What Volunteering at RiseUP Really Looks Like: Amy & Madelyn’s Story

What Volunteering at RiseUP Really Looks Like: Amy & Madelyn’s Story

Introduction

The best way to understand RiseUP isn’t through explanation—it’s through experience.

For Amy, that experience has been deeply personal.

As a parent, a board member, and recently an event organizer, she has seen firsthand what happens when community members step into the RiseUP environment—not just to help, but to connect.

A Journey to the Right Place

Amy’s daughter, Madelyn, is 22 years old and lives with Rett syndrome. After finishing school, Amy faced a challenge many families understand—finding a program that could truly support Madelyn’s needs while also giving her the opportunity to engage, connect, and grow.

That’s when RiseUP became part of their story.

Over the past two years, Madelyn has been part of the adult day program, supported by a team that prioritizes both care and independence. With the help of her longtime private-duty nurse, Jenna, she’s able to fully participate in daily activities while receiving the medical support she needs.

For Amy, the difference was immediate.

She saw her daughter not just being supported, but included.

Bringing the Community In

Wanting others to experience what she had seen, Amy recently organized a volunteer event at the RiseUP adult day program.

Her goal was simple: make it easy for people to come in, participate, and see what RiseUP actually feels like.

She invited friends, coordinated the day, and even provided all the materials so volunteers could simply show up and be part of the experience.

What the Day Looked Like

As volunteers arrived, the environment quickly came to life.

Some gathered in the kitchen, working alongside participants to prepare spaghetti and help with simple tasks. Others helped set tables and organize the space. As the afternoon unfolded, the group transitioned into creative activities—flower arranging and spring crafts that brought everyone together around the table.

There was no clear line between “volunteer” and “participant.”

People were talking, laughing, creating, and sharing the experience together.

For Amy, one of the most meaningful parts was watching Madelyn in that environment—engaging, connecting, and fully included in everything happening around her.

What People Took Away

What stood out most wasn’t the structure of the day—it was how natural everything felt.

Volunteers who came in unsure of what to expect quickly found their place. Conversations happened easily. Interactions felt genuine. And the experience shifted from “helping” to simply being present.

Many left with a completely different understanding of what a community-based program like RiseUP really looks like.

Why This Matters

Experiences like this do more than fill a few hours—they build connection.

They create opportunities for individuals to engage with others, develop confidence, and participate in shared experiences that feel meaningful.

They also open the door for the community to step in, learn, and become part of something bigger.

For families like Amy’s, that means seeing their loved ones in a space where they are supported, respected, and able to thrive.

Looking Ahead

Amy’s involvement didn’t stop with one event.

Inspired by the impact, she’s already planning a summer kickoff gathering to bring even more people into the RiseUP community—creating additional opportunities for connection, participation, and shared experience.

Final Thought

You can describe what RiseUP does.
You can explain the programs.

But the real understanding comes from being there.

Sometimes, all it takes is stepping into the room.

Rising Together. Thriving Forever.

About RiseUP

RiseUP is at the forefront of advancing inclusion for neurodivergent individuals in Colorado. With a dedicated K–12 school, adult day and residential programs, and supported employment services, RiseUP provides comprehensive support from childhood through adulthood. RiseUP’s mission is to promote dignity and self-worth by building transformational communities where people of all abilities thrive side by side. Together, we RiseUP for inclusion.