Why I was drawn to work with RiseUp Partnership and AmeriCorps

I've been part of RiseUp Partnership's community since I was 15 and in 10th grade. I faced many challenges with my mental health and attending classes, so a friend introduced me to the RiseUp room at school. RiseUp welcomed me warmly and supported me throughout high school. Soon after discovering RiseUp, they encouraged me to become a mentee for more personalized support and to have an older friend to talk to. I loved the experience so much that I became a peer mentor during my junior and senior years. I continued as a peer mentor into the summer after graduation, but then moved away to start college and pursue a nursing degree. Without the same support system, I struggled academically and emotionally, which led me to return to Red Wing. Upon returning, I remembered how much I enjoyed supporting youth, so I contacted RiseUp to see if I could get involved again. They directed me to AmeriCorps, where I became a Promise Fellow for RiseUp Partnership, supporting youth through after-school programs. With RiseUp, I aspire to become a stronger leader and improve my communication skills by helping youth grow and develop. Now entering my second year as a Promise Fellow, I continue supporting youth while working toward my goal of becoming a nurse.

Lexy Howard
Promise Fellow