Rise in Resilience: RIZE Prevention Celebrates New Mauldin Office with Ribbon Cutting

In a significant step forward for youth advocacy and substance use awareness, RIZE Prevention officially opened its new headquarters at 218 New Neely Ferry Road this week. Local officials, community leaders, and supporters gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the nonprofit’s expanded capacity to serve teens and families across the Golden Strip and the greater Upstate area.

The move marks a major milestone for the organization, which has grown rapidly since its founding in 2021. Originally inspired by a vision to tackle teen drug use through early intervention, RIZE Prevention has become a vital resource for middle and high school students in Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn.

Prevention Through Connection

The core of the organization’s mission is the iRIZE program, an evidence-based curriculum currently active in numerous local middle schools, including Hillcrest, Bryson, and Mauldin Middle. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on scare tactics, RIZE focuses on a mentorship model that addresses the root causes of substance use, such as anxiety, peer pressure, and the desire to self-medicate.

The new office space provides a dedicated hub for several key initiatives:

• One-on-one coaching for teens seeking guidance and support.

• Educational workshops for parents focusing on the teenage brain and co-regulation.

• A central staging area for the iRIZE facilitators who visit nearly 20 schools across the region.

A Community United

During the ceremony, speakers emphasized that the overdose crisis and the rise of fentanyl require a proactive, community-wide response. By establishing a physical presence in Mauldin, RIZE Prevention aims to make mental health and addiction resources more accessible to families who may not know where to turn.

Founder and Executive Director Martine Helou-Allen noted that the organization’s goal is to change the conversation around addiction by reaching students before a crisis begins. The data shows that early intervention is the most effective way to protect a student’s future and natural joy.

Growth and Impact

The expansion comes on the heels of a successful 2024-25 academic year, during which the organization reached approximately 7,900 students and parents. With the new Mauldin headquarters fully operational, the staff of twelve—supported by a dedicated youth board—plans to deepen its partnerships with local law enforcement and the South Carolina Department of Education.

Residents interested in supporting the mission can find more information about volunteering or bringing the iRIZE program to their local school or house of worship by visiting the organization’s website.