I am stronger.

LaWandell returned home in 2023, a little over a year after he graduated from RISE's In-Prison Program in Nebraska.

At the young age of 22, LaWandell had a hard time coping with the reality of a 14-to-18 year sentence. The first time he was ever arrested was at 12 years old. It's safe to say adjusting to the system were rough.

In the last half of his sentence, LaWandell began investing in himself through enrichment programs, including RISE. He had a loving mother, family, and fiancée at home he desperately wanted to live a full, free life with.

While taking RISE inside the prison facility, LaWandell also learned about the RISE Family Program and encouraged his fiancée to get involved so she, too, could be prepared for when he comes home.

LaWandell placed fifth place in his cohort's business pitch competition and built a solid reentry plan with his RISE Community Navigator as his exit date approached.

His fiancée found a community that understands the impact of incarceration on families and provides meaningful support to those impacted by the system.

Today, LaWandell and his fiancé live in an affordable apartment raising their two-month-old son together. He's worked extremely hard to keep a great job making $20/hour and hopes to be hired on permanently in a few months. He's working through his parole process with flying colors and looks forward to being complete in 2027. He's inspired by his mother, fiancée, and their kids every day to continue pursuing a life of success and happiness. He's inspired, knowing that breaking the generational cycle of incarceration starts with him, now.

"This program helped me find out so much about myself and what I am capable of. I am stronger and more driven for success than I've ever been before. My family has even seen the change in me and has wondered why all the sudden I decided to change...and in all honesty, I have to thank RISE for that. Thanks to RISE staff and peers, I now know my core values, leadership traits, and the things that move me. So I look out and say to myself, LET'S RISE!"

Donors like you give families the opportunity to also rebuild their lives when impacted by incarceration.

Donors like you give parents and their kids a fighting chance at breaking the cycle of incarceration.

2024 RISE Giving Day

By RISE Academy

2024 RISE Giving Day

Break the Cycle

Team Members