FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rise’s mission?
Incorporated as a 501© (3) private, nonprofit organization on August 2, 1971, Rise, Inc. supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment and safe, affordable housing in attaining their personal measure of vocational achievement, self-sufficiency, and belonging in their communities.
Rise is dedicated to building a community which is more accepting of all of its citizens and we support the development of creative partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and the general public to meet this objective.
Rise is governed by an eleven-member, volunteer Board of Directors and has more than 350 professional staff to carry out our mission. We served more than 3,400 people in 2008 through 45 employment, community integration, and housing support programs. The agency’s operating budget for 2009 is $28.7 million.
Where is Rise located?
Rise has 20 office locations throughout the Twin Cities, East Central Minnesota, and Central Minnesota areas. Our corporate offices are located at 8406 Sunset Road in Spring Lake Park.
For locations and directions to other Rise offices, please use the website “Find Services by Location” feature or call the specific office.
What types of disabilities do the people in your programs have?
We serve people who have a wide range of disabilities, including mental health, intellectual (developmental), physical, emotional, sensory (hearing and visual), learning, traumatic and acquired brain injury, and other disabilities. People need to be at least 16 years old, the legal working age in Minnesota, to participate in Rise’s employment programs.
Rise also serves refugees and immigrants who have other barriers to employment such as language, culture, lack of transferable skills, little education, transportation, and diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities.
What kinds of programs do you offer?
Rise offers a wide variety of vocational rehabilitation, training, employment, school-to-work transition, job placement services, and support services. We also offer mental health housing support services such as independent living skills training, transitional housing, outreach to people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and other housing supports.
In 2008, Rise served more than 3,400 people in 45 programs offered throughout the Twin Cities, Central Minnesota and East Central Minnesota areas. Since 1971, we have served more than 15,000 people.
What are Rise’s funding sources?
Rise has numerous “funding streams” which support our administrative, program, labor/production, and transportation services. The majority of our income is generated from program service fees, followed by contract labor and production subcontract sales. Rise receives some time-limited grants from federal, state, and county entities to support specific program services and special projects. A portion of our income is also generated through donations, special fundraising events, United Way contributions, and gifts from private foundations and individuals.
Why are Rise programs CARF-accredited?
Every three years, Rise undergoes a rigorous and thorough assessment of its program services by surveyors from CARF – the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. This intensive accreditation process examines and evaluates all aspects of the agency, including Rise’s management system, employment programs and services, production procedures, and administrative organization to assess its compliance of CARF’s international standards of performance.
CARF accreditation gives consumers confidence that an independent monitoring system is in place which is specifically concerned about their best interests. The community can be assured of Rise’s accountability and high-level performance.
What kinds of subcontract work do you do at Rise’s production facilities?
Our production facilities offer customers a wide range of subcontract services including assembly, kit packing, packaging, and bindery. We also have crews of people to work in area businesses in the service (retail stores, hotels, and restaurants) and manufacturing areas.
How does someone get referred for services and who pays for those services?
Each of Rise’s 45 different programs has its own eligibility requirements. You can look up on the web site for a specific program or contact our intake coordinator at 763-783-2813. The referring agent (i.e., county social worker, school district, Minnesota Rehab Services counselor, et al) is responsible for the service fees.
What kinds of volunteer opportunities are available at Rise?
Several of Rise’s programs have volunteers serving on project and business advisory councils to assist staff. We are always looking for new people who have good ideas to join us!
If you are interested in joining an advisory council in the areas of Central Minnesota Works (St. Cloud area), the Minnesota Employment Center, or Day Training and Habilitation services, please contact Beth DePoint at badepoint@rise.org.
If you are interested volunteering to do a short-term individual or group project for Rise, please contact Trudi Meloche, director of Development, at tmeloche@rise.org or phone: 763-792-2415. She will be happy to help match up your interests with a project.
Rise also lists project opportunities on Greater Twin Cities United Way Caring Connection’s web site at: www.unitedwaytwincities.org/caringconnection.
Check out our Facebook page at Rise, Incorporated!
