Rise Success Stories
*Names + Photos changed for privacy protection
Not All Parents Can Read
Shelly*, a third grader at a local elementary school was so excited to receive a book bag and three free books at our recent Free Book Fair. She took her time, carefully looking over the available books. When asked if she would like some help, she explained that she wanted to be sure she could read “all of the words” in the books she chose.
When our tutor suggested she could ask her parents for help if she did not know a word, Shelly’s response was surprising. She replied, “My mom can’t read. I read our bills to her so she can pay them…” Armed with this new information our tutor helped Shelly find books at her reading level and offered to help with any words she was not familiar with.
A parent who cannot read is an obstacle to education which is hard to fathom for many, but students in RISE programs face this and similar barriers every day. Now our tutor is Shelly’s reading buddy, the books she chooses to read are not limited by her ability. She is shooting for the stars and choosing books above grade level to read!
You can help budding readers like Shelly get books on their reading level. Visit our Amazon Smile Page and pick out a book that will encourage a new reader to read.
Shelly's Story
Nonreader is Now Reading in a Play
Trinity* started in the Helping Hands program last year in 3rd grade but reading on a 1st-grade level. Shy and withdrawn, she hated to read, especially out loud in front of people. Trinity spent a year with her teachers and a RISE Augusta tutor working really hard on her reading skills. Because of the individualized attention, Trinity felt safe asking questions and practicing her reading. As a result, Trinity started 4th grade at the top of her class in iReady scores. She loves to read now, proudly volunteering as a peer reader once a week for the 2nd and 3rd-grade classes! Blossoming into acting, Trinity performed in the play “101 Dalmations” - a role that demanded lots of reading.
Helping Hands provides tutoring remediation to students who need a little extra help getting to grade level. Become a part of the team that brings readers to the stage! Give a gift of $40 today to help RISE Augusta provide tutors in local schools: Give Online
Trinity's Story
Eye Exams Reveal Highest Need
Through the partnership with Georgia Prevent Blindness, RISE Augusta recently provided free eye screenings for every first grader in a local elementary school. The results of the tests surprised everyone! Almost half of the students in first grade were referred for further screenings - that was 39 students struggling with eyesight and possibly needing glasses. With support from generous donors such as you, RISE Augusta will provide follow-up eye doctor appointments and glasses for students who can not afford them.
With your donation of $50, we can support students who need glasses and eye exams!
Click here to Give
Eye Exams
Adopted Families Supported by Non-Toy Christmas
The holiday season brings joy and excitement for many families, but for the neediest, it can be a time of despair, sadness, and guilt. RISE’s partner Toys for Tots has already provided toys for our most needy families, but they still lack basic necessities such as socks, undergarments, clothing, and shoes. These basic necessity items will help restore dignity to caregivers who will be able to provide for the needs of their family and will allow children the chance to attend school fully outfitted and ready to tackle the academic challenges they face.
Adopt a family this Christmas for $150 - or any gift will help. Go to this link: Give Online
Support a Family
Glasses Launch Boy
Diagnosed with ADHD and reading below grade level, Jonathan* was referred to a RISE site coordinator. His teachers struggled to manage him in the classroom, and even within RISE’s reading groups, he behaved defiantly and disruptively because learning around other students intimidated him. When the site coordinator moved him to one-on-one tutoring and out of the small groups, he was angry.
But his anger dissolved as he engaged with his coach, who discovered Jonathan needed glasses. His mother could not afford glasses, so RISE stepped in. With his new glasses, he began engaging with his reading coach and successfully completed his workbook. His reading coach reinforced these academic achievements with craft projects and incentives. Jonathan improved so much both academically and behaviorally that he was reintegrated into the small reading groups within 10 weeks. At the end of the school year, he had an even greater achievement: Jonathan beamed as he received the Most Improved Reader Award for his entire grade level.
Glasses can make a huge difference for students who need them. Give today at This Link
Jonathan's Story
Sparkly, Warm, Pink Coat
Jasmine*, a bright-eyed second grader, was referred for remediation for reading levels at the bottom of her class. Low marks in other subjects, disengaged in class, and behavior problems were the norm for her school days. As she entered small group sessions, she now received the individualized attention to target academic issues, but also the attention needed as a child to feel valued at school. Chatting during a transition time, the tutor learned that the little girl had outgrown her coat as she complained about how cold she was sitting on the bus for an hour that morning. Through wrap-around funds, RISE provided not only a sparkly, warm pink coat but the message that she mattered. She began to work hard for her tutor. The impact of remediation shouted volumes as she proudly started third grade as the TOP reader in her class.
Provide a sparkly, warm, pink coat for a student who needs a message that they matter: Give to RISE
Jasmine's Story
My Book Monthly Sends Books Home
One of the sweetest ways we connect with our students is by making available reading materials that they can relate to. This year’s My Book Monthly initiative sends books home with children, as it has been proven that students who have books available in their homes do better overall in reading. Our book drives have made it possible to offer free book fairs for our students, who come into the gym or library by class and are told they can have any book they want from the selection on the tables. They seriously look over the options and select their own book to keep. Then the class has story time with one of the books read by a local volunteer.
Donate books our students would love by browsing and making selections on our Amazon Smile Page!
My Monthly Book
Chess and Mentoring Changed a Life
James* was constantly getting into trouble. Typically a hard working student, his behavioral outbursts were preventing him from reaching his potential and his grades were suffering. His teachers were baffled at the difference between last year and this year. His teacher discovered that both his parents had been laid off during the pandemic. As a result, there were a number of issues affecting Jame’s family including food insecurity, clothing for the children, school supplies, and housing issues, like overdue utility bills and repairs. Partnering with other local community agencies, RISE Augusta was able to help stabilize the family.
The RISE site coordinator decided to mentor James first and then tutor once his erratic behavior improved. The site coordinator tried to pick activities that encouraged success through patience and observation and as a result, spent three weeks teaching and playing chess with him. He was rewarded with more chess time when he showed good behavior in class. Although James never won a game at school, he loved it and showed a willingness to learn which surprised his teacher. A few weeks into “playing chess,” the student’s mother called our site coordinator excited about her son, and how he beat her at home round after round of playing chess. Along with his mother's affirmation, his teacher reported that he was more attentive in class, less prone to outbursts, and doing better academically. Chess and mentoring helped him with patience, but covering basic needs was the key to reaching James.
Help RISE Augusta make sure classrooms are equipped with tutors and equipment like chess boards! Give today
Chess + Mentoring
Cereal Brings Joy
A homeless mother with two children was referred to RISE for help and support. We worked in partnership with another agency to find her a stable home, but in the meantime, RISE provided a hotel room and groceries for her and the children for over two weeks. The children were ecstatic to see two boxes of cereal among the provided groceries. The 8-year-old replied that it was “ages'' since she had a bowl of cereal. Our Food Closets help mitigate the effect poverty has on academic achievement by providing basic food items to the neediest children and families.
Food is something we take for granted, but for those in great need, it can be a lifeline and encouragement. Give to RISE Augusta and helps us make a difference for families in crisis
The Impact of Cereal
Leadership Blooms Through Strong Readers
Now beginning her third year as a RISE student, Teesha’s* growth has been tremendous. She has grown from a struggling, shy, and withdrawn student reading two grades below level to one of the best readers in her grade. At first, her progress was slow, but that is definitely no longer the case! Her reading success has given her the confidence to do more and to try new things. Academically she is much improved and now works hard to be more involved in school. She has joined some clubs, participates in track and field, and on top of all of that she is running for Class Secretary. Teesha is starting her fifth-grade year motivated and ready to continue her steady climb to the top of her class and school. We could not be any more proud. Teesha is the “why we do what we do” at RISE Augusta.
Be a part of the wonderful results RISE Augusta is seeing in our tutored students! Give at this link
Teesha's Story
Violin Connects Community
Charles* really enjoyed playing the violin and getting free classes during school hours from the Richmond County School System. When his family fell on hard times after COVID, Charles had to return his rented violin because they could no longer afford it. RISE Augusta staff at Charles’ school were alerted when he told administrators he could no longer attend orchestra. Through community connections, a local music shop now enthusiastically provides a rent-free violin and free music lessons on top of those provided by the school. The music is lighting up his life - Charles loves violin!
Connecting community helpers to people in need is one of the things we do best! Help RISE Augusta keep helping families connect to community support. Give today at this link
Charles' Story
Sight Words
Cathy* entered third grade this fall at a local elementary school unable to read. Working with the site coordinator one-on-one, she focused on learning sight words first. After several weeks of tutoring, Cathy could read an entire storybook made out of sight words without missing even one! So excited, Cathy asked if she could take the book home to read to her mother! Every year we see students like Cathy go from struggling readers to engaged students.
With baby steps, our fledgling readers get up to grade-level reading. You can be a part of this exciting process. Give today at this link
Cathy's Story
Little Library Boxes Filled with Books
RISE is privileged to work with outstanding volunteers and partners. One of our volunteers found “Free Little Library” boxes in such disrepair that they were not being used. She and her husband got to work rehabilitating the boxes and RISE donated books to fill the new “little libraries” with books for the entire community. RISE provided novels, fiction and nonfiction books, early childhood picture books, and readers for children of all ages. A community member recently contacted RISE and thanked us for the books. They were so thankful to have access to books within walking distance of their home that could be retrieved at any time of the day or night.
Help us keep Library Boxes full of Books for the whole community to enjoy!
Free Little Library