Rise, Incorporated

02/25/2026

Congratulations to January Champion of the Month, Thor Whitworth!

Thor joined Rise in 2018 and has become a trusted leader in his role as a DSP Lead for both the C**n Rapids and Anoka Life Enrichment programs.

He is known for staying calm in tough moments, respecting everyone’s routines and choices, and creating an environment where both the people he serves and his team members feel seen and supported.

Read his full story here: rise.org/champion-thor-whitworth

02/24/2026

Each week, Tracy Green, David Hollingsworth, Jake Peterson, and Dan Webster work to make Northwood Technical College in New Richmond, Wisconsin, a clean and welcoming space for everyone. This Rise crew, with the support of DSP Steve Hawes, has become a meaningful part of the college community.

Northwood Technical College Facility Maintenance Manager Nick Watters says the true value of the partnership shows up in everyday moments: “The smiles, and the hi‑fives, and the hugs… this partnership goes so far above and beyond just the work they perform.”

Read the full story here: rise.org/northwoods-tech-set-site/

02/23/2026

There are many ways to support all the work happening at Rise, including planned gifts.

By creating a legacy gift, you help ensure Rise can continue supporting people with disabilities for years to come. Planned gifts can take many forms, such as a bequest, trust, life insurance policy, retirement account, and more, and are usually arranged through your estate plan or by naming Rise as a beneficiary.

If you would like to set up a planned gift, Rise’s Advancement Department is here to help. Connect with us at the link: rise.org/give

02/20/2026

We’re continuing our monthly Team Member Milestones tradition by recognizing February’s achiever: Austin Beatty! 🎉

This month, Austin celebrates 10 years with Rise! He currently works as a Program Supervisor for Rise’s Minnesota Employment Center (MEC).

Congratulations, Austin!

02/19/2026

Science Club is a hit at Rise Cottage Grove! 🔬🧬

This new club has quickly become one of the most talked‑about activities among our programs. It gives people the chance to explore real specimens, learn anatomy up close, and build confidence through hands‑on science experiments.

Science Club Instructor and DSP Billie Hoye shared, “I’ve noticed that our people served have gotten more comfortable and curious as we continue the classes. It’s so fun to see them become more involved.”

Learn more about what the club is discovering next: https://rise.org/cottage-grove-science-club/

02/18/2026

Meet Susan. She is supported through our Housing Support Program in Central Minnesota. Just like all of us, money is tight sometimes, and she recently was faced with a major car repair cost. Susan worried the unexpected repair would make it difficult to pay other bills like rent and utilities, which could put her housing stability at risk.

Rise’s Advancing Lives Fund was able to step in and assist her. The fund provides one‑time financial support for people in our programs for needs that aren’t covered by other funding sources, including car repairs, household essentials, work supplies, and more.

With help from the fund, Susan was able to complete the repairs while staying current on her monthly bills. “I can safely get to appointments, pick up prescriptions and groceries, and visit my sisters,” she shared. “Now I won’t get behind on my rent or utilities.”

We’re proud of the work Susan and so many others do to achieve stability and happiness in their lives. And we are grateful for the many donors who ensure our Advancing Lives Fund exists to help out during these kinds of emergencies.

02/17/2026

Today is , and we’re celebrating the kindness of people in our Forest Lake life enrichment program who volunteer every week at Family Pathways!

Each Monday and Wednesday, a small group from Rise Forest Lake volunteers at the Family Pathways Thrift Store, spending a couple of hours tidying and organizing the space. One of their favorite tasks is straightening clothing racks and making sure items are easy for shoppers to find.

Over time, they’ve built great connections with the staff and gained real‑world practice in teamwork, social skills, and work skills.

We’re grateful for all the kindness and hard work this team brings to the community.

02/16/2026

Valentine’s festivities were in full swing across our sites!

Rise Saint Louis Park’s celebration was extra special thanks to a special guest - Rockin’ Tony! 🎸✨

Our Fridley site joined in for the fun, and together everyone enjoyed a dance party, snacks, and a Valentine exchange.

A huge thank‑you to Rockin’ Tony for bringing the energy and making the day unforgettable!

02/13/2026

This Valentine’s season, we’re celebrating the friendships, relationships, and connections that make Rise special. ❤️

Lauren Ireland and Chantilly Lynch have been best friends for nearly a decade. They met at Rise, worked side by side at Finley’s, attend Rise Crystal together twice a week, and have supported each other through milestones, challenges, and everyday life.

Read their full story here: rise.org/celebrating-friendship-lauren-ireland-and-chantilly-lynch/

(The first photo features Chantilly on the left and Lauren on the right. 📸)

02/12/2026

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s a great reminder that everyone deserves connection. For people with disabilities, meeting others online can open doors to new friendships and relationships, but safety is key.

Elevatus Training is offering a free online workshop designed for people with disabilities called “Online Relationships: Finding Friends and Partners Safely.” This session, taking place on Thursday, February 19, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, will explore ways to meet people online, share tips for staying safe, and discuss what healthy online relationships look like.

Spots are filling up fast - get the details and registration link here:

A FREE workshop for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn how to meet people safely online!

02/11/2026

Visit us at the Minnesota Private Colleges' Job & Internship Fair on Wednesday, February 18th!

Rise team members Larry Nyguen and Myleen Kue will be on-site and ready to connect, answer questions, and share all the exciting career opportunities waiting for you at Rise.

Whether you're exploring your next step or just curious about what we do, we’d love to meet you!

Career Fair Details: https://www.mnpcfair.org/
Explore Open Positions: rise.org/jobs

02/10/2026

Our C**n Rapids Life Enrichment program hosts a winter bowling club every other week, where the goal is always the same: get a strike! 🎳

The club is open to anyone at Rise C**n Rapids, and each outing is filled with encouragement, high-fives, and a little friendly competition. Rise team members track scores throughout the season, making it exciting to see everyone’s progress.

As team member Thor Whitworth puts it, “It’s a great experience for everyone, and we always have a great time.”