OUR MISSION

Rise Above looks to equip students in a way that will allow them to reach their full, God-given potential through relationship restoration and academic credit recovery. Rise Above works to allow students to become connected to a community of people, businesses, and education through networking and resource sharing.

Meet the Team

  • Neil and Veronica Fernandes

    FOUNDERS of RISE ABOVE

  • Doug Blume

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Ciara Flint

    CLASSROOM FACILITATOR

  • Krystal Henry

    CLASSROOM FACILITATOR

Our Vision

Neil and Veronica Fernandes began Rise Above to give hope to high school students trapped in a cycle of hopelessness and burdened by a lack of academic support. They wanted to achieve this through education, life skills training, and character development.


They felt called to reach out to students who are marginalized in the system – those who have been removed from traditional school settings. After much prayerful consideration and research on the best practices for assisting this population, they formed Rise Above.

Rise Above seeks to come alongside students in ways which enable them to build strong, secure relationships that will, in turn, help students learn healthy and appropriate emotional responses.

At Rise Above, we are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our employees and students are the most valuable assets we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge (and education), inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees and students invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and organizational achievements as well.

Board of Directors

  • Neil Fernandes
    Pastor and Co-Founder of Rise Above

  • Katie Trachsel
    CPA, Auditor with the State of Michigan

  • Veronica Fernandes
    Co-Founder of Rise Above

  • Bishop Ricky Hogan
    The Rock of Salvation Apostolic Church, Jackson

    Brandon Cooley
    Owner, Prolific Family Chiropractic

    Alicia Soles
    Licensed Professional Counselor

  • I so admire the work you are doing. I would even love to chat at some point about how I can carry on the mission you guys are championing as I move ahead toward my student teaching and teaching career. I’ve learned lessons I could have never imagined through the time I’ve volunteered with Rise Above, and I want to keep learning as much as I can from you and the students.

    Volunteer

  • When I first got here, I was unsure if it would work or not. But it has because the environment is smaller so it is easier to focus.

    Student

  • I didn’t think that telling the truth worked, but it sure does!

    Student

  • I don’t remember the last time someone told me that my son had a great day at school. Thank you!

    Parent