On The Rise is a day program that works with women and gender diverse people who:

  • Are homeless and lack a permanent, safe, secure place to live

  • Are in crisis

  • Have experienced traumatic physical and/or emotional abuse by people and/or systems

  • Are falling through the cracks of our human service system because of the multiple and complex issues they face, and

  • Are living in severe poverty (even after they are housed)

Participants here at On The Rise have many different stories and experiences. It is important to note that while there are shared major challenges among participants, it is extremely common that they face many intersectional challenges all at once. To take a closer look at the average of 450 participants we serve each year, here are the various 2020 demographics:

Homelessness is about so much more than not having a home.  Participants at On The Rise face a complicated web of challenges that are often the result of traumatic experiences like childhood abuse and domestic violence; health conditions like chronic diseases, physical disabilities, and mental illness; systemic issues like poverty, racism, gender discrimination/transphobia and other forms of oppression; the lack of affordable housing, education and job training; and the destructive coping methods that lead to alcoholism, drug addiction, and legal issues. In a typical year, On The Rise serves nearly 500 women and trans/nonbinary individuals.