RISE Quest for Wellness
Sapphire Rise is proud to be an FY26 recipient of Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grant. Through this funding, we are launching RISE Quest for Wellness, a dynamic program that helps young people build wellness, leadership, teamwork, and STEM skills through hands-on and game-based learning.
About the Howard County YEP! Grant
The Howard County Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grant supports programs that provide young people with safe, engaging, and meaningful opportunities outside of traditional school hours. YEP! programs are designed to help youth stay connected, build positive relationships, strengthen social-emotional skills, and access enriching experiences in supportive community settings.
Sapphire Rise was awarded the FY26 YEP! Grant to support programming for Howard County youth through our new initiative, RISE Quest for Wellness.
This means Howard County youth and families will have access to a free program that blends STEM, wellness, social-emotional learning, and youth leadership in ways that are creative, practical, and rooted in community.
About RISE Quest for Wellness
RISE Quest for Wellness is a hybrid youth program that invites participants to imagine, design, and improve healthy communities through interactive projects, wellness-centered activities, and technology-rich learning.
Youth will collaborate to build and explore virtual community spaces using game-based simulation tools while tackling real-world topics such as:
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emotional wellness
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public health
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community safety
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nutrition
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environmental awareness
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teamwork and leadership
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equity and civic responsibility
Participants will take part in guided sessions that combine hands-on learning, discussion, creativity, and problem-solving. Along the way, they will strengthen communication, confidence, collaboration, and future-ready thinking.
The program concept was developed by Sapphire Rise as a wellness-centered, youth engagement experience that blends biotechnology, wellness principles, simulation gaming, and social-emotional learning for Howard County youth.
Program Highlights
Audience: Howard County youth
Cost: Free
Format: In-person and hybrid opportunities
Access: Registration and interest form required
Youth-centered, Project-based Learning
Participants will work together on creative challenges that help them explore what makes a community healthy, safe, and thriving.
STEM meets Wellness
Youth will engage with concepts connected to science, technology, public health, and community design in age-appropriate ways.
Social-emotional Learning in Action
Sessions are designed to support self-awareness, teamwork, empathy, responsible decision-making, and positive peer engagement.
Mentorship and Leadership Development
Participants will build confidence as they share ideas, solve problems, and present their work.
Community Showcase
Youth will have the opportunity to present their projects and ideas during a culminating community event for families, community members, and local supporters.
Who Can Participate
RISE Quest for Wellness is intended for Howard County youth. Based on the funded proposal, programming is designed to serve youth across multiple age groups, including:
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Elementary school-age youth
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Middle school-age youth
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High school-age youth
We welcome young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including youth who may have limited access to enrichment opportunities outside of school.
Sapphire Rise is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces that support youth of different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as youth with varying developmental and wellness needs. That community-centered education mission also aligns with Sapphire Rise’s stated charitable and educational purpose as a Maryland nonprofit.
How Youth and Families Can Access the Program
Families and caregivers can access the program by completing our interest form and joining our contact list for upcoming sessions, registration dates, and location details.
Ways to get connected
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Complete the online interest form
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Follow Sapphire Rise for program updates
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Contact us directly by email
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Watch for program announcements through community and partner networks
Current Access Points
Programming is being organized for Howard County youth in partnership with community sites, including St. John’s Baptist Church in Columbia, Maryland, along with additional community-based and virtual access options.
Cost
Participation is expected to be free to eligible Howard County youth through YEP! grant support.
Suggested button text:
Complete the Interest Form
Email Our Team
Program Schedule and Format
RISE Quest for Wellness is being developed as an out-of-school-time program for 2026. Sessions may include:
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after-school programming
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weekend enrichment opportunities
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selected virtual sessions
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in-person community-based events
Community Partnership
Sapphire Rise is proud to partner with St. John’s Baptist Church in Columbia, Maryland, as we expand access to youth engagement programming in Howard County.
Community partnerships help us create trusted, welcoming spaces where youth can learn, connect, and grow. Through partnerships with faith-based, educational, and community organizations, Sapphire Rise aims to make high-quality programming more accessible to families across the county.
For Parents and Caregivers
Families are an important part of the RISE Quest for Wellness experience.
Parents and caregivers can expect:
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clear communication about schedules and activities
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a safe and supportive learning environment
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opportunities to stay informed throughout the program
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invitations to youth presentations and showcase events
Our goal is to create a program where youth feel encouraged, challenged, and seen — and where families feel connected to their child’s growth. The funded application also included family engagement through welcome activities, ongoing communication, and a final showcase model.
The funded model was proposed as recurring programming throughout the year, rotating between in-person and virtual formats to improve access for youth across Howard County.
About Sapphire Rise
Sapphire Rise Incorporated is a Maryland nonprofit organized for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Its mission includes expanding the STEM pipeline through educational reforms and innovative initiatives that reimagine science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in K–12 learning.
Sapphire Rise is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
This program is supported by the Howard County Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grant for FY26.