R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment
Four Corners Community Center, 16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714
About
R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment is a group of programs that include after school activities, summer camp, mentoring, and counseling for youth. The program is part of a larger set of services that emphasize counseling, youth development, and case management through the community center.
Hands of Hope America, which runs R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment, has a mission to equip, empower, and restore disenfranchised communities by providing accessible evidence-based services to individuals, families, and children in the Four Corners of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange Counties. The organization is a tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The leadership team includes Evelisse Bookhout (Founder and Executive Director), Maritza Garcia (Co-Founder and Food Pantry Director), Tina Sweeten, and Judith Cunningham, who also serves as Board Secretary. Evelisse Bookhout has a BSW from Southeastern University with a certificate in Child Welfare and an MSW in Clinical Social Work. Tina Sweeten holds a professional designation in Volunteer Administration (CVA). Judith Cunningham has a master’s degree in social work, is a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI), and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Strategic Leadership. Hands of Hope America is part of the Four Corners community of Central Florida and serves the counties of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange by organizing community food distribution events, providing emergency food assistance, engaging volunteers and partner organizations, mentoring at-risk youth, and assisting with local church youth groups.
Last updated June 1, 2026.
Hands of Hope America, which runs R.I.S.E. Youth Empowerment, has a mission to equip, empower, and restore disenfranchised communities by providing accessible evidence-based services to individuals, families, and children in the Four Corners of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange Counties. The organization is a tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The leadership team includes Evelisse Bookhout (Founder and Executive Director), Maritza Garcia (Co-Founder and Food Pantry Director), Tina Sweeten, and Judith Cunningham, who also serves as Board Secretary. Evelisse Bookhout has a BSW from Southeastern University with a certificate in Child Welfare and an MSW in Clinical Social Work. Tina Sweeten holds a professional designation in Volunteer Administration (CVA). Judith Cunningham has a master’s degree in social work, is a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI), and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Strategic Leadership. Hands of Hope America is part of the Four Corners community of Central Florida and serves the counties of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange by organizing community food distribution events, providing emergency food assistance, engaging volunteers and partner organizations, mentoring at-risk youth, and assisting with local church youth groups.
Last updated June 1, 2026.
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