Fall

Labor Day

Labor Day recognizes the dignity of work and the contributions of working people.

Residents may participate in cookouts, outdoor meals, sports tournaments, games, and community activities, while also learning about labor history, workforce participation, and the role meaningful work plays in rebuilding a stable life.

Harvest and Gratitude Festival

The Harvest and Gratitude Festival draws from American harvest traditions and harvest-centered traditions found in Sub-Saharan Africa and other cultures.

Activities may include shared meals, music, storytelling, resident participation in preparation, gratitude reflections, garden or food-related activities, and discussion of effort, growth, accountability, and what the community has built together.

Halloween

Halloween gives residents a chance to participate in playful seasonal traditions.

Activities may include pumpkin carving, costume contests, candy, scary movies, themed meals, decorations, and door decorating contests.

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead introduces residents to Mexican and Latin American traditions of memory, family, grief, and continuity.

Activities may include cultural education, food, music, art, memory tables, storytelling, and conversations about honoring people who came before us.

Diwali

Diwali introduces residents to a major Hindu festival centered around light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Activities may include lights, candles, food, sweets, cultural storytelling, music, decorations, and discussion of moral clarity, inner direction, and hope during darker seasons.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day recognizes those who served in the military.

Activities may include guest speakers, recognition of veterans among residents, staff, volunteers, and families, flag ceremonies, shared meals, and conversations about service, duty, sacrifice, and transition back into civilian life.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the major communal holidays at RISS.

Activities may include a large shared meal, resident cooking participation, gratitude boards, football, music, volunteer service, and family or guest participation when appropriate.

As RISS grows, Thanksgiving may also include service projects, food preparation, or partnerships with churches and community organizations to support people outside the campus.

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.