There is a quote by an unknown person that says “Difficulty calls us to rise up. And in that rising, we learn what we are capable of.” This quote embodies the remarkable Rise Up Rochester, a non-profit in Rochester New York. I had the honor to interview the Executive Director Wanda Ridgeway.
“When you lift up others you rise up together.” Debasish Mridha
Rise Up Rochester fights for “justice, healing, and restoration.” In 2008 after over 50 homicides in the city of Rochester, including the 2007 murder of James Slater who worked at the Action for a Better Community, the Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church held a countywide anti-snitching billboard campaign. People wanted to do something to stop the violence and support the victims of gun violence. By 2009 Rise Up Rochester was born after merging with another non-profit committed to the same values. In coming together more could be done to advocate and support victims rights, promote violence awareness, and provide support to grieving family and friends after the loss of a loved one to homicide.
“I have the personal faith that mankind will somehow rise up to the occasion and give new directions.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Rise Up Rochester is a mighty non-profit who for the past ten years has kept afloat by donations and only recently received a three year grant. The dedication of Wanda, the board of directors, and the volunteers is fierce. To them “community is everything” and they give everything they have to the community.
“Compassion is to look beyond your own pain to see the pain of others.” Yasmin Mogahed
Rise Up Rochester has a multitude of programs to help the community of Rochester. They sponsor Community Forums to discuss concerns, Safe Summer where they partner with other community agencies to go into the streets to engage with the community, and an annual Christmas Party for children of homicide victims. There is CERV (Community Engagement To Reduce Victimization) to develop safety plans, providing safe housing, and if needed relocation of people to safe places for victims who have been stabbed, shot, or experienced blunt force trauma. Rise Up Rochester comes to the victim providing help with no judgment, removing barriers to getting support and services. There is a yearly Service Of Remembrance where family and friends can honor a loved one taken by homicide. Twice a month Rise Up Rochester provides a support group for family members and friends to find support from others who know all too well the pain they are experiencing after losing someone they love to homicide.
Every year Rise Up Rochester sponsors a Billboard Contest where students from the city of Rochester can submit artwork that is proactive against violence, and promotes healthy choices. Winning artwork is displayed on billboards and in other prominent locations around Rochester. The Rise Up Rochester Response Team goes to the home of a loved one at a homicide scene providing care, comfort, and support in all needed ways, making sure people know they are loved and not alone. They also serve as a liaison between the victim’s loved one, police department, and any other services. Other initiatives include partnering with RIT to increase community engagement to help reduce violence. They work closely with SNUG, Pathways to Peace, and Roc the Peace to provide alternative ways and skill building so community members can resolve conflicts in a peaceful way. Time is spent developing relationships from going to high school sporting events to looking at having community cookouts in the summer. Rise Up Rochester keeps the light of hope burning by developing relationships and building trust with community members. Wanda’s face beamed as she talked about people they had helped who were doing well. The love that Wanda and everyone at Rise Up Rochester gave to others, along with support had helped people and had made a difference.
“A single act of love makes the soul return to life.” Maximilian Kolbe
In talking with Wanda the dedication and care she has for the people she has built relationships with through Rise Up Rochester. Her life experiences of the murder of her boyfriend and her nephew make her a part of the club no one wants to belong to. Yet for Wanda and every person connected to Rise Up Rochester they continue to explore ways where neighborhoods and communities can be connected and strengthened. Where people rise up together so less lives are lost to violence.
With honor we shine the Kindness Champion spotlight on the incredible Rise Up Rochester in Rochester New York. Where one Executive Director combined with a group of dedicated volunteers and Board of Directors bring healing and hope to individuals and families who have lost so much. Thank you Rise Up Rochester for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.
For more information about this incredible organization here is their information:
http://www.riseuprochester.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseUpRochester/
