By Ben Sefarbi
Creative Company

RISE Wisconsin — providers of community-based, strengths-driven mental health and care services to children, families, and young adults — celebrated the completion of their newly renovated building at 2120 Fordem Ave. on the Northside of Madison.

RISE welcomed friends, partners and members of the community to celebrate the grand opening with tours of the space. Dozens of community members attended the event during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Speakers included RISE Executive Director Scott Strong, RISE Board of Directors Chair Nyra Jordan, Capital Campaign Chair Deirdre Garton, and RISE Director of Development Maggie Waid.
“Life can be hard for families in the best of times,” Strong said. “The pandemic’s addition of health, social and economic stresses have really strained many people who need and use our services. We have seen demand for mental health services for young people and families increase in the wake of the stress of isolation and disruption in support services because of quarantine and other restrictions on public gatherings.”

The newly remodeled building was designed to be a warm and welcoming space for children, families, and the community to gather.

RISE has come a long way while continuing to offer essential services since the April 1, 2017, merger of nonprofits Community Partnerships, Inc. and Center for Families. Together, the organizations have more than 60 years of combined experience providing services in Madison and serve more than 3,300 children, individuals and families annually.

“We can feel the excitement building as staff moves back into the space,” Strong said. “It will bring people from different programs together so they can inspire each other and increase the good things we bring to children and families when they most need them.”

The RISE Capital Campaign recently surpassed its first $1,000,000 mark. The early childhood, mental health and respite services provider now have their sights set on reaching the next milestone of $1,500,000 in the coming months towards the campaign’s $3,000,000 goal.
To learn more about the campaign or how to donate, check out our website at risewisconsin.org/2020-2021-capital-campaign.