I recently had a conversation with a long-time RYSE caregiver, who is also an Information Technology student. Many of our employees are students working in their field of passion while financially supporting their post-secondary education. He reached out to discuss some ideas for a paper he needed to write for a professional writing class. The assignment was to explore a challenge within his workplace, noting that our company had experienced a 14% revenue loss due to the pandemic.
Our discussion quickly revealed that, despite significant challenges over the past two years, our struggle was not primarily financial. We spent much of our conversation expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the Ministry, our community, and, most importantly, our caregivers. Despite having their own families, they made countless sacrifices during those initial 18 months. This included volunteering to quarantine in the care homes when a youth tested positive or isolating at home to remain healthy for work. They endured overtime, relentless sanitizing, temperature checks, mask-wearing, and stressful days on end. The question "When will this end?" weighed heavily on everyone in our RYSE family. Yet, the commitment to providing our youth with a safe, consistent, and positive home remained paramount. Our caregivers' dedication to showing up every day for our kids, despite the challenges, ensured that RYSE continued to fulfill our mission. I consider that a resounding success.
Perhaps Our Longest-Standing Success: "We Don't Give Up on Kids"
This motto builds upon another phrase shared in our first newsletter: "If not us, then who?" This embodies the spirit of RYSE, often being the last resort for services after other resources have been exhausted. Whether it's foster homes, group care homes, or other specialized care facilities, when others have struggled to provide sustainable care, RYSE steps in. We welcome these youth, no matter their past struggles, challenges, or placement history, and we don't give up on them. We firmly believe that every child deserves a safe and, crucially, a consistent environment. This commitment represents our longest-standing and greatest success.
Has it been challenging? Unquestionably. Our caregivers, along with residential technicians, plumbers, locksmiths, and glass companies, are regularly called upon as our youth navigate their journey toward acceptance and belonging. They test the limits of patience, understanding, forgiveness, and love, often expecting adults to give up on them. But our caregivers and their support systems possess the necessary qualities—patience, understanding, forgiveness, and genuine care—to provide everything these youth need and deserve. And so, they stay.
As we conclude this issue of our newsletter, I'd like to express my deepest appreciation for the entire RYSE community. Your steadfast commitment, resilience, and compassion form the foundation of our organization, guiding us through even the most challenging times.
Your personal investment in the well-being and growth of our youth is what truly makes a difference at RYSE. It's the genuine care and dedication that each of you brings to our mission that creates a nurturing environment, where everyone feels valued and empowered.
The stories of your challenges and achievements are what define us. They illustrate the powerful impact we can achieve when we unite around our shared goals. I'm excited to share more of these inspiring stories in upcoming editions, celebrating our collective successes and the individual journeys that contribute to the richness of our community.
Thank you for being such a vital part of RYSE. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, are crucial to bringing our mission to life. Let's continue on this journey together, fostering an atmosphere of empathy, understanding, and unwavering support for the incredible young individuals we serve.
Until we meet again in our next newsletter, let's keep our commitment to connection, care, and resilience at the forefront of everything we do.
-Danielle Kemble