Resourceful Independent Skilled Empowered (RISE)
Help restore dignity and hope to Atlanta's youth in impacted by foster care.
Help restore dignity and hope to Atlanta's youth in impacted by foster care.
The RISE Young Adult Program is designed for youth ages 18–24 who are ready to step into leadership and apply the life skills they’ve gained through Camp Horizon. RISE participants play a vital role in shaping Camp Horizon’s programs—offering their lived experience, insights, and ideas to help us grow and stay youth-centered.
Through involvement in the Youth Leadership Board (YLB), RISE members can build real-world skills that prepare them for adulthood and professional success. They gain experience in decision-making, conflict resolution, event planning, and public speaking, while also learning time management, budgeting, and how to lead with accountability. Opportunities for volunteering, professional collaboration, and committee work provide tangible leadership experience that strengthens resumes and supports long-term goals.
Our goal is to foster a path into healthy adulthood paved with good decision-making, and a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, and personal success.
The transition into adulthood is challenging for any young adult, but for those impacted by foster care, the hurdles are even greater. RISE is here to bridge the gap, providing the critical support needed to ensure these young adults have the resources, skills, and confidence to succeed. By focusing on empowerment and resourcefulness, Camp Horizon’s RISE program equips young adults with the foundation they need to thrive.
RISE equips participants with real-world skills through quarterly workshops on financial literacy, job readiness, housing stability, and wellness. Paired with structured goal setting, these experiences give young adults the tools and confidence to live independently.
Each participant is matched with a mentor who provides personalized, bi-weekly guidance. With access to mentors and critical resources like mental health support, young adults receive the tailored help they need to overcome challenges and thrive.
RISE fosters lasting mentor-mentee relationships that extend beyond program milestones. These trusted connections provide consistent support and relational permanency, helping young adults navigate adulthood with confidence.
Through community events and alumni engagement, RISE builds networks of encouragement and accountability. Young adults take an active role in shaping the program, reinforcing leadership and belonging that continue well into the future.
At Camp Horizon, we believe in growing leaders from within our own community. Our Counselor in Training (CIT) and Leader in Training (LIT) programs invite young adults ages 18–24—who first joined us as campers—to step into new roles of responsibility and influence.
CITs gain hands-on training and mentorship in what it takes to be an impactful summer camp counselor. LITs help design programs, coordinate operations, and ensure camp runs seamlessly. Every day brings opportunities to learn leadership skills, set goals, and put them into action. Along the way, participants build resumes, prepare for college or careers, and discover the confidence to lead—not just at camp, but in every chapter ahead.
Through community, adventure, and empowerment, we walk beside youth impacted by foster care as they grow, heal, and thrive.
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