Together We Rise - Bringing Stability, Learning, and Connection to Foster Youth Through STEM

Expanding access to STEM education while supporting emotional growth for youth in foster care.

With the generous support of the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, Together We Rise is transforming the lives of children in foster care by providing meaningful educational resources that travel with them—no matter where life takes them.

Through this grant, Together We Rise delivered 250 STEM Boxes directly to youth in care across the United States, contributing to a larger national effort that has distributed more than 6,500 boxes to date.

Each STEM Box is thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity and confidence. Complete with hands-on experiments, a lab notebook, safety gear, and a STEM career booklet, these kits introduce children to science in a fun and engaging way while encouraging them to imagine future possibilities. Just as importantly, the boxes provide a sense of continuity for foster youth, who often face frequent moves between homes and schools.

Beyond academics, the impact of these boxes extends deeply into emotional well-being. Caregivers and caseworkers have found that STEM Boxes serve as powerful tools for building trust, encouraging communication, and creating meaningful moments of connection. In one instance, a simple shared activity helped a young boy begin to open up about his fears and experiences, ultimately fostering a relationship built on trust and understanding.

What began as an educational initiative has grown into something even more profound—a bridge to emotional safety, stability, and healing. The strong demand from foster families and caseworkers highlights just how impactful these resources have become.

Together We Rise continues to expand its reach nationwide, now serving over one million children since its founding, while launching new initiatives to support family connections and educational growth. The Glenn W. Bailey Foundation’s support has played a meaningful role in advancing this mission and creating lasting change in the lives of foster youth.