Celebrating Service: Rise High Spotlights Team’s Community Impact This National Volunteer Week
Rise High, Inc., a local nonprofit organization serving youth across Schenectady, is proud to celebrate National Volunteer Week, recognizing the vital contributions of its dedicated volunteers. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week highlights the profound impact of volunteerism in building stronger communities and inspiring positive change worldwide. This year, National Volunteer Week will be held April 19 through 25.
Founded in 2017 by Omayra Padilla De Jesus, Terri Little, and Mark Little, Rise High is a free, weekly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program serving students in grades 6 through 12. Built around four core pillars – Engaged Learning, Sustained Exposure, Mentorship, and Cohort Experience – the program provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore STEM in a supportive and engaging environment.
Rise High meets weekly throughout the school year, operating on a Fall and Spring Term model that provides continuity and stability in a safe, supportive environment. Over time, students build not only academic knowledge, but confidence — exploring new ideas, developing problem-solving skills, and forming lasting connections with peers and mentors.
“Rise High would not be able to make the impact it does without the dozens of talented, generous, and caring individuals who donate their time each and every week,” said Gretchen Belanger, Executive Director of Rise High. “Our students benefit from having STEM professionals work with them, sharing their stories, mentoring them as they grow, and forming meaningful connections. Our volunteers serve in many roles – from mentors and instructors to food team members – and we are eternally grateful for them.”
Volunteer mentor Adam Vester, an engineer with GE, shared his experience: “I started as a mentor with the 6th grade cohort in the spring of 2025 and have continued with them into 7th grade. I love teaching and seeing the kids learn and grow. Watching them engage with lessons and discover something new is incredibly rewarding. While I chose a career in material science engineering, I hope to teach later in life, and Rise High allows me to fulfill that passion now.”
Volunteers contribute in many ways beyond the classroom, including supporting the organization’s food team. Christine DeLuke, a retired school nurse who has volunteered with Rise High since its start, emphasized the importance of these roles. “I volunteer with Rise High because it offers so many opportunities for students. Working on the food team allows me to connect with them during some of the most enjoyable moments of the day. Having worked with Rise High since 2017, I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to watch the students grow and mature into confident young adults who are excited about what the future holds.”
As Rise High looks ahead to the 2026–2027 academic year, the organization is actively seeking new volunteers eager to make a difference in the lives of local students.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, click here.