What Will the Next Generation of Leaders Look Like?
Our world is rapidly witnessing a shift in how leaders influence culture and challenge injustice, especially amongst young adults residing within the core of our city. Pressure is mounting for a new approach to solve systemic inequality and the chronic shortcomings of the modern era. Leaders who understand the value of committed relationships, who posses resilient determination to break free of paralyzing attacks to our mental health, and who not only can see with Kingdom vision, but can inspire it in others — these are the leaders who will be called upon by the next generation.
The Struggle
For too many, our inner city remains in the shadows. Consider the circumstances faced by too many of Cincinnati’s youth:
53% live in poverty, the third worst in the country
77% lack at least a 2-year college degree
75% come from single-parent households
Violent crime is 3X higher than the national average
In the face of such odds, the lack of hope is not surprising. For the devastated communities of our city to change, hope must be restored!
The Need
We need leaders who understand “The Struggle” to reach young adults like themselves and to give them reason to hope for a more abundant life in the future. Filling this need is critical for long-term sustainability and life change through the vehicle of ministry in the city.
But first, they must overcome tough obstacles in their own lives as they navigate through adolescence and into adulthood.
The Solution
INCLUDE - Healed from their past
Rising Leaders equips and inspires young adults from the city, instilling them with resilience so that they can bring about renewal in broken places. Where others see ashes, mourning, and despair, we see beauty, joy, and praise! (Isaiah 61:3-4)
INNOVATE - Equipped for their Future
We have developed an innovative way to recruit, equip, and retain gifted young adults. We provide customized resources, academic support, leadership training, and service opportunities to Rising Leaders candidates while they are in high school.
IGNITE - Resourced to Impact the Next Generation
After graduation, we enrich the diversity our city’s leadership talent pool and expand the reach of our well-resourced ministry partners by infusing the talents of our Rising Leaders into the pipeline.
They are privileged to provide hope and a future for a new generation of young adults. This homegrown approach allows our leaders to discover their potential and serve as an aspiring, relatable example to their peers – in this stage of life, and far beyond.
Specific ways Rising Leaders are being equipped to develop and deploy their leadership gifts include:
Personal development plans with accountability to a program director
Supportive community among college-aged ministry leaders
Adult coaches, mentors, and guides to help develop critical life-skills
Counseling, personal development, and academic support customized to their unique needs through partners like Back2Back Ministries, Dream Builders, and LEAP.
Scholarships for housing, transportation, career, and educational opportunities after graduation.
Rising Leaders Today
Equipping the Next Generation of Leaders
Supporting resilient leaders,
from the city, for the city, and for the Kingdom.
Rising Leaders is a holistic leadership development program helping students from hard places discover and develop their God-given leadership talent. They want to be used by God to participate in His restoring, redemptive work right in their own neighborhoods. Having heard Christ’s proclamation of good news, and beginning to experience the abundant life that He offers, Rising Leaders enables them to break free from generational poverty, and equips them as leaders in His life-giving work, foretold by the prophet Isaiah, to “renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Thus building the next generation of leaders from the city, for the city.
“Being led by leaders just like me is...priceless.”
— Rising Leader
WHO ARE RISING LEADERS?
They are 16-24 year old's from at-risk communities, nominated by partner organizations because they are "influencers" and show promise to become "multipliers" as they move their lives forward towards a thriving adulthood.
Transforming the City — One Life at a Time
FROM THE INSIDE OUT
The inaugural class of 8 Rising Leaders in April 2018 reflect the community from whence they came, growing up in more toxic homes than 88% of America. At the close of 2020, out of the ashes of single parents, scarcity, and abuse, those 8 Rising Leaders overcame the gravity of their childhood despair: 4 out of 5 graduates enrolled in college, 1 entered the trades, 3 were ministry leaders, and 7 remained active in their faith communities.
Today, dozens of new Rising Leaders are:
Enrolled as College Students
Apprenticing in the Trades
Enlisted in the Armed Services
Leading in Local Ministries and Non-Profits
Committed to Developing Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, so that they can Lead with Internal Strength
Imagine what the city will look like when hundreds of Rising Leaders are in our neighborhoods, businesses, and youth organizations.
Our Team, Partners, & Board
Our Team
Gladys Risma, RL Executive Director
Matt Jacobs, Senior Coach
LaKeisha Cook, Coach
Braé Dorcas, Coach
Stephanie Powers, Care Coordinator
Our Partners
Dream Builders University
CityLink Center
Back2Back Cincinnati
Learning Enrichment and Assistance Program, LLC
Our Board
Jen Van Kirk
LaMarque’ Ward Sr.
Anna-Liisa Vockell
Mike Marker
Previous Board Members
Jennifer Murphy
Brian Gardner
Bill Gardner
Andy Espenshade
Follow our Rising Leaders Online
FAQS
Aren’t there multiple scholarship opportunities for at-risk adolescents?
How can a student become part of the Rising Leader Program?
For an at-risk student who has no financial margin to pay out-of-pocket for critical personal development activities, growing beyond their individual limitations is extremely cumbersome, regardless of qualification or commitment levels of each student. Without some sort of support, these students' aspirations are often out of reach.
To apply to become a Rising Leader or nominate a candidate, please use the form located on the Opportunities Page.
Why does Rising Leaders need to address social and emotional healing for at-risk adolescents after 18 years old?
Our initial investment provides financial assistance for a Rising Leader candidate to prepare to go to college while they develop in our program as a high school student. However, without wrap-around healing or coaching, they are prone to, like many others who receive financial aid, fail to successfully complete college courses on time. We realize that money alone isn't the answer to overcome growing up in hard places. Rising Leaders partners with Back2Back to provide social-emotional healing. And our coaches walk alongside each Rising Leader to reach their full potential.
How did Rising Leaders Start?
How is Rising Leaders funded?
Is there a difference in your leadership model?
Rising Leaders program started as an initiative by Greater Cincinnati Urban Young Life, under the leadership of Gladys Risma, the program rapidly outgrew the dedicated core ministry focuses of Young Life.
At the beginning of 2021, Rising Leaders Inc. was established as a stand alone 501(c)3 non-profit organization, funded independently from the efforts that fund the work of Young Life in the urban sector of the city of Cincinnati. This was an essential transition for both organizations, which allows each to pursue their goals in a healthy and sustainable model.
A Rising Leader Coach's scope is wider and deeper than other organizations. They provide support over many growth areas needed (beyond just their spiritual development) to successfully transition from high school to a thriving adulthood. These areas include the spectrum of needs from educational, job, personal, professional, physical, spiritual, and social needs.
What are the requirements to be a Rising Leader Coach?
A coach is someone who is called to facilitate the process of a Rising Leaders achieving their personal development plans. They must be a person of a mature faith, who has had enough life seasoning to coach an at-risk adolescent safely into adulthood. All this takes time to build a safe and stable relationship and therefore being a trusted adviser. We provide significant training for Coaches. Coaches who are most impactful expend 6-10 hours monthly with their Rising Leaders.
What is your Non-Discrimination Policy?
Rising Leaders is committed to equal employment and volunteer opportunity without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.
This policy applies to all areas of employment and volunteer participation, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.