Community Events

RISS is designed to be part of the community, not separate from it.

Throughout the year, we will host a variety of events that bring residents, volunteers, supporters, neighbors, and community members together in shared spaces. Some events will be educational. Others will be recreational, cultural, artistic, or simply opportunities for people to gather and build relationships.

Many of these events will be open to the public. Others may be reserved for residents, volunteers, donors, invited guests, or specific community partners. The goal is not to fill a calendar with activities. The goal is to create meaningful opportunities for connection between the campus and the broader community.

Educational and Cultural Events

The Education and Cultural Center will serve as a gathering place for lectures, discussions, readings, presentations, and performances.

Events may include:

  • Poetry readings and poetry slams

  • Author talks and book discussions

  • Community lectures and educational presentations

  • Panel discussions

  • Music recitals and performances

  • Art exhibitions and gallery events

  • Cultural celebrations and community conversations

These events help expose residents to new ideas while creating opportunities for meaningful interaction with the broader community.

Markets and Community Gatherings

One of the most visible community events hosted at RISS will be our weekly farmers market.

The farmers market is not an occasional event or a seasonal fundraiser. It is a permanent part of the campus design and serves as both a community gathering place and an extension of our workforce and enterprise activities. Community members will be invited onto the campus to purchase produce, plants, handmade goods, and other products generated through campus enterprises and partner vendors.

In addition to the weekly farmers market, the campus will host a variety of community gatherings throughout the year, including:

  • Artisan and maker markets

  • Harvest celebrations

  • Community meals and gatherings

  • Seasonal festivals

  • Community showcase events

  • Enterprise and business showcases

These events create opportunities for residents, local organizations, businesses, and community members to interact in a welcoming environment while supporting the broader mission of community engagement.

Recreation and Special Events

Community life is built through shared experiences.

Throughout the year, RISS will host recreational and social events that bring residents and community members together, including:

  • Sports tournaments

  • Community competitions

  • Outdoor events

  • Holiday celebrations

  • Seasonal festivals

  • Family-oriented gatherings

  • Special community observances

Some events will be small and informal. Others may grow into annual traditions that residents and community members look forward to year after year.

Arts, Culture, and Creative Expression

The arts have long served as a bridge between people from different backgrounds and experiences.

RISS will provide opportunities for artists, musicians, writers, and performers to share their work with the broader community through exhibitions, performances, readings, and cultural events. These activities help create dialogue, encourage creativity, and provide opportunities for residents to engage with the community through positive and meaningful contributions.

As the organization grows, this may include exhibitions featuring resident artists, justice-impacted artists, and collaborative projects involving artists and organizations from throughout the community.

Building Community Through Shared Experiences

One of the challenges many people face after incarceration is social isolation. One of the challenges many communities face is limited interaction with people who have experienced incarceration.

Community events help bridge that gap.

By creating opportunities for people to learn together, celebrate together, and participate in shared activities, we help build familiarity, relationships, and trust. These events are not simply entertainment. They are part of our broader commitment to creating a community where residents are active participants in civic and community life rather than remaining separated from it.

We believe strong communities are built when people share experiences, learn from one another, and work alongside one another. Community events are one way we help make that happen.

If you believe reintegration should be built intentionally, not reactively, we invite you to explore how you can help bring the RISS model to life

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