Rise proudly celebrates the 2022 Rise & Shine Graduates:
- Elena Bellamy
- Cassandra Gonzalez
- Loren Horten
- Giada Matteini
- Jaclyn Terrasi
- Kimberly Tyre
During the program, graduates complete:
- a writing workshop series in which they develop a publication-quality story and creative writing pieces, including poetry;
- a public speaking workshop series, in which they build skills and strategies for engaging mindfully, using their voice and body, maintaining calm and focus and connecting with their audience, self and message;
- community-building and reflection sessions using restorative justice circlekeeping practices;
- a community-based mini-project;
- 10 hours of interactive learning via “shadowing” and participating in advocacy and organizing opportunities.
About Rise & Shine
The 2022 Rise & Shine Parent Leadership Program ran from February through June, meeting both online and in person. The program supported NYC parents impacted by ACS with strengthening their skills, knowledge and networks to be leaders in their communities.
Through the 18-week program, parents:
- Built a strong foundation for community leadership;
- Strengthened their writing and public speaking skills;
- Connected with Rise staff, parent leaders and community organizers and participated in additional interactive learning, advocacy and organizing opportunities;
- Reflected on experiences together and built a peer-to-peer network;
- Engaged with expert speakers and community members on a variety of topics, including child welfare history and law, parents’ legal rights, community organizing, legislative advocacy, systemic oppression, podmapping, trauma, toxic stress and self- and community care.
>> Are you a parent impacted by ACS? Complete our Get Involved Form to receive information about Rise & Shine 2023.
>> Interested in learning more about Rise & Shine? Read our 2023 FAQ.
Rise & Shine Presenters and Facilitators
Rise extends deep gratitude to all of the Rise & Shine 2022 presenters and facilitators. Thank you for providing engaging and interactive knowledge-building workshops for the Rise & Shine program!
Presentations by Rise Partners
Fearless R2W Circle of Support
- Mary Burton, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Fearless R2W
History of the NYC Child Welfare System
- Michael Arsham, Executive Director, Office of Advocacy, ACS
- Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist, ACS
Introduction to Advocacy
- Sabra Jackson, Parent Engagement Specialist, ACS
- Leatha Jennings, Parent Advocate, Forestdale, Inc.
- Teyora Graves, Parent Advocate Supervisor, Center for Family Representation
- Maya Marshall, Parent Advocate, Rising Ground
- Hope Lissette Newton, Parent Advocate, Center for Family Representation & Rise Board Chair
- Elliot Williams, Parent Advocate, Center for Family Representation and Rise Board member
Introduction to Podmapping
- Dana Hanuszczak, Community Organizer, Voices of Women
- Raquel Sing, Executive Director, Voices of Women
Know Your Rights: Early Legal Representation
- Michael White, Jr., Staff/Early Defense Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Bronx Defender Services
Know Your Rights: Family Policing System Investigations and Cases
- Sabrina Calloway, Senior Parent Advocate, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
- Hannah Mercuris, Senior Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
- Daniella A. Schmidt, Senior Attorney, Family Defense Practice, Brooklyn Defender Services
Know Your Rights: NY Statewide Central Register
- Christine Gottlieb, Co-Director, NYU School of Law Family Defense Clinic
Legislative Advocacy
- Osman Ahmed, Training Director, The Advocacy Institute
- Marissa Martin, Executive Director, The Advocacy Institute
- Valeria Mogilevich, Curriculum Designer, The Advocacy Institute
- David Ng, Engagement Manager, The Advocacy Institute
Movement for Family Power Exists to Fight the Foster System’s Policing and Punishment of Families
- Lisa Sangoi, Co-Director/Co-Founder, Movement for Family Power
Moving from Trauma to Power
- Felicia Aleyne-Davis, Parent Advocate, NAC and Rise Board Member
- Dr. Tricia Stephens, Professor, Silberman School of Social Work
Rise Presenters
The following Rise staff members provided workshops for Rise & Shine on abolition, community organizing, parent leadership, systemic oppression and toxic stress:
- Naashia B, Parent Organizer
- Genevieve Saavedra Dalton Parker, Development Director
- Keyna Franklin, Assistant Editor
- Bianca Shaw, Co-Executive Director
- Shamara Kelly, Parent Organizer
- Shakira Paige, Peer Trainer
- Zoraida Ramirez, Peer Trainer
- Yvette Sequina, Rise & Shine Contributor
- Halimah Washington, Community Coordinator
- Imani Worthy, Public Speaking Coordinator
Rise & Shine Program Staff
- Teresa Bachiller, Rise & Shine Coordinator
- Robbyne Wiley, Senior Parent Leader
- Yvette Sequina, Rise & Shine Contributor
- Keyna Franklin, Assistant Editor
- Imani Worthy, Public Speaking Coordinator
- Tracy Serdjenian, Communications Director
- Ashanti Bryant, Program Assistant
