Who We Are

RISE, formerly known as the Somali Bantu Community Association (SBCA), was established in 2004 by Somali Bantu refugees to support fellow community members resettling in Onondaga County. Believing that education was the key to success in their new environment, the organization began as a small homework help group hosted in a member’s home. As demand grew, SBCA moved its services to Dr. King Elementary School, and later to a shared space at the Central Village Youth Center.

With access to a dedicated space at the Youth Center, SBCA expanded its programs to include English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, case management, interpretation and translation services, and job placement assistance, among others.

In February 2012, SBCA relocated to its current headquarters at 312 Burt Street. This move allowed for the growth of its programs and more efficient day-to-day operations from a centralized location. With increased resources and outreach, SBCA began serving a broader range of refugee and immigrant communities beyond the Somali Bantu population.

To better reflect its commitment to inclusivity and its increasingly diverse client base, the organization officially rebranded as Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE) in the fall of 2015.

Today, RISE continues its mission to empower refugee and immigrant communities in Onondaga County. Our programs focus on promoting employment, education, and economic empowerment as pathways to long-term self-sufficiency and success.