Rise Up Reno
I recently had the chance to visit Rise Up Reno Prevention Network, one of our incredible local partners dedicated to promoting healthy youth behaviors in Reno County.
Their mission is clear: to mentor youth, prevent substance abuse, provide suicide prevention support, and strengthen families and youth leadership.
Here’s what I learned during my visit with Carla, Todd, Alyssa, and Lisa:
1) They have three major focus areas: Rise Up Reno centers its efforts around three key areas: suicide prevention, youth leadership, and mentoring. Each of these plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of our youth.
2) Youth Leadership Groups: The youth leadership groups are making an impact in several schools—Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Middle Schools, Buhler High School, Prairie Hills Middle School, Nickerson High School, and Haven High School. These groups meet weekly to discuss upcoming events and monthly to learn new skills, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
3) Spreading the Word: A big focus for the youth leaders is raising awareness about mental health and substance use prevention, particularly regarding vaping. They create posters and work on projects based on their interests, allowing them to express themselves while educating their peers.
4) They also work to educate parents: Rise Up Reno also prioritizes educating parents about vaping and how to monitor their children's phones. Many parents are busy and might not know what their kids are accessing online. Resources like Operation Parent and PAVE (Parents Against Vaping) offer valuable information through their websites and through webinars! (Parents - take note!)
5) Mentoring Program: Their mentoring program is robust, offering 1-to-1 mentoring services. They’ve also developed a learning program at the high school level, where students can be aides and participate in various activities, such as archery. The "Read With Me" program brings groups into schools throughout the year, promoting literacy and engagement.
6) Archery’s Positive Impact: I met Todd Smith, the Lead PE Teacher at Faris Elementary, who described the archery program as one of the best things to happen for students. It boosts their confidence and helps them connect with peers. The kids are even starting an archery club! It gets them away from video games and teaches them about safety, with an emphasis on making sure their friends are safe, too. Plus, students can participate in state competitions, potentially earning scholarships.
7) Suicide Prevention Coalition: Rise Up Reno is also a key mobilizer for both the Reno County and Kansas suicide prevention coalitions. Their main mission is to connect youth and provide vital support to those in crisis.
8) Big who knew….Communities that Care Youth Survey: Every two years, students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 participate in the Communities that Care Youth Survey. This anonymous survey identifies high-risk factors and low protective factors in our community, guiding Rise Up Reno in determining the best research-based interventions. However, the switch from an opt-out to an opt-in model led to a drop in participation—from 58% to just 39%—which highlights the need for increased outreach. You can view the data for our county here: https://kctcdata.org The data is eye opening!
9) Volunteer Opportunities: There are plenty of ways for community members to get involved, whether it’s through reading, mentoring, or supporting various initiatives. Rise Up Reno thrives on community support, and every little effort counts.
My visit to Rise Up Reno was inspiring. The work they’re doing to empower our youth and provide essential resources is truly making a difference.
As we seek out ways to support our community, let’s focus on enhancing mental health resources for our youth. Teaching them that it’s ok to seek out support and that they aren’t alone is so important! Together, we can create an environment where every young person feels valued and connected.
If you’re looking for ways to help, consider reaching out to Rise Up Reno and getting involved—you can truly make an impact!
