United Way of the Mark Twain Area to launch RISE program in Hannibal in March

HANNIBAL, Mo. — United Way of the Mark Twain Area recently announced the RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) program of the Drew Lewis Foundation, based in Springfield, Mo., will be launched in Hannibal.

People enrolled in RISE attend a 17-week program that provides weekly classes paired with one-on-one coaching that works to address root issues that keep people living paycheck to paycheck and go from surviving to thriving.

The program provides education and support and covers topics like financial empowerment, personal and professional development, connections to valuable community resources, goal setting and more. Personalized coaching reiterates and supports in-class learning to help people enrolled meet and achieve their personal goals.

The need for the RISE programing was identified nearly a year and a half ago when frequently local nonprofit leaders ran into situations where a lack of self-efficacy, financial knowledge and more was resulting in situations that created crises for local community members. It was discussed that with the appropriate support, tools, skill, and education, many of these individuals would thrive. Programs were then sought to meet this need.

State Rep. Louis Riggs connected with Denise Damron, executive director of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, to share about the Drew Lewis Foundation.

Damron and Craig Parsons, the Marion County Health Department Director who also serves on the United Way Board of Directors, learned of the RISE program and found it a perfect fit to address many needs of people within the community. Conversation and education began for United Way to engage with the Drew Lewis Foundation and the RISE Program.

The RISE Program has existed in Springfield for nine years. Data shows that RISE graduates have increased their household income by as much as $1,200 per month, increased their food security, increased their credit score by 120 points and self-reported an improvement in their mental and physical health.

In a press release, Damron said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Drew Lewis Foundation to bring the RISE program to our community. This program aligns perfectly with our vision to empower individuals to achieve their potential by providing them the tools and skills they need. The RISE Program has proven results that show people who have enrolled and graduated from the program learn the skillset they need to overcome barriers and thrive. It truly is an upward mobility program.”

A pilot cohort of the RISE program will launch in March in Hannibal. The core team working to implement the pilot cohort of RISE includes:

• Tim Lovitt, a local Dave Ramsey and John Maxwell trained facilitator who volunteers through Harvest Outreach Ministries.
• Ben Strother, who holds a doctorate in personal financial planning and is a financial advisor with Benson Financial.
• Sean Freeman, an entrepreneurial specialist with the Small Business Development Center at Hannibal Regional Economic Development Center.
• Starla Dunn, community health nurse educator at the Marion County Health Department.
• Damron.

Other community members have voiced interest in participating in and leading various parts of the program and will be brought in after the initial pilot cohort.

“The Drew Lewis Foundation is excited to expand the RISE program into the Hannibal Community through this partnership with United Way,” said Jessica Smith, Drew Lewis Foundation’s director of RISE Expansion. “We believe that by providing personalized support and resources, we can empower individuals to achieve their full potential and create lasting positive change in their lives and the community.”

Work is underway to recruit participants for the initial cohort. If people are interested in being part or learning more, they are encouraged to reach out to Damron at director@unitedwaymta.org or 573-221-2761.