Community Outreach

Changing the Lens on Homelessness

The Saratoga County Citizens Committee for Mental Health and the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness presented Changing the Lens on Homelessness: a public discussion on homelessness in Saratoga County in hopes to bring fresh perspective on homelessness. The event began with a video featuring stories of individuals who have or are currently experiencing homelessness… Read More

Community Outreach Court Participant Moves into his Own Apartment

Mayor Kim gives Jeramy a shout-out at the State of the City Address. Jeramy, who has been experiencing homelessness and living in the wood for about ten years, recently moved into his own apartment with the assistance of the RISE Community Outreach Court Coordinators.      

Saratoga Springs’ Community Outreach Court is the Only One of Its Kind in Upstate N.Y.

This article was published in the Saratoga Today Newspaper By Thomas Dimopoulos SARATOGA SPRINGS — In 2020, the city found itself faced with a problem. An increasing pattern of people experiencing street-homelessness were frequently failing to appear in court, while others were re-offending shortly after being convicted. The result was a backlog of warrants and… Read More

Mental Health and Criminal Justice Collaboration Training

Dr. Prezioso, Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Saratoga County, in collaboration with RISE Housing and Support Services, presented a community-based Mental Health and Criminal Justice Collaboration training with instructors Dr. Steven Lamberti and Dr. Robert Weisman, experts in forensic psychiatry.   The training focused primarily on criminology of individuals with mental health… Read More

Bridget: A RISE Community Outreach Court Program Graduate

In January 2021, *Bridget began participation in RISE’s Community Outreach Court Program. At the time she was residing at the Gateway Motel with assistance from the Department of Social Services (DSS) but was not receiving any services nor taking medication for her mental or physical health concerns – which were contributing factors to her state… Read More

5 Questions on Mental Health and Street-Homelessness with the RISE Outreach Team

  The Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness contributed this article that was posted in the Saratoga Today, 5 Questions on Mental Health and Street-Homelessness with the RISE Outreach Team. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness sat down with the street outreach team members at RISE –… Read More

Help Someone In Need

The RISE Community Outreach Court Coordinators Need Your Help! This is our agency’s least favorite time of the year. Code Blue season is over, and many folks have returned to uncertainty of where they are going to lay their heads each night. As a member of the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness, RISE is… Read More

Community Outreach Court – Helping People Turn Their Lives Around

The City of Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court was jointly launched by RISE and the Saratoga Springs City Court in October 2020. One its first success stories is a Saratoga Springs gentleman, who graduated after complying with the conditions of the court as outlined in his Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACOD). When the RISE… Read More

Community Outreach Court Impact Report

RISE Community Outreach Court Team Since its inception in October 2020, 46 individuals have participated in the The Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court Program. As a result, there have been demonstrable impacts on both participant wellbeing and public safety. For a complete picture of the impact the Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court has on our… Read More

The Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church Donates $20,000

RISE would like to thank the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church of Saratoga Springs (PNECC) for their donation of $20,000 to RISE Housing and Support Services in support of the City of Saratoga Springs Community Outreach Court (formerly known as the Homeless Court), closing the funding gap for 2021. In the fall of 2020, the Saratoga… Read More