Creating Space for Healing and Hope

Walking into Rising Ground’s Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) on bustling Church Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn there is an immediate vibe shift. The walls of the space are painted with soothing and inviting colors, and the reception area is decorated with scenes from nature, accentuated by a trickling water feature. This calmness extends into the therapy rooms that are similarly decorated with beach scenes and soft coral colors. A vibrant children’s playroom holds an array of enticing toys and books.

It feels warm. It feels welcoming. It feels safe.

All of this is deliberate and an integral part of the TRC which blends comprehensive care, advocacy, and outreach for survivors of trauma, violence, and loss.

Read more about the TRC here.

Read about the opening of our Trauma Recovery Center and Family Enrichment Center spaces in East Flatbush, see coverage of our successful 2025 Gala, and find our how you can contribute to our fundraising drives including our annual Back-to-School drive that helps NYC children rise, achieve, and succeed.

View the full newsletter here.

Your donation of backpacks and school supplies can lighten the financial burden for NYC families and help children and young people aged from pre-k through high school rise, achieve, and succeed!

We have 3 ways for you to help:

1. Purchase Backpacks & Supplies from Amazon

Visit our Amazon Wish-List and purchase items directly. 

Please select the Rising Ground (Sharon Pyle) address to have the items shipped directly to us in Brooklyn.

Donations preferred by Friday, August 15.

2. Organize a donation drive at your company/place of worship/community group or organization.

Contact Sharon Pyle at SPyle@RisingGround.org or 212-437-3551 for more information or to arrange pick-up of your collected items.

3. Make a donation.

Make a donation online here.

Checks can be mailed to: Rising Ground Development Office, 1333 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018-1064

Your donation will help children and young people, from Pre-K through to High School, start the new year equipped and ready to thrive! Thank you!

Food, fun, music, games, and therapy might seem like an unusual mix, but all will be on offer at Therapy Comes to The Bronx presented by Rising Ground’s Atlas program at Devoe Park on Friday, June 27 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE

On Wednesday, May 14th Rising Ground held its 2025 Employee Excellence Awards at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem to celebrate staff members marking Length of Service milestone anniversaries as well as honoring our Excellence Award winners, peer-nominated awards that recognize staff who embody our core values of Accountability, Connection, Service and Tenacity, and who meet our expectations of Respect, On Task, Achievement, Act Safely, and Responsibility.  The evening concluded with presentations to our Managers of the Year our two Employee of the Year awardees.

VIEW FULL LIST OF WINNERS & PHOTO GALLERY

Our active Community Engagement department facilitated a flurry of spring partnerships with exciting indoor and outdoor activities. Rising Ground staff also attended presented at events, sharing knowledge, and making connections.

Read the full newsletter online here.

Sign up to receive our monthly news emails here.

Mekhi’s Journey from Risk to Resilience

At just 20 years old, Mekhi faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge—a potential 7-to-10-year prison sentence after being charged with possession of a loaded firearm. This wasn’t the first time Mekhi had encountered hardship. As early as age 10, he experienced racial discrimination by police officers, planting seeds of mistrust in the judicial system and fostering deep anger and frustration toward law enforcement.

Mekhi was referred to Rising Ground’s Atlas program and has been receiving
therapy, equipping him with skills he now applies to his daily life. 

Read Mekhi’s full story here.

Coverage of the openings of our Trauma Recovery Center and The Yard – East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center, advocacy in Albany, and young leaders being recognized and more is featured in our March 2025 newsletter.

Read the full newsletter online here.

Sign up to receive our monthly news emails here.

Help Support Runaway & Homeless Youth 

As New York City’s largest provider of Transitional Independent Living services for runaway and homeless youth and with a Crisis Shelter and two Drop-in Centers, Rising Ground provides thousands of young people aged 16-24 with crucial respite, beds, and other educational and health supports to help them find positive pathways forward.

But there is an ongoing practical need that you can help us to meet!

This spring (April, May, and June) we are requesting donations of toiletry and personal care items, undergarments, socks, and outerwear to support over 4,000 youth in our Runaway & Homeless Youth programs. These items may seem small but can make a significant impact on a young person’s daily life. 

View List of Items

How to Help

1. Shop for items at Amazon

Visit our Amazon Wish-List and purchase items directly. 

Please select the Rising Ground address (Rising Ground – Racquel Jones) to have the items shipped directly to us.

2. Organize a donation drive at your company/place of worship/community group or organization.

Contact Sharon Pyle at SPyle@RisingGround.org or 212-437-3551 for more information or to arrange pick-up of your collected items.

Your support can boost the confidence of homeless youth, helping them get back on their feet and regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.

Thank you!

The Yard – East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center to Hold
Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, March 22 at 11 am
at 3521 Church Avenue

For residents of East Flatbush curious about what is going into the street level space at 3521 Church Avenue, all will be revealed on Saturday, March 22 when The Yard – East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center opens its doors.

The Yard – East Flatbush Family Enrichment Center (FEC) is one of 30 FECs launched by the Administration for Children’s Services in New York City. Although operated by Rising Ground, a trusted and longstanding human services nonprofit at the forefront of meeting the critical needs of New Yorkers, everything about the FEC — including the name, the physical layout, and the offerings it provides — is co-designed with families and community members. Participation is voluntary, free, and open to all community members. At the centers, families and children can connect with neighbors, volunteer their time, participate in various events and activities, and access resources and supports they need to thrive.

Read the full Press Release here.

View The Yard Linktree here.