named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Program in Ministry and Human Services
College-level curriculum offering accredited courses in theology, counseling, and human services to incarcerated students, fostering personal transformation and leadership development
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Foster creative expression and entrepreneurial projects among alumniSupports alumni in pursuing creative endeavors such as clothing lines, comic books, and one-man shows, promoting personal expression and community impact beyond incarceration.
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Religious Education and Instruction 1 activity
- Recruit and engage retired clergy and professionals as volunteer facultyBuilds capacity within its educational programs by recruiting retired clergy and experienced professionals to serve as volunteer instructors in correctional facilities.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Support alumni career development and economic reintegrationProvides vocational training and professional development that prepares formerly incarcerated individuals for careers in skilled trades such as electrical work, boiler control systems, industrial hygiene, and hazardous materials inspection. Supports alumni in securing employment in social services and environmental safety roles, with some earning over $60,000 annually, contributing to long-term economic stability post-release.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Provide college-level education to incarcerated individuals in New York State correctional facilitiesOffers post-secondary educational programming through two 15-week semesters with classes held five evenings per week, including a summer College Writing I course at two facilities. Provides college-level courses accredited by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), with fifteen courses recommended for 3 college credits each, and maintains an articulation agreement with Nyack College for credit transfer toward a degree. Programs operate in three New York State correctional facilities, including Sing Sing, Fishkill, and Woodbourne, and have been ongoing since at least 2010.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$83K
Contributions & grants$78K94%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5K6%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$11K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$121K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$121K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Center for Court Innovation Partner — Supports alumni employment at the Center for Court Innovation in roles related to job development and community reentry services.
- Center for Justice at Columbia University Partner — Prepares alumni for research and advocacy roles at institutions such as the Center for Justice at Columbia University.
- Exodus Transitional Community Partner — Connects alumni to leadership opportunities at Exodus Transitional Community, including director-level positions.
- Exodus Transitional Community Partner — Wayne Atwell serves on the board of both Rising Hope, Inc. and Exodus Transitional Community, which supports individuals reentering society after incarceration.
- Fishkill Corrections Facility Partner — Location where Rising Hope faculty teach incarcerated students
- Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Partner — Partners with Hudson Link, where multiple alumni are employed, including in executive leadership roles such as Executive Director.
- Legal Aid Society Partner — Supports alumni in securing legal advocacy roles at the Legal Aid Society, such as Sentence Mitigation Specialist.
- National College Credit Recommendation Service Network — Accredits college-level courses provided by RHI to inmates in New York State correctional facilities.
- National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) Government — Evaluated fifteen Rising Hope courses and recommended each for 3 college credits.
- Nyack College Partner — Has an agreement with Rising Hope to accept up to 30 credit hours from Rising Hope courses upon student release.
- Nyack College Partner — Has an articulation agreement allowing transfer of Rising Hope coursework credits toward a degree at Nyack College.
- Osborne Association Partner — Facilitates alumni placement in care management and reentry support roles at the Osborne Association.
- Rehabilitation Through the Arts Partner — Collaborates with alumni who hold leadership roles in Rehabilitation Through the Arts, supporting arts-based rehabilitation programs.
- Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) Partner — Collaborates with or shares community space with RTA at Sing Sing, as highlighted through shared alumni and program focus in the film "Sing Sing".
- Rising Hope, Inc. Government — Recognized as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, making donations tax-deductible.
- SUNY Empire State College Partner — Has a Memorandum of Understanding with Rising Hope to waive application fees and assign mentors to help alumni navigate the application process.
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility Partner — Site for ongoing educational programming and faculty instruction
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adaptive Learning for Incarcerated Populations 9 orgsmethodology: correspondence_learning_adaptationBy adapting educational delivery methods—such as shifting to correspondence-based learning during disruptions—the organization maintains continuity of education despite systemic barriers like facility lockdowns or pandemics, ensuring resilience and accessibility in highly constrained environments.shared approach: Experiential Making and Learning →
- Academic Religious Studies with Inclusive Pedagogymethodology: academic_religious_studiesBy offering religious and theological education from a scholarly, non-proselytizing perspective, the organization provides intellectually rigorous programming that respects diverse beliefs and fosters inclusive dialogue. This approach allows students of any or no faith to engage critically with spiritual and ethical questions as part of their broader education.
- Restorative and Holistic Education Modelmethodology: restorative_educationBy integrating academic learning with personal transformation, relational support, and character development, the organization fosters dignity, moral growth, and whole-person development. This approach is grounded in the belief that education within carceral settings can restore humanity and produce deeper, more sustainable change than punishment alone.
- Volunteer-Powered High-Quality Education Deliverymethodology: volunteer_based_educationBy leveraging highly qualified volunteer instructors—often with advanced degrees and professional backgrounds—the organization delivers rigorous college-level education in carceral settings, ensuring both academic credibility and operational cost-effectiveness. This model enables sustained focus on educational impact rather than administrative overhead.