Removing barriers. Making reinvention possible.
I lead Fox Cities RISE from a belief shaped by lived experience: people are not defined by the barriers they have faced. A barrier in confidence, education, work history, support, transportation, technology, language, recovery, disability access, or professional connection should not be the reason someone is left out of opportunity.
When the Job Center in Appleton closed, I saw the gap it left for people who still needed a clear, welcoming place to find employment resources, build confidence, and prepare for what came next. That gap helped shape RISE and strengthened my belief that practical readiness support should remain accessible within the community.
I am building RISE to help remove those barriers by bringing employers, volunteers, nonprofits, educators, community partners, and practical resources closer to the people who need them. Preparation should feel human, and support should not depend on someone already knowing where to start.
At its heart, RISE is about reinvention. It gives people space to practice, reflect, rebuild confidence, name their strengths, and step into a new chapter with connection behind them. My vision is a community where readiness is shared, opportunity is more reachable, and people are seen for who they are becoming.
The belief behind the work
Talent should never be overlooked because someone lacked confidence, opportunity, or someone willing to believe in them. RISE exists because readiness is not built by one person or one program alone. It grows when participants, employers, nonprofit partners, educators, volunteers, and community leaders share responsibility for opening pathways.
That means RISE is more than practice before an interview. It is a growing network of coaching, feedback, career exploration, professional connection, and community support designed to help people be prepared, seen, and connected before the next opportunity arrives.