Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Refugee Youth Solidarity Through Education (RYSE)
Legal Name (if Different): N/A
Also Known As: RYSE, Camp RYSE
Mailing Address: 127 Burnett St.
City: Providence
State: RI
Postal Code: 02907
Main Phone: N/A
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://www.campryse.org/
Employer ID Number: EIN 92-0282647
Organization Tax Status: 501 (c) (3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/30/25
Requested Amount: $3,850

Project Title: Empowering Futures: Teacher Mentors for Refugee Youth
Project Description:

The mission of RYSE (Refugee Youth Solidarity through Education) is to foster literacy, confidence, and community among K-12 refugee youth in Rhode Island. Camp RYSE is a free, five-week summer camp for refugee youth to experience hands-on, joyful learning and leadership development. We pair professionally-developed literacy and STEM lessons with traditional summer camp activities like arts and crafts, dance, sports, and swimming to provide daily opportunities for learning and enrichment. Outside of achieving our academic goals, Camp RYSE provides free, safe, and enriching childcare to refugee families in northern Rhode Island,and offers each child two free meals per day. Camp RYSE proudly improves students’ literacy while cultivating a lasting, supportive community of peers with shared experiences.

RYSE is requesting $3,850 to support refugee youth literacy by funding critical Camp RYSE personnel who are responsible for direct classroom instruction: Teacher Mentors. A grant of $3,850 would match funding already awarded by AmeriCorps, providing RYSE with the remaining funds required to hire two Teacher Mentors. Teacher Mentors are professional K-12 educators who join our team for the summer, ensuring a high-quality educational experience for all Camp RYSE participants by training program personnel in curriculum implementation, classroom management, and culturally competent teaching practices. During the program, they have a daily presence in classrooms, providing real-time advice, lesson adjustments, and student-specific strategies. Teacher Mentors work closely alongside Summer Educator AmeriCorps Members, who are responsible for managing a classroom of 10-15 refugee youth, leading daily literacy and STEM lessons, and facilitating afternoon activities. Teacher Mentors ensure that every Camp RYSE participant receives valuable summer education and enrichment that results in measurable growth in their literacy, confidence, and sense of community.

Total Project Budget: $7,700

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Camp RYSE 2025 has received financial support for a variety of projects from AmeriCorps/ServeRI ($100,100), United Way of Rhode Island ($75,000), and Papitto Opportunity Connection ($7,500). This funding covers the $3,850 salary of one Teacher Mentor but is otherwise allocated to RYSE programming, and we are currently seeking funding for the second Teacher Mentor position.

Project Duration: Five Weeks in July-August 2025
Geographical Area Served: Providence, RI and surrounding areas
Age Group To Be Served: RYSE serves refugee youth, grades K-12 (roughly ages 5-18).

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Sunni
Contact Last Name: Ryan
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 919-946-4026
Contact Email: sunni.ryan@campryse.org