Why TruBLEND Learning Launched the RISE-NY Workforce Enrichment Program
Across New York City, too many students are graduating high school without the foundational skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce. Their reading, math, writing, and communication abilities are underdeveloped. On top of that, they’re entering a world where AI and new technologies are reshaping every industry — and they’re simply not being prepared to meet this transformation head-on.
TruBLEND Learning created the RISE-NY Workforce Enrichment Program to tackle these two urgent challenges:
- Students graduating unprepared for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.
- The growing gap in readiness for new careers created by emerging technologies like AI.
- Students graduating unprepared for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.
Unlike traditional school models, RISE-NY brings a corporate-talent development lens to K-12 education. We blend proven concepts from global workforce initiatives and tailor them to meet the real-world needs of underserved NYC communities — especially students and families in temporary housing.
We are proud to launch this initiative in three NYC public schools, delivering tailored, high-impact training experiences that speak directly to our families’ realities:
Saturday Academic Program at PS333x
This program aligns Math and ELA standardized testing questions with workplace problem-solving, helping students apply academic knowledge to real-world work environments.
Creciendo Juntos (Growing Together) at IS61
A bilingual (Spanish & English) workshop series for parents and guardians. It supports families in building emotional bonds, improving communication, and feeling empowered to navigate life confidently with their children.
Youth Research for Social Change at IS49
This initiative equips students to conduct rigorous, real-world research on issues like voter participation, economic inequality, violence, and education disparities. Students analyze root causes and propose solutions, learning critical thinking and leadership skills.
RISE-NY is more than a program — it's a movement to infuse community-based learning with forward-thinking strategy. By grounding our work in research and real-world application, we aim to break cycles of disconnection and create bridges to opportunity.
We’re just getting started — and the impact is already being felt.