police, prisons, and punishment. Apply today for project funds up to $5...00! Visit http://bit.ly/FIAVlab #NOSL20 #SafetyIs #SafetyIsSolidarityNotCharity #SafetyIsInvestmentNotPunishment #FreedomisaVerb @EllaBakerCenter

Are you still wondering where and how to vote safely and securely? Stop By the RYSE Annex & grab your Voter Starter Kit: * Map of secure ballot box, early voting and polling locations in Contra Costa County * Mask and Hand Sanitizer ... * Limited edition election shirt for free!! Dates: --Sunday, November 1st, 11am-3pm --Monday, November 2nd, 12-6pm Location: RYSE ANNEX - 4006 Macdonald Ave Richmond, CA 94805 (outside) Don’t forget to wear your mask! For more info: [email protected]

Giffords is hosting a webinar tomorrow, Thursday 10/29, at 1pm ET / 10am PT to discuss how community violence intervention workers address domestic violence through their community violence intervention efforts. RYSE's own Kanwarpal Dhaliwal will speak among a panel. RSVP IS REQUIRED. Please follow this link https://t.co/Lj55BV0AMg?amp=1 to reserve your space. Access information will be sent upon RSVP.... From Giffords: "At Giffords, we work with community partners and other stakeholders to take a comprehensive approach to preventing gun violence and supporting gun safety laws and policies. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are pleased to announce this upcoming event focusing on critical approaches to more effectively addressing both community violence and intimate partner violence. Community violence intervention workers mitigate neighborhood tensions and respond to incidents of violence to help prevent retaliatory violence. As first responders they often serve within Black and Brown communities disproportionately impacted by violence. This webinar will address how violence intervention workers prepare and address domestic violence as part of their life-saving work. Join us to hear from: Clayton Rosenburg, Alliance for Concerned Men Stacy Spell, Project Longevity Kanwarpal Dhaliwal, RYSE Center Sybil Grant, PolicyLink & Alliance for Boys and Men of Color The discussion will be moderated by Tiffany Garner, Giffords Community Violence Initiative State Manager. Click here to RSVP. The webinar, which will include a Q&A portion, will be recorded and shared. I hope you will join us for this important discussion and share this information with your networks."

This election is about more than presidential candidates; it’s about our communities. Dismantling systemic racism, ending police brutality and protecting our rights requires us to demand new leadership, build power, and vote to make change happen. Visit myBlackCounts.org/VOTE to learn more or check the links below: Helpful Links for CA Residents: --Register to Vote: bit.ly/RegistertoVote20 --Track Your Ballot: bit.ly/CoCoBallotTracking... --Check Your Voter Status: bit.ly/CheckyourVoterStatus CDC Tips for Voting: bit.ly/CDCvotingtips Helpful Links for Contra Costa County Residents: --Secure Ballot Drop-off Locations: bit.ly/securedropoff --Find Your Polling Location: bit.ly/COCOpolllocations #BlackVotesCount #myBlackCounts #vote #vota #RYSEandVOTE

West Contra Costa students, parents and guardians, join us this Friday, October 30th, 3-5pm for a WCC Youth and Parent-led School Board Candidate Meet and Greet. Link to register for the event: bit.ly/StudentParentVoice Building Blocks for Kids Richmond, Healthy Richmond and the RYSE Center would like to cordially invite you to a virtual Youth and Parent-led Candidate Meet and Greet for West Contra Costa School Board candidates.... As we near the end of the 2020 election season we hope to create space for WCC parents, guardians and young people to connect with candidates directly and hear candidates discuss the issues of importance to them and the WCC community. The Meet & Greet is also an opportunity for parents/guardians and young people to learn more about local governance, how to vote safely and securely and build relationships with their potential elected officials. The virtual event is open to the public and will include icebreakers, small group breakouts for Q&A, performances, raffles and more! Please note: During the forum we will break out into small groups by WCCUSD districts. If you are not sure which district you live in, use the link below: https://www.cocovote.us/registration-/my-voting-information Link to register for the event: bit.ly/StudentParentVoice