About Us

Though RT was officially established as a nonprofit in July 2017, Bryan and Gina have been developing its unique team mentoring model for over 8 years through implementing educationally sound youth development programming for K-12th grade students in North Carolina. When the team moved to Virginia in 2015, they began developing an expanded model that incorporates trained UVA Student Facilitators. In 2016-17, the pair implemented a pilot program in Western Albemarle High School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes, which are elective classes for students who need targeted support to reach their academic potential and who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. After the pilot program proved RT’s effectiveness in increasing grades, attendance, student engagement and AVID enrollment, the team gained the backing of the Curry School of Education and Human Development, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the iLab at UVA Summer Incubator Program, Madison House, and Albemarle County Public School (ACPS) and Charlottesville City School administrators. For the 2020-21 academic year, Rise Together will serve AVID students at Charlottesville High School, Walton Middle School, and the Albemarle County Community Public Charter School. We will provide professional development and training for nearly 150 UVA students as well as targeted academic and social-emotional support for approximately 250 AVID students. Additionally, we will give twenty or more educators the responsive support needed to exceed AVID, national and state education mandates and initiatives