Youth Rising
"Inspiring Youth Today, Building Leaders for Tomorrow."
MISSION STATEMENT
At Youth Rising, our mission is to empower, equip, and elevate the next generation of diverse leaders by fostering a transformative environment where young people—regardless of gender, background, or circumstance—can unlock their fullest potential and rise as confident, compassionate, and purpose-driven change makers.
We are committed to breaking down barriers and creating inclusive spaces where boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 24 can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Through comprehensive mentorship, dynamic leadership training, creative expression, and community engagement, Youth Rising provides the tools, knowledge, and opportunities necessary for young individuals to cultivate self-worth, master emotional intelligence, and lead with courage, empathy, and vision.
Our work is anchored in
five core pillars:
Empowerment
We strive to empower youth to embrace their authentic selves, fostering resilience, self-confidence, and a growth mindset. Through personal development workshops, self-worth awareness training, and mindset coaching, we equip young people with the skills to overcome challenges, defy limitations, and transform obstacles into opportunities.
Leadership Development
We are dedicated to cultivating bold, forward-thinking leaders who are equipped to make lasting impacts in their schools, communities, and future careers.
Youth Rising delivers a progressive leadership curriculum that nurtures decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, communication, and the ability to lead with empathy, inclusivity, and integrity.
Purpose Exploration & Future Planning
We believe that every young person has a unique calling and the potential to create meaningful change.
Our programs guide youth in exploring their passions, discovering their life purpose, and mapping out future career pathways.
We provide practical tools in goal-setting, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and academic readiness, ensuring our youth are prepared for lifelong success.
Business & Entrepreneurship
We believe in preparing youth not only for employment but also for ownership.
Through entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and business-building workshops, we equip young leaders with the skills to develop, launch, and sustain their own ventures.
Participants will learn how to identify opportunities, create business plans, develop marketing strategies, and understand financial management—empowering them to become job creators and industry innovators.
Community Engagement & Social Impact
Youth Rising fosters a deep sense of civic responsibility by encouraging participants to engage in service projects, advocacy efforts, and social impact initiatives.
We cultivate change makers who not only lead but also give back, using their voices, skills, and passions to strengthen communities and create a ripple effect of positive change.
REMEMBER
We envision a world where every young person feels seen, valued, and capable of achieving greatness. A world where youth, regardless of socioeconomic status or life circumstances, are empowered to lead with integrity, purpose, and compassion.
Our Commitment:
Youth Rising is committed to building sustainable pathways to leadership, education, and personal growth for future generations. We aim to create a legacy of empowered youth who will break generational cycles, advocate for equity, and become trailblazers in their chosen fields.
Through Youth Rising, we are not just building leaders—we are building communities, igniting futures, and inspiring a global movement of young change makers who will shape a brighter tomorrow.
Together, We Rise.
Youth Rising
"Inspiring Youth Today, Building Leaders for Tomorrow."
MISSION STATEMENT
RE-WILDING IS FOR YOU IF YOU'RE
Ready to Stop...
APOLOGIZING or expressing emotions, having opinions, taking up space, or wanting to help.
Being DISCONNECTED from your body and feeling UNCOMFORTABLE in your own skin.
Ignoring your physical, mental, emotional, and energetic needs to GET MORE DONE or PLEASE OTHERS.
Feeling doubt, guilt, or distrust of your own desires and instincts.
Working harder than ever and still feeling like you're NOT ENOUGH.
Anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, depression, stress, sleep troubles, or chronic tension.
Our Story
Youth Rising was born out of a moment of inspiration. During a BALM GLOBAL Official Business event, children and teens, ranging from ages 3 to 17, were captivated by the powerful stories shared by our speakers.
Their curiosity, engagement, and deep understanding of the messages sparked an idea—what if we created a space specifically for young leaders to rise, learn, and grow?
When we reconnected in our Ladies of Leadership meeting, it became clear that the next generation was absorbing the wisdom and inspiration from our community.
That’s when the concept of Ladies Rising was first mentioned, and within 24 hours, the program was created.From that moment, we committed to encouraging attendees to bring their teens to our events, fostering a multi-generational learning experience.
Seeing their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, we knew we had to take action. As we finally put this initiative in motion, we knew deep in our hearts that all youth and teens need this support now more than ever before.
The world is changing rapidly, and they deserve a strong foundation of leadership, empowerment, and guidance to navigate it with confidence.
Now, we are officially launching Youth Rising, a movement dedicated to equipping and inspiring the next generation—preparing them to step into their purpose, embrace their potential, and rise as future leaders.
Youth Rising: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Overview:
Youth Rising is a dynamic, community-centered leadership program designed to empower boys and girls through every stage of their youth and young adulthood.
Evolving from the successful Ladies Rising initiative, Youth Rising expands its impact to include all genders, creating an inclusive environment where young individuals aged 10 to 24 can develop critical leadership skills, build self-worth, explore their life purpose, and become agents of positive change within their communities.
The program is divided into three tiers, each tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of its participants:
Youth Rising Juniors (Ages 10–17) — Building foundational leadership and life skills.
Youth Rising: Young Leaders (Ages 18–24) — Advanced leadership development and professional growth.
Youth Rising Alumni Network — Lifelong connections, mentorship, and continued growth.
Overview:
Youth Rising: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Come Join Us And Take Care Of Your Mental Health
Join our community that cares about mental health to increase productivity to work more good
Accommodate Those Who Need Mental Health
We have developed this community into a service that can help someone to improve their mental health
25+ Activities
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of the present moment can help us
enjoy the world around us
1000+ Member
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of the present moment can help us
enjoy the world around us
100+ Content
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of the present moment can help us
enjoy the world around us
Feel the relaxing Sensation
Private group
Join us as a member of a private group that will practice every week and feel the benefits.
Pleasant situation
A pleasant atmosphere makes you enjoy doing yoga and focus on doing it.
Adequate tools
A pleasant atmosphere makes you enjoy doing yoga and focus on doing it.
MEET YOUR
Board Members
President,
Nicky Cuesta
Vice President,
Monique Parker
Secretary,
Sandra Martinez
Treasurer,
Yara N. Ortiz
DR. NICOLE
Development Chair,
Judith Diaz
AUSTYN
Medium & Soul Gardener
Austyn is an author, spiritual medium, and soul gardener who mentors spiritually seeking individuals to cultivate their intuition, heal their hearts, and connect with the Divine.
Her book Soul Conversations: A Medium Reveals How to Cultivate Your Intuition, Heal Your Heart, and Connect with the Divine is the recipient of two C.O.V.R. medals, as well as receiving the gold medal from the Nautilus Book Awards.
While teaching a mediumship class, she was inspired to develop my Divine Spark Cards for developing mediums to expand their trust, as well as grief counselors to inspire healing conversations with their clients.
She will be Facilitating Opening & Closing ceremony, workshops, drum circle, and morning meditations.
She will be speaking on the soul and how we disempower ourselves and what we can do to change that.
KJERSTI
Embodiment Activist
Kjersti, a fierce survivor, mother of four, and Queen of her own kingdom. She is the embodiment of strength and resilience, having triumphed over sexual abuse and abandonment.
She is the owner of Empowerment Fitness and Diamond Dolls Burlesque, where she empowers women to embrace their true beauty and authentic voice.
As a bodybuilder and badass bitch creator, she
defies societal norms and encourages others to say no to a "domesticated life."
Join her in the revolution of self-love and empowerment, as she leads women towards liberation and embracing their wild selves.
DR. NICOLE
Spiritual & Somatic Therapist
Dr. Nicole is a Spiritual Entrepreneur serving the world as a Spiritual Psychologist & Somatic Therapist who specializes in trauma, recovery, anxiety and depression. Therapeutic Breathwork & Somatic Therapy saved her life and as a result, she has dedicated her life to teaching, developing her own system of healing & helping others find mental & emotional freedom.
Her embodied practice & presence combines the art & science of breathwork, coaching and therapy to
create a powerful pathway to integration, with the breath acting as a bridge between the body, mind, emotions, relationships & spirit.
Her passion is to enhance the lives of others by providing people with a safe space to regulate their nervous systems & rewire trauma patterns creating permanent healing which leads to the discovery of their true authentic self.
MEET YOUR
Board Members
AUSTYN
Medium & Soul Gardener
Austyn is an author, spiritual medium, and soul gardener who mentors spiritually seeking individuals to cultivate their intuition, heal their hearts, and connect with the Divine.
Her book Soul Conversations: A Medium Reveals How to Cultivate Your Intuition, Heal Your Heart, and Connect with the Divine is the recipient of two C.O.V.R. medals, as well as receiving the gold medal from the Nautilus Book Awards.
While teaching a mediumship class, she was inspired to develop my Divine Spark Cards for developing mediums to expand their trust, as well as grief counselors to inspire healing conversations with their clients.
She will be Facilitating Opening & Closing ceremony, workshops, drum circle, and morning meditations.
She will be speaking on the soul and how we disempower ourselves and what we can do to change that.
KJERSTI
Embodiment Activist
Kjersti, a fierce survivor, mother of four, and Queen of her own kingdom. She is the embodiment of strength and resilience, having triumphed over sexual abuse and abandonment.
She is the owner of Empowerment Fitness and Diamond Dolls Burlesque, where she empowers women to embrace their true beauty and authentic voice.
As a bodybuilder and badass bitch creator, she
defies societal norms and encourages others to say no to a "domesticated life."
Join her in the revolution of self-love and empowerment, as she leads women towards liberation and embracing their wild selves.
DR. NICOLE
Spiritual & Somatic Therapist
Dr. Nicole is a Spiritual Entrepreneur serving the world as a Spiritual Psychologist & Somatic Therapist who specializes in trauma, recovery, anxiety and depression. Therapeutic Breathwork & Somatic Therapy saved her life and as a result, she has dedicated her life to teaching, developing her own system of healing & helping others find mental & emotional freedom.
Her embodied practice & presence combines the art & science of breathwork, coaching and therapy to
create a powerful pathway to integration, with the breath acting as a bridge between the body, mind, emotions, relationships & spirit.
Her passion is to enhance the lives of others by providing people with a safe space to regulate their nervous systems & rewire trauma patterns creating permanent healing which leads to the discovery of their true authentic self.
President,
Nicky Cuesta
Vice President,
Monique Parker
Secretary,
Sandra Martinez
Treasurer,
Yara N. Ortiz
Development Chair,
Judith Diaz
At Youth Rising, we believe that today’s youth are the
leaders, innovators, and change makers of tomorrow.
Our mission is to equip young minds with the leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development skills they need to step into their purpose with confidence.
Through mentorship, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and real-world learning experiences, we are building a generation of bold, purpose-driven individuals who are prepared to take on challenges, create opportunities, and make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
We are not just teaching skills—we are cultivating mindsets, sparking ambition, and igniting the limitless potential within every young person.
Youth Rising is more than a program; it’s a movement. The future starts with them, and we are here to help them rise.
Sleeping Child Hot Springs is located in the Rocky Mountains south of Missoula. This expansive 40-acre estate sits at 4600 ft elevation 6 miles from the nearest neighbor and is surrounded by Bitterroot National Forest on all sides with private gated access. A short drive to Skalkaho Falls (we will be taking a trip to these falls), Hamilton and Darby.
Our Partners:
Sleeping Child Hot Springs is located in the Rocky Mountains south of Missoula. This expansive 40-acre estate sits at 4600 ft elevation 6 miles from the nearest neighbor and is surrounded by Bitterroot National Forest on all sides with private gated access. A short drive to Skalkaho Falls (we will be taking a trip to these falls), Hamilton and Darby.
At Youth Rising, we believe that today’s youth are the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.
Our mission is to equip young minds with the leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal development skills they need to step into their purpose with confidence.
Through mentorship, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and real-world learning experiences, we are building a generation of bold, purpose-driven individuals who are prepared to take on challenges, create opportunities, and make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
We are not just teaching skills—we are cultivating mindsets, sparking ambition, and igniting the limitless potential within every young person.
Youth Rising is more than a program; it’s a movement. The future starts with them, and we are here to help them rise.
Our Partners
COMING SOON
Programs
Future Leaders Network – A mentorship and networking community designed to develop young leaders and entrepreneurs.
Rising Voices Podcast Club – A space where youth learn how to express themselves, interview inspiring individuals, and build communication skills through media.
Limitless Potential Workshops – A series of interactive sessions covering confidence building, business basics, personal growth, and career exploration.
Path to Purpose Initiative – A guided program to help young individuals identify their strengths, passions, and the steps to achieving their dreams.
COMING SOON
Programs
Future Leaders Network – A mentorship and networking community designed to develop young leaders and entrepreneurs.
Rising Voices Podcast Club – A space where youth learn how to express themselves, interview inspiring individuals, and build communication skills through media.
Limitless Potential Workshops – A series of interactive sessions covering confidence building, business basics, personal growth, and career exploration.
Path to Purpose Initiative – A guided program to help young individuals identify their strengths, passions, and the steps to achieving their dreams.
Frequently Asked Question
& What to Expect
1. What is Youth Rising?
Youth Rising is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young leaders aged 10 to 24 through mentorship, leadership training, entrepreneurship education, and community engagement. Our programs provide youth with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, socially, and professionally.
2. Who can participate in Youth Rising programs?
Youth Rising is open to boys and girls aged 10 to 24.
Our program is divided into three tiers:
✔️Youth Rising Juniors (Ages 10–17): Foundational leadership and life skills.
✔️Youth Rising: Young Leaders (Ages 18–24): Advanced leadership and career development.
✔️Youth Rising Alumni Network: Ongoing mentorship and professional connections.
3. Where does Youth Rising operate?
Our primary focus is on New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, but we aim to expand and offer virtual opportunities for young leaders beyond these states.
4. What programs does Youth Rising offer?
We provide a variety of programs designed to develop leadership, business skills, and personal growth, including:
✔️Future Leaders Network: A mentorship and networking community.
✔️Rising Voices Podcast Club: A platform for youth to develop media and communication skills.
✔️Limitless Potential Workshops: Sessions on confidence, business basics, and career exploration.
✔️Path to Purpose Initiative: A guided program for discovering passions and career goals.5
5. How does Youth Rising support entrepreneurship?
We believe in preparing youth for both employment and ownership.
Through our Business & Entrepreneurship pillar, we provide training on:
✔️Financial literacy
✔️Starting and managing a business
✔️Marketing and branding strategies
✔️Developing a business plan
6. How can I get involved with Youth Rising?
There are several ways to get involved:
✔️ Join as a participant (ages 10-24)
✔️ Become a mentor or volunteer
✔️ Partner with us as an organization or sponsor
✔️ Donate to support our mission
7. Who leads Youth Rising?
Youth Rising is led by a dedicated team of professionals, including:
President: Nicky Cuesta
Vice President: Monique Parker
Secretary: Sandra Martinez
Treasurer: Yara N. Ortiz
Development Chair: Judith Diaz
8. What makes Youth Rising different from other youth organizations?
Youth Rising is more than just a leadership program—we focus on holistic personal development by addressing:
✔️ Leadership skills with real-world applications
✔️ Entrepreneurship & financial literacy
✔️ Purpose exploration & future planning
✔️ Community engagement & social impact
✔️ Diversity, inclusion, and empowerment for all youth
9. Are there any upcoming events or programs?
Yes!
We are currently developing:
✔️The Future Leaders Network
✔️Rising Voices Podcast Club
✔️Limitless Potential Workshops
✔️Path to Purpose Initiative
✔️ Annual community service projects and leadership summits
Stay tuned for updates on our events page!
10. How can I donate or sponsor Youth Rising?
We rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses to continue our mission. You can donate or become a sponsor by visiting our Support Us page. Every contribution helps us empower the next generation of leaders!
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