Rise Above Foundation

10/18/2026

10/17/2026

In honor of National Pasta Day here's a throwback to earlier this year when we hosted teens in foster care for a special afternoon in a real professional kitchen at Regional Vocational Technical School making pasta from scratch with Chef Martin!

They cracked eggs, kneaded dough, hand-sliced fresh noodles, and sat down together to eat what they made. Chef Evan is a foster care alum himself, has competed on the Food Network, and has half a million social media followers. He was generous with his time, his skills, and his own story, and the youth loved every minute of it. 🍝

10/16/2026

Today we're spotlighting our Preferred Business Partner Resilient Community Arts in Easthampton, MA!

We’re grateful for their partnership which is enabling more youth in foster care to access arts programming!

Thank you, Resilient Community Arts for your support!

Want to learn more about our Preferred Business Partner Program?
https://weriseabove.org/info/partners/

10/14/2026

We’re 25% of the way there! 🎉

Thanks to generous donors, $2,500 in gifts has already been matched by the Esler Family Foundation. That’s $5,000 for youth in foster care.

$7,500 in matching funds is still available through 10/30.

First-time donors: your gift is doubled.
Past donors: give more than last year, and the increase is doubled.

Help us reach the full match: https://weriseabove.org/match/

10/13/2026

Our friends at Discovery Museum are once again hosting a special (and free!) evening for foster families!

Their 4th Foster Family Evening will be held on Saturday, November 21 from 5pm-8pm. Pizza is included! Registration is required: https://shorturl.at/jXQyZ

10/12/2026

Rise Above's offices are closed today, October 12, in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

10/11/2026

Can you spare a couple of hours to help us out in our Worcester office? We're in need of volunteers to prepare for fall events, newsletters & more. We're hosting volunteers on two dates this month:

Thursday 10/22, 5-7pm
Tuesday 10/27, 4-6pm

If you're interested in pitching in, contact us at [email protected].

10/10/2026

🥋 Free Self Defense Intro for Youth in Foster Care!

Rise Above is teaming up with our Preferred Business Partner South Coast Self Defense and Cardio Kickboxing to host a free intro class for youth in foster care. Youth will learn basic self defense techniques, meet the coaches, and see what programs South Coast Self Defense has to offer.

👉 Registration required: https://forms.gle/BSchVuMPvekLxNS39

📅 Friday, October 23 | 5:00 to 7:00pm
📍 South Coast Self Defense, 457 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, MA

What to expect:
5:00 | Check in, goodie bags, and meet Rise Above staff and coaches
5:30 | Intro class
6:30 | Pizza and program information

Youth must attend with an adult, and families are welcome to join! Adults will sign a waiver for each youth in their care at check-in.

Want to keep going after the intro? Rise Above can provide funding for youth in foster care to continue programming at South Coast Self Defense.

10/09/2026

We're so grateful to our Preferred Business Partner Pioneer Athletic Center in East Longmeadow, MA!

We’re grateful for their partnership which is enabling more youth in foster care to access gymnastics and movement programs!

Thank you, Pioneer Gymnastics for your support!

Want to learn more about our Preferred Business Partner Program?
https://weriseabove.org/info/partners/

10/08/2026

Every first-time gift to Rise Above is fully matched by the Esler Family Foundation through October 30.

Tell a friend why you support youth in foster care, and share this post to help more young people say yes to fall! weriseabove.org/match