Rise Above’s Start Above project provides a life-changing, positive opportunity to young adults aging out of foster care. Our most recent recipient was Quejanae, a rising junior at Fitchburg State University who’s majoring in psychology and criminal justice. In addition to being a full-time student, she has two part-time jobs, one of which is serving as a mentor to adults with …

In partnership with Compass, Rise Above is pleased to offer a unique travel, team building, and leadership experience for young adults in foster care. This three part experience will happen over the course of one year, between this summer to summer 2023 and will include: -an out-of-state 6-day wilderness trip -an in-state weekend-long leadership training -and a service trip to …

In early April we sent out 208 College Care Packages to college students who grew up in foster care. Each care package was filled with study snacks, hygiene and school supplies, and gift cards and shipped off to a young adult who is continuing their education beyond high school. “Thank you so much for the care package. You have no …

“Miguel and Daniel were so happy and excited to able to attend the Harlem Globetrotters game. They had so much fun and were able to experience this for the first time. Thank you once again for making the boys New Year’s so great!!” -social worker           Rise Above was able to give Austin his dream day! …

<– Click to watch a short video about the project!  Rise Above Foundation and the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) have partnered to build a playground that will strengthen family connections and promote healthy play. The Mercedes Ramirez-Newkirk Memorial Playground is located at DCF’s Worcester West Area Office and will provide a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate space …

In November, 268 College Care Packages were packed up and shipped out to college students who grew up in foster care. Each care package was filled to the brim with study snacks, hygiene and school supplies, and gift cards. Here are just a few of the notes we’ve received from youth recipients: “I just want to thank Rise Above for …

We’re proud to unveil our organization’s values! We’ve put into words the philosophy that guides our programming, interactions and decision making inside and outside the organization:  

Each month in 2021, Rise Above is giving a teen or young adult in foster care a shopping spree! We’ll pick one youth at random to win a gift card(s) worth $500 for apparel! The drawing is open to any teen, age 14 to 18, who is currently in foster care in Massachusetts, and any young adult 18-23 still involved with Massachusetts …

UPDATE: Because of COVID-19, our College Care Packages looked a little different this year. We sent out more than 200 gift card college care packages instead of our traditional snacks and hygiene packages: Do you know or work with a young adult who spent time in foster care in Massachusetts, is continuing their education in any way beyond high school and …

We delivered chocolate, ingredients, aprons and kitchen tools to 100 youth experiencing foster care. Youth also received on-demand instructional videos made just for them by Chef Josh Engel, guiding them in making three delicious types of chocolates. “We are loving this! Just made the strawberry cheesecake bark, we can hardly wait until it is done chilling,” a foster parent told …