“Happy RISE Day”

RISE Housing and Support Services staff and residents celebrated our new name with a virtual party, RISE Apparel, RISE Swag and of course a RISE cake!

Sybil Newell, Executive Director, and Paula Tancredi Penman, Associate Executive Director

The celebration began with an all agency video conference where Sybil Newell, Executive Director, expressed RISE Administration’s deep and heartfelt gratitude to all the staff and residents for pulling together, being flexible, and successfully navigating all the changes this past year has brought. Sybil shared a timeline of the agency’s history beginning in 1978 and she discussed the vision for the agency’s future.

All staff members received a box of RISE swag!

Paula Tancredi Penman, Associate Executive Director, shared details about the new name, RISE, one that inspires hope and action – a welcoming brand that embraces the process of personal transformation. And RISE Administration reviewed the agency’s mission, values, and approach to services.

Throughout the agency, both staff and residents enjoyed the delicious cake and shared why they like working at or receiving services from RISE!

RISE Main Office, PSAP, and Care Management

“I love working at Rise because everyone shares the same goal and is dedicated to helping the people in our community.” – Elizabeth McFarren, Adult Care Manager

“I love working for RISE because it has provided me an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the individuals I work with and in return RISE has supported me in providing opportunities to use my skills and continue to grow in my career.” – Emily Hudson, Child and Youth Care Manager

“The people, both the ones we work with and the ones we serve, are why I enjoy coming to work at RISE.–” Amber Pfeiffer, Senior PSAP Counselor

“I enjoy working at RISE because our agency makes a difference in the community and for the individuals who utilize our services. My favorite part of my job is the success stories and little wins.” – Jessica Rounds, PSAP Counselor

Edgewood House

*“RISE Staff has helped me through tough times.”* – **Dillard**

*“I like being a part of the group.”* – **John**

*“I like living at Edgewood because I like being with people.”* – **Michael**

*“RISE has given me a place to stay and I’ve learned a lot about living a healthier life.”* – **Steven**

*“I enjoy the staff and people who live here”* – **Tim**

*“Good Support System from Staff.”* – **Will**

“I like working at RISE because I believe that housing is healthcare. I love making a difference in the lives of those we serve and being a light for them in all ways of life. I also enjoy being a large part of staff and clients success as well as creating a safe space for everyone to grow and become the best version of themselves.” – Tiffany Ross, Edgewood House Program Director

“I enjoy putting people first always.” – Maggie Vogel, Edgewood House Residential Counselor

“I have enjoyed working for RISE and having the ability to help people live a better life.” – Frances Filkins, Edgewood House Program Supervisor

Rain House

“Why I enjoy working for Rise? That is an easy answer. Every day I am able to come into work knowing I can make a difference. I help individuals explore their capabilities and show them nothing is impossible. I help those we serve rise above and reach the goals they set for themselves. We see a lot of individuals walk through our door during some of the hardest times of their lives, broken confused, and feeling there is nowhere to turn. Then, we get to help mend the broken pieces, ease the confusion, and show them we are here for as long as they need.” – Jackie Knowles, Rain House Program Director

“RISE gave me a place to stay where I felt safe. The Rain House staff is helping me to be independent, be myself, and to aske for help. They prompt me to use my coping skills and walk away from conflict.” – Michelle, Rain House Resident

“Working at RISE allows me the opportunity to help others achieve their personal goals in a team setting. One of the best qualities of RISE is the team mentality. I do not consider what I do a job, love what you do and you will never work a day in your life and I love what I do. I love being part of the RISE team.” – Katrina Sherman, Rain House Senior Counselor

Milestone Manor

“Thank you for giving me a safe and healthy place to live. I appreciate the consistency of dedication staff and peers have to all come together and get through each day.” – Sheila, Milestone Manor Resident

“At RISE, I have the benefit of the staff always helping me through tough times.” – Emily, Milestone Manor Resident

PSAP Recovery Apartments

“RISE is an agency dedicated to supporting those in need find the skills to overcome life challenges. I enjoy working for an agency that empowers people.” – Laurie Clause, PSAP Recovery Counselor

“Congratulations on becoming RISE! One of the things I like most about being in a PSAP Recovery Apartment is knowing counselors are available 24-hours. It makes me feel safe!” – Kendra, PSAP Recovery Apartment Resident

Hedgerow House

“The genuine compassion and dedication of the people here at RISE for the people we serve is why I am proud to work for this agency.” – Julianne Thomas, Hedgerow House Program Director

“I like working at RISE because not only do I get to help other people who need it, I am gaining valuable experience in doing things I never thought I would be a part of.” – Nicole Smarro, Hedgerow House Program Supervisor

More from the RISE Main Office and Care Management

“I enjoy working at RISE because of the impact we have on the community and more importantly on people’s lives.” – Melodie Masterson, Data and Content Manager

“I enjoy working for Rise Housing and Support Services and have been in the Payroll/Human Resources for 16 years this June! Rise is flexible and Promotes work life balance, which has always been very important to me. Over the years I have worked with a great number of people that are very passionate in what they do – making a difference in someone’s life.” – Leisa Spakoski, Payroll and Benefits Clerk

“To me working at RISE means inclusion because we strive to come alongside people and interact with our Coworkers and Individuals so that we are all aware that we see each other, we are with each other, and we’re in this together.” – Erika Straight, Care Management Program Supervisor

“When working in this field, you must enjoy working with the people that you serve, which is why I chose to work with RISE. RISE offers a supportive work environment that I haven’t been able to really experience in my career before now. I truly love the above and beyond care my coworkers give to our clients. In human service-related work, it is easy to feel emotional exhaustion or burnout, but the support and compassion that the employees receive from RISE is second to none. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to work at RISE.” – Morgan Murdza, Senior Child and Youth Care Manager

“I really enjoy working at RISE because it makes me feel like I am making a difference in the community that we serve.” – Courtney Bryan, Adult Care Manager

“I Love working at Rise because of the company culture, the total support and the close knit community. Rise is a place where you are acknowledged are appreciated for the hard and sometimes stressful work we do daily.” – Sharon Anderson, Care Management Program Director

“I enjoy working at RISE a great deal, which is obvious after nearly 21 years of service! Being able to help people move toward the goals they set is very rewarding. Every day brings something new! Confucius said, ‘Chose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’”– Leslie Ives, Senior Adult Care Manger, AOT

“I work at RISE because I know there are leadership roles available that give me the opportunity to grow in my career.” – Janessa Ellmers, Senior Adult Care Manger

“I’m grateful to work at RISE and be able to help individuals that are struggling by providing support and hope! RISE is truly dedicated to helping the community which is awesome to be a part of!” – Victoria Furfaro, AOT Care Manager & Homeless Court Coordinator

Supported Housing

Elaina, a Supported Housing resident, shared a beautiful poem she wrote in tribune to our agency and most importantly to the people we serve that she feels expresses the transformative nature of our new name, RISE!

Winged Creatures

We all must face change, regenerate, rejuvenate,
Embrace metamorphosis, a cathartic, beautiful necessity,
In order that we may not simply wither and stagnate,
Ending up as little more than a distant, dusty memory.

A tiny cocoon, given just a little time…
What a magically incredible transformation to behold.
Inside its plain, temporary trappings, it will twist and writhe,
Suddenly, from there, a strikingly colorful butterfly explodes.

Igniting the surroundings with a burst of vibrant shades and hues,
Revealing a serenity, the appearance of perfect fragility.
In the mixture of those lovely pinks, yellows, and blues,
We assume the butterfly is not strong because it is so lovely.

It gracefully swoops and flits,
Doing dips and figure eights, dancing in the air.
This new life is nirvana, some sort of blissful stimulant
Free of tension, no worries, no cares.

We must always somehow find a way to reanimate
To come back as more than we once were.
We must never forget to give thanks and celebrate,
Because our new world will truly hold much wonder.

Take the majestic Phoenix as it rises from the fall,
Now capable, beautiful, graceful, and strong.
The ashes, the prior misfortune matters not at all.
How could such perfection ever “not belong”?

All of us have wings, some are simply hidden from view.
They are powerful sources of strength and creativity,
With these wings, there is nothing one can’t do
I challenge you to seek, to find your wings and RISE!