RiseUP is a three year pilot program the Y designed with the assistance of Hancock College in response to the current gang situation in our community.  There are two approaches in dealing with the gang situation, early prevention and intervention. The Y is well suited to address early prevention and the Mayor's task force Youth Protection Committee will be working with the older children on intervention.  The Y is bringing in nine year olds because this is the statistically proven age where preventative behavior is most effective.  RiseUP started in the summer of 2016 with 25 third grade local students.  These are nine year old students whose parents work long hours to provide for their families, children with gang involvement and/or drug abuse in their families, or students who are lacking social skills and are in need of extra motivation to stay in school. They have been selected for the program by teachers and principals at five schools.  The program's main objective is to give these students an opportunity they would never otherwise experience.  The goal is to circumvent future gang behavior by presenting tangible options to both these students and their parents, before they make poor life choices.  The program consists of four key components:  swimming lessons, STEM, literacy, and the Health Behavior Initiative (HBI).  The STEM components, the exposure to networking, and the variety of hands on activities will support them educationally while increasing their confidence.