ORANIZATIONAL & EVENT OVERVIEW:

Rise Up Industries is a 501(c)(3) organization based in San Diego County that serves formerly gang-involved individuals recently released from incarceration. The mission of Rise Up Industries is to minimize gang involvement by providing integrated gang prevention, gang intervention, and post-detention reentry services. Big Night Out is the organization's most important fundraiser of the year. This year's event will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023. We will celebrate a decade of accomplishments and look toward a future of nurturing hope and kinship. As we disrupt the cycle of gang violence, we imagine a world where kids grow up with hope, opportunity, and joy. 

HISTORY:

On June 29, 2012, Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries challenged Rise Up Industries' co-founder Joe Gilbreath to start a nonprofit like Homeboy in San Diego. Joe and the other co-founders felt inspired but wanted to ensure they did not duplicate services. They proceeded to research 63 organizations in San Diego County using 31 services related to gang prevention, intervention, and reentry. After determining that no organizations in the county were offering comprehensive, long-term services for formerly gang-involved individuals like Homeboy Industries, they incorporated Rise Up Industries on May 13, 2013. 

IMPACT:

Here we are one decade later! What started in a garage with one CNC machine, one member, and the support of a committed group of volunteers, is now expanding to a 20,000 sf facility with capacity for 14 CNC machines and a program enrollment capacity of 24 members. In 2022, 7 members graduated from the 18-month Reentry Program, and all are employed to this day. Reentry Program graduates have a 6% recidivism rate, compared to the national average of 66%. Additionally, 100% of graduates were employed at a living wage immediately upon graduation by local manufacturing companies.