I hope you'll join me in celebrating the RYSE Youth Center's 5 year anniversary at a winter wonderland party Saturday December 14th.  

As a founding board member of RYSE, I'm proud of the young people's leadership, which is guiding the center's operations and programming. 

The vision for a new youth center in Richmond grew out of the needs articulated by youth after the tragic killing of four high school students in 2000. Young people expressed a need for positive youth activities and after school programming.

A safe, creative and enriching home-away-from-home to over a thousand young people, RYSE offers an array of activities covering leadership development, academic and career preparation, health and well-being, arts and culture, and a state of the art media arts studio. It operates in partnership with many other youth service providers.

On this special anniversary, I commend the center's success as a unique and much-needed resource for Richmond young people, and look forward to helping it expand to serve even more local youth. Take a look at this moving video produced by RYSE youth called Street Literature. 

This family-friendly birthday celebration is free and open to the public.   

What: Winter Wonderland; RYSE 5th Year Anniversary with music, food, arts & crafts, tree trimming and toy giveaway for children.  

When: Saturday, December 14, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: RYSE 205 41st Street @ Macdonald Avenue, Richmond

For more see the RYSE website, email (info@rysecenter.com) or call 510-374-3401.