About
Rise Youth Programs includes specific activities such as the Rise Summer Camp and the Rise Youth Council. The programs are connected with other Rise offerings, including the Rise Giving Pantry, the Rise Backpack Drive, the Rise Thrift Store, and volunteer opportunities with Rise.
Rise Youth Programs is part of Rise, which has worked with the local community for over fifty years. Rise is a center of social support in central New Jersey, focusing on Hightstown and East Windsor. Through community partnerships and direct services, Rise assists local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential. Rise is the largest social service agency and food pantry in Eastern Mercer County. The organization’s mission is: “Through community partnerships and direct services, we assist local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential.”
The broader Rise organization also offers the Rise Giving Pantry where people can shop for essentials such as fresh produce, pantry staples, and baby supplies; the Rise Backpack Drive to equip students with essential school supplies; the Rise Good Neighbor Program with automatic monthly donations; the Rise Thrift Store where every dollar spent is reinvested back into the community; a Domestic Violence Prevention program; New Jersey WIC Emergency Assistance; a Community ID program; and the uRise Campus, which offers English Language Learners, Youth Enrichment, Nutrition and Wellness, Become a Creator, and Community Connections programs.
Rise’s leadership and governance include Executive Director Leslie Koppel; Director of Development Kristen Cere; Rise Pantry Director Julia Badulescu; Rise Pantry Operations Coordinator Juan Cobos; Senior Case Manager & Holiday Gift Program Coordinator Maitiel Jimenez; Youth Council Director Sanziana Penafiel; Volunteer and Program Coordinator Valerie Benites; multiple case managers; and a board led by Board President Nancy Walker Laudenberger, Board Vice President Marjorie Gutman, Board Secretary Susannah Hollister PhD, and Board Treasurer Christian Thompson, along with additional board members and staff in program, operations, bookkeeping, and thrift store roles.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
Rise Youth Programs is part of Rise, which has worked with the local community for over fifty years. Rise is a center of social support in central New Jersey, focusing on Hightstown and East Windsor. Through community partnerships and direct services, Rise assists local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential. Rise is the largest social service agency and food pantry in Eastern Mercer County. The organization’s mission is: “Through community partnerships and direct services, we assist local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential.”
The broader Rise organization also offers the Rise Giving Pantry where people can shop for essentials such as fresh produce, pantry staples, and baby supplies; the Rise Backpack Drive to equip students with essential school supplies; the Rise Good Neighbor Program with automatic monthly donations; the Rise Thrift Store where every dollar spent is reinvested back into the community; a Domestic Violence Prevention program; New Jersey WIC Emergency Assistance; a Community ID program; and the uRise Campus, which offers English Language Learners, Youth Enrichment, Nutrition and Wellness, Become a Creator, and Community Connections programs.
Rise’s leadership and governance include Executive Director Leslie Koppel; Director of Development Kristen Cere; Rise Pantry Director Julia Badulescu; Rise Pantry Operations Coordinator Juan Cobos; Senior Case Manager & Holiday Gift Program Coordinator Maitiel Jimenez; Youth Council Director Sanziana Penafiel; Volunteer and Program Coordinator Valerie Benites; multiple case managers; and a board led by Board President Nancy Walker Laudenberger, Board Vice President Marjorie Gutman, Board Secretary Susannah Hollister PhD, and Board Treasurer Christian Thompson, along with additional board members and staff in program, operations, bookkeeping, and thrift store roles.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
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