A customer pauses at a display of handcrafted jewelry, candles, and soaps. Across the table, the artisan who helped create the products proudly explains the detail that went into each piece. Throughout the day, customers stop to shop, ask questions, and offer encouragement.
Moments like these are the essence of The RISE Community. Founded by two mothers who have navigated the challenges of bringing up children in spaces that are not always equipped for disabilities, this nonprofit came to fruition as a network for youth embarking into adulthood.
Emily Picou and Christine Biddle both have children with a high range of support needs. As their children have begun to inch toward adulthood, the next steps became uncertain.
"When my daughter graduated from high school, all I could think was, 'Now what? What are we going to be filling our days with?'" Emily says.
Her daughter, Aubrey, had been homeschooled from fifth grade onward, and her future loomed ahead like an empty slate. The realization was sobering. For years, Emily's focus had been on supporting her daughter as they navigated therapies, education, and the mundane chores of daily life. Like many parents of children with disabilities, she had expended so much energy meeting the needs of the moment that little time remained to consider what adulthood might hold.
Seeking answers, Emily enrolled in an employment training program designed for parents of individuals with disabilities. She found herself surrounded by families whose children were decades older than her own.
"I was the youngest parent there," she says. "That's when I realized there wasn't really a plan, so I needed to forge one."
Emily had discovered a gap that many families encounter as their children age out of school-based services and structured activities. At the same time, Christine Biddle was grappling with many of the same questions. A board-certified behavior analyst and mother of a daughter on the autism spectrum, she understood the complexities firsthand.
The two mothers began with experiments around a kitchen table, making candles, soap, jewelry, and baked goods with their children. From there, the vision has steadily garnered community support.
In 2024, Emily and Christine founded The RISE Community, a nonprofit whose name stands for Radically Inclusive Supportive Endeavors. It’s built around the three inherent values of connection, belonging, and purpose.
The RISE Community enhances the lives of adolescents and adults with disabilities through its artisan program, where participants create handcrafted products while developing pre-vocational and life skills. You may now find their jewelry, candles, soaps, and ceramics at a pop-up shop near you. They have been met with enthusiasm among the greater Lake Houston community.
"These are genuinely beautiful, high-quality products, and when you hear the story behind them, it’s even more meaningful," Christine says.
While the organization is still in its infancy, it has no shortage of potential. Emily explains that an artisan bakery, a coffee shop, and an art studio may be in the cards for the future. They’ve also added a Moms Who RISE group to support parents.
"We want to have high expectations with accommodations," Christine says. "They can contribute, and they have a purpose.”
Community support remains essential to the growth of RISE. Volunteers are needed to assist with programming and to teach a greater range of creative skills. The growing nonprofit also welcomes donations, community partnerships, and individuals interested in serving on advisory or leadership boards.
For Emily and Christine, success is found in the confidence being instilled and opportunities created for individuals to engage with each other. What began as two mothers searching for a path forward for their children has evolved into a thriving community where young adults and their families can find lasting relationships.