About Reach & Rise®
Since 1992, this program (formerly known as Building Futures) has supported youth ages 6-17 who face significant life challenges. Developed by the YMCA of San Francisco, this therapeutic mentoring program reaches out to children in communities grappling with poverty, crime, substance abuse, mental health challenges and other hardships, providing the positive role models and support systems they need to thrive.
Reach & Rise® has expanded its impact across the United States, offering both one-to-one and group mentoring programs through 12 local YMCAs in 11 states.
Our Mission
At Reach & Rise®, our mission is to empower at-risk youth by providing therapeutic mentorship that nurtures their potential, supports their mental well-being, and guides them through life’s challenges. By fostering high-quality mentoring relationships, we aim to prevent involvement in the juvenile justice system, mitigate trauma, and create pathways to success.
Our Approach
Therapeutic Mentoring: Our program blends evidence-based practices with a compassionate approach. Each youth is matched with a dedicated mentor. Mentors help reinforce positive coping skills, challenge negative thinking, and connect youth to school, job opportunities, and the broader community. Through shared experiences, mentors broaden the youth’s perspective and sense of what is possible.
Training & Support: High quality training ensures mentors are equipped to make a meaningful impact, and ongoing support helps them succeed. Volunteers receive 18 hours of training before being matched with a mentee, and ongoing support. The training curriculum is derived from over 30 years of organizational expertise in providing mental health services to a diverse population of delinquent and pre-delinquent youth.
Reach & Rise® Impact
Reach & Rise Has Served More Than 10,000 Youth & Host 400 Mentors Each Year!
- Reduces Juvenile Delinquency: Youth with a Reach & Rise® mentor are 2.3 times less likely to be involved in juvenile delinquent behaviors.
- Supports Alternative Coping Skills: Youth with a Reach & Rise® mentor are twice as likely to avoid substance use.
- Improves Family Relationships: Builds stronger cohesion and positive change within family dynamics.
- Enhances Academic Performance: Reduces truancy and improves classroom preparedness, behavior, and grades.
Reach & Rise® Model
Reach & Rise tailors mentoring to optimize the effectiveness of mentorship using three key strategies:
- Understanding the long-term goals of the mentee and their family through the inclusion of parents and caregivers in the match & mentoring process. Program Directors provide case management and supportive services to meet the deeper needs of mentees and their families.
- Comprehending the current challenges youth face and equipping mentors with the necessary tools to address them together
- Maintaining frequent communication and monitoring the weekly progress of the mentor-mentee-family relationship.
One-to-One Mentoring Program
The Reach & Rise® one-to-one mentoring program pairs a youth with a dedicated adult mentor for 12 to 18 months. This trusted relationship offers consistent guidance and nurturing support, helping the youth build self-esteem, improve decision-making, and strengthen interpersonal relationships.
Group Mentoring Program
Our alternative model offer is a group mentoring model, which involves small group sessions with two mentors for every eight youth. The group mentoring program includes activities that build trust and competence in problem-solving, bullying, peer pressure, and anger management skills. Group mentoring serves as an important alternative for youth who may benefit from peer support and shared experiences, fostering a sense of community and collective learning.
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National Team
Jennifer Kriebl
National Director, Reach & Rise®
As a longtime social worker, Jennifer believes in giving back to the community. Be a mentor! She oversees the Reach & Rise national