> Read our Rise & Shine 2021 Program Report
Parents impacted by ACS become powerful leaders to make change.
Through Rise & Shine, you can:
- Build a strong foundation to become an advocate and a leader in your community;
- Develop writing and public speaking skills;
- Shadow parent advocates and participate in 10 hours of interactive field learning;
- Reflect on experiences and build a peer-to-peer support network; and
- Engage with expert speakers on child welfare history and law, parent advocacy, domestic violence, trauma, toxic stress and self-care.
Program details:
- Program runs 18 weeks and meets for 3 hours/3 times a week.
- Certificate and stipend are provided upon completion.
- Metro cards and light refreshments are provided throughout the program.
- Child care is not provided.
2020 Rise & Shine Speakers
Rise is run by Program Coordinator Teresa Bachiller, who was previously the assistant director at the Child Welfare Organizing Project (CWOP) and a parent advocate, along with Robbyne Wiley, parent leader; Bianca Shaw, assistant director for programs; Nancy Fortunato, senior parent leader; Tracy Serdjenian, editorial director; Keyna Franklin, parent leader; and Ashanti Bryant, program assistant.
2020 guest speakers include:
- History of Child Welfare Michael Arsham, Director, ACS Office of Advocacy and former director of the Child Welfare Organizing Project (CWOP)
- Moving from Trauma to Identifying and Using Centers of Power Tricia Stephens, Assistant Professor, Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work
- ACS Investigation Process and Seal and Amend Process and Advocacy Matt Diaz, The Bronx Defenders, and Washcarina Martinez Alonzo, Manhattan Legal Services
- Introduction to Coalition Building and Understanding Systemic Oppression as Connected to Child Welfare Erin Miles Cloud, Movement for Family Power
- Introduction to Parent Advocacy Sabra Jackson, Center for Family Representation, Hope Newton, Center for Family Representation, Bevanjae Kelley, Graham Windham
- Introduction to Community Organizing Arif Ullah, Citizens Committee of NY
- Introduction to the Policy Making Process and Legislative Advocacy Divya Sundaram, Community Voices Heard
- Combating Toxic Stress: Strong Families, Resilient Communities Nora McCarthy, Rise
