“My life has been forever changed—not by prison bars, but by education and love.”

– Rising Hope Alumnus

2026 Alumni Gathering

The Way We Rise

Saturday, November 21 • 1-4pm

Union Theological Seminary
3041 Broadway at 121st Street, New York, NY 10027

Rising Hope alumni at our 30th Anniversary celebration

For over 30 years, Rising Hope has been providing pre-college education to incarcerated people in New York . Our program awakens their potential to grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially — equipping them to work for the good of themselves, their families, and their communities wherever their lives may take them.

Rising Hope students

Rising Hope student graduation

Hundreds of our over 1,300 alumni went on to earn bachelor’s degrees, and over 80 of these went on to be awarded master’s degrees — while still incarcerated.

Our alumni are founding members of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison and Rehabilitation Through the Arts , and their work continues.

Some of Our Amazing Alumni

Ronald Day, Ph.D.

Chief Operating Officer, The Fortune Society
Class of 2005
Bishop Darren A. Ferguson, D. Min.

Pastor-Elect, Macedonia Baptist Church
Adjunct Professor, Union Theological Seminary
Class of 1996
Sean Pica, MPS, MSW

President, Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison
Class of 1999
John Whitfield, MPS

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and inspiration for the Sing Sing movie
Founder of Divine G Entertainment
Class of 2002
Ernest Henry, MPS

Common Council Member, First Ward, Poughkeepsie, New York
Entrepreneur and radio host
Class of 1999
Wesley Caines, MPS

Deputy Executive Director, The Bronx Defenders
Galaxy Gives Fellow
Class of 2001
Samuel Hamilton, MPS

Re-Entry Unit Supervisor, Brooklyn Defenders
Board Member, The Fortune Society
Class of 1998
Jermaine Archer, MPS

Executive Director, Rehabilitation through the Arts
Class of 2006
Dario Pena, MPS

Entrepreneur and Advocate
Actor in the Sing Sing movie
Board Member, Rising Hope
Class of 2006
Kenyatta Hughes, MPS

Performer, Carnegie Hall
Galaxy Gives Fellow
Class of 2007

More Stories of Transformation

Our mission is supported by generous donors and partners:

The Bauer Family Foundation Inc.

Lawson Valentine Foundation

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Katonah-Purdys United Methodist Church

Union Theological Seminary

Hudson Link

The Petey Greene Program

Communities for Healing & Justice

Church of the Heavenly Rest

Central Synagogue

Rehabilitation Through the Arts

The Fortune Society

Circles of Support

Highlights from our 30th Anniversary Celebration

People standing in line at a registration table inside a church with stained glass windows, signing documents and handling paperwork.

A round table decorated with a floral centerpiece, a table sign indicating table 10, and a program booklet titled "Rising Hope" for a 30th anniversary celebration. The table is set with clear glass cups, silverware, and folded beige napkins.

A collage of 24 abstract paintings or prints arranged in four rows and six columns, featuring purple, black, and white colors with geometric and circular patterns.

A man with long hair tied in a bun playing a black grand piano inside a church or auditorium with wooden floors and a stage. The stage has a sign that reads 'Rising Hope,' a table covered with a white cloth, a podium, and a large screen displaying an

A large group of people gathered around round tables with white tablecloths, orange flower centerpieces, and place settings, in a hall with a stage and a screen displaying a photo of a person. Some individuals are seated, while others are standing an

Three people smiling and posing for a photo at an event with stained glass windows in the background. They are dressed in semi-formal attire, with name tags on their shirts.

A man standing at a podium giving a speech, with a large screen behind him displaying a presentation titled 'Bill Webber Service Award' and a photograph of an individual named Ernest Henry, Alumni '99.

Three people standing close together, smiling, with a woman in a floral dress holding a plaque, in an indoor setting with wooden decor and a staircase in the background.

A woman and a man posing together at an indoor event, with the woman wearing a navy blue knitted top and red pants, and the man wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a black hat. They are smiling and looking at the camera, with a crowd and a pipe or

Five men are standing together in formal attire at a banquet or conference, smiling for the camera. They are in a decorated room with round tables set with tableware and napkins.

Two men smiling and standing close together indoors, one with a name tag reading 'Hector 'Bon' Rodriguez' and the other with a name tag reading 'Ralph', wearing glasses.

A woman with long, curly red hair and a man with a bald head and gray beard smiling at an event. The woman is wearing a leather jacket and the man is wearing a plaid blazer. They are indoors with other people in the background.

Four people standing together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera. The group includes two men on the left, a woman with red hair in the center, and an older woman with short white hair on the right. They are dressed in business casual attire.

A woman with curly black hair smiling while holding a pamphlet at an indoor event.

Group of five people standing together at an art event, smiling for the camera with abstract purple and gray artwork behind them and informational posters on easels to their sides.

A man and a woman sitting at a restaurant table, smiling, with folded napkins, utensils, and menus in front of them. In the background, a woman with red hair and a black dress and a man in a blue shirt are talking.

Two men standing in front of a pipe organ with wooden scenery. One man is wearing a plaid shirt and glasses, and the other man is wearing a white shirt, glasses, and a beaded necklace. There is a presentation screen on the left with the words 'Rising

Three women and one man standing together at an art event, with purple abstract artwork on the wall behind them.

Group of people at a formal event gathered around a decorated table with flowers, drinks, and tableware, in a large hall with stained glass windows and wood-paneled balconies.

People sitting around a wedding reception table with food and drinks, smiling and enjoying the event.

A man in a light gray checkered blazer and pink shirt standing next to an older woman with curly gray hair wearing a colorful jacket and a name tag. They are smiling and posing together indoors, possibly at a social event or gathering.

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Rising Hope 30th Anniversary Celebration

Man with a short haircut wearing a black shirt, standing at a wooden podium, holding a microphone, and speaking at an event.

A man in glasses and a dark suit speaking into a microphone behind a wooden podium. There is a sign that reads 'RISING HOPE' with images of an open book and a bird on it. Red fabric is draped across poles to the right of the man.

A man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a white dress shirt, is speaking into a microphone behind a wooden podium in a room with wooden paneling.

A woman receiving an award from a man at a ceremony. The background shows a large pipe organ and a wooden wall. A presentation slide with images and text is partially visible on the left.

Group of people standing on a stage in front of a pipe organ, celebrating an anniversary, with colorful drapery decorations overhead.