{"id":88,"date":"2017-10-02T19:51:04","date_gmt":"2017-10-02T19:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kars4kidsgrants.org\/previous-grants\/?p=88"},"modified":"2024-08-26T07:22:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T11:22:33","slug":"rise-above","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/rise-above\/","title":{"rendered":"Rise Above Tries to Never Say No to a Foster Child"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rise Above<\/a> is an organization that tries to make up for what it is most foster children have never had. Children, you see, should be protected and cherished, and most are. But when a child enters the foster care system, it\u2019s usually because of neglect or abuse. And that\u2019s as much an abuse of trust as much as of body and soul. It\u2019s damaging to the psyche.<\/p>\n

This is where Rise Above comes in, granting kids wishes beyond their needs. It\u2019s one way of telling these children what they so need to hear: \u201cWe love you enough to spoil you a little. We think you\u2019re worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s why Rise Above tries never to say no to a foster child who fills out a request form for a prom dress, a hockey stick, ballet classes, or a family vacation to Disneyland. These children have heard the word \u201cno\u201d way too many times. Rise Above is about saying, \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a mission Kars4Kids can get behind. We believe in giving children what they need to get ahead. We believe in making them feel special. That\u2019s why we were pleased to help Rise Above in a small way with a $500 small grant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beyond the grant, we thought to help spread word of the work Rise Above is doing. That\u2019s why we spoke to Co-founder & Executive Director of the Rise Above Foundation, Sarah Baldiga<\/a>. We think you\u2019ll enjoy hearing about this organization that\u2019s helping kids rise above neglect and abuse to grow up to be the best they can be.<\/p>\n

Just like any other kids.<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids:<\/strong> You co-founded Rise Above in 2009 and have created \u201c2000 smiles.\u201d What made you embark on this project?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sarah Baldiga: Rise Above began in 2009 to fill the need of providing foster youth with extracurricular activities and experiences that most of their peers are able to participate in. As social workers for the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, Rise Above\u2019s founders witnessed first-hand the powerful effect providing everyday childhood experiences could have on foster children\u2019s physical, mental and social health and the great need that existed to give more children these opportunities.<\/p>\n

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\"Rise<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids:<\/strong> Watching the clip we found on the Rise Above\u2019s website, we discovered there are 9,000 children in foster care in Massachusetts. How does this compare to other states? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sarah Baldiga: There are about 500,000 children in foster care across the U.S. and 9,000 here in Massachusetts alone. HERE<\/a> <\/strong>is a link to KIDS COUNT data, which shows the full breakdown of children in foster care by state.
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