We Rise

Numbers tell a story.

27 students. 21 weeks. 12 business plan presentations.

These 9th and 10th graders at Coppin Academy High School volunteered for the We Rise after-school financial literacy program and finished every single one of them.

This is what happens when young people are given the right tools and the right support.

It takes a community to change a community.

A special thank you to Logan Young and the entire team for hosting our Coppin Academy students at their Northwood Commons location and for serving as judges for their business plan presentations.

Meet Jyheim Culp.

Jyheim joined We Rise in 2023 and has risen to Project Superintendent of We Rise Housing and Community Development on House #2 . But one of the milestones he is most proud of has nothing to do with a job title.

Jyheim recently opened his first bank account.

In his own words:

“Having a bank account helped me in many ways. I save the money I earn from We Rise and I can track my progress through the mobile banking app. I don’t have to go to corner stores any more because I have a bank account. I was charged fees at the corner store. Having a bank account makes everything better, it is efficient and more convenient. I save money by depositing it into my savings account. A bank account makes everything better. It can also teach you how to manage your money and finances."

Economic dignity is part of the We Rise mission. A paycheck is just the beginning. We want everyone in our program building savings, building credit, and building a future.

Jyheim is doing exactly that, and at only 16 years old!

For the past four years, We Rise has spent an average of $5,300 annually on transportation. This includes renting shuttle buses to take groups of our students to business and educational events. In addition, we’ve covered rideshare costs while students build up their individual transportation allowances through the We Rise budgeting tool.

Any donation that includes the number 21 will go toward the purchase of a transport van. For example: $2.10, $21.00, or $210.00.

Why 21? We Rise received its IRS designation in 2021—the year this journey officially began.

This is the year we secure our own transport vehicle. Will you help us rise? 💙💙
https://werisecommunity.com/donate/