Staff
Ariel Rodriguez-Williams
Executive Director Ariel joined the Rise Up For Youth team in August of 2017 after many years in Lawrence, KS. He was born and raised in Wichita and holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree. His passion for youth development came from working seven years at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence in various capacities. Ariel believes that mentoring can truly change a life forever and is very dedicated to making sure all students have an opportunity to be a part of Rise Up For Youth. (316) 207-7246 arodriguez@riseupforyouth.org |
Christyn Gunter
Director of Programs Christyn joined our team in March 2019. Christyn brings exemplary experience in program development. Prior to Rise Up For Youth she served as the Education Director for the Kansas African American Museum for five years. She's also worked for the Boys & Girls Club of South Central Kansas and Wichita State University. She is a powerful Diversity Leadership trainer, Assistant Pastor at Rock Christian Fellowship, and Abstinence Lifestyle coach. Christyn is a committed youth mentor and believes strongly in the positive impact mentoring makes on the next generation. Christyn graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's degree in General Studies with emphasis in Early childhood/Special needs Education, History, Religion and Dance. She's passionate about service to her community and contributes creative all-inclusive programming and long-term support strategies for empowering youth. (316) 308-4688 cgunter@riseupforyouth.org |
David Gilkey
Co-Founder & Program Champion: Brotherhood David Gilkey is a long-time advocate for adolescents in the Wichita community. He works with young males to reduce violence, prevent gang involvement and promote healthy lifestyles. Mr. Gilkey is a member of the Wichita Gang Coalition and Real Men Real Heroes. From 2010 until 2012, he served on the State of Kansas Crime Prevention Council. Mr. Gilkey was honored with the Wichita NAACP Person of the Year award in 2008 and has been honored by the Sigma Gamma Rho Panhellenic Council for his work with Wichita’s youth. He frequently speaks to community organizations on gang prevention and reducing gang involvement. (316) 833-3035 dgilkey@riseupforyouth.org |
Keyocsha Brown
Youth Champion: Sisterhood Keyocsha joined the Rise Up For Youth team in July 2019. Keyocsha is new to Wichita and has marked an “X” in Kansas as her treasured forever home. Already, she has immersed herself in business developments in the city and brings over 12 years of experience in mental health as the Director at West Tennessee Family Solutions in Memphis Tennessee. She earned a bachelor’s in Health and Science at Southwest College and attended Paul Mitchell School in Memphis. She is owner of The Tailored Experience, specializing in holistic beauty care from the inside out. Her business has been instrumental in adding invaluable self-worth to over a thousand women in the country and seeks to provide more fashion and beauty one tailored experience at a time. Brown is excited to bring her talent in both mental health and fashion to impact the teen girls through Rise Up For Youth’s Sisterhood program. She has over 15 years of experience mentoring teens and young adults. (316) 833-7231 kbrown@riseupforyouth.org |
Lee Hurst
Youth Champion: Brotherhood Lee joined the Rise Up for Youth team in August of 2019. Lee has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Alabama State University. He has over 15 years of experience working with disadvantaged and underprivileged youth in both public and private education sectors. His experience in youth advocacy ranges from directing and managing mentor recruitment campaigns with the United Way “WE Mentor” program, Substitute Teacher, Project Coordinator with Rockcorps, Sequel Youth Residential Corrections and Salvation Army Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Counselor, Regional Director of Educational Partnerships with Kaplan – K-12 Test Prep, Regional Client Manager with Think Through Math, and a Site Manager with WSU GEAR UP. Lee’s passion for youth empowerment and secondary education has been witnessed through his work and experience in national and local programming. He’s looking forward to building and maximizing the potential of his Brotherhood cohort at North and West High schools. (316) 833-7150 lhurst@riseupforyouth.org |
Lynn Gilkey
Co-Founder & Program Champion: Sisterhood Lynn Gilkey knows well the pain and isolation many young people face in our community. She has dedicated herself to mentoring and helping young people not end up on a similar path as her. After years of substance abuse, Lynn Gilkey turned her life around and was given a chance to rewrite her story. In 2008 Lynn was able to execute her vision for a program she personally created; Caring Ladies Assisting Students to Succeed (CLASS). CLASS is dedicated to helping teenage girls avoid going down the wrong road, a road Lynn knows all too well. She mentors teen girls in the Wichita Kansas public school system, motivating them to graduate high school and choose healthy lifestyle behaviors. With the support of generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers in 2014 , Lynn and David created Rise Up For Youth, Inc. to better serve the youth in the Wichita, KS community. (316) 833-3224 lgilkey@riseupforyouth.org |
Parrishon Marshall
Administrative Assistant Parrishon comes to the Rise Up for Youth with over 20 years of administrative experience. She has served as an administrative assistant for other organizations including Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. Parrishon has always had a passion for mentoring in her heart. She spent time volunteering with our CLASS program seeing first hand the work we do. She has worked with mentoring youth through other volunteer opportunities. This experience and understanding of mentoring will allow her to help the staff effectively to achieve the mission of our organization. Parrishon has a big heart and believes in the power of mentoring programs like ours which is why she is excited to come to work everyday! (316) 440-9255 pmarshall@riseupforyouth.org |
Sean Gates
Youth Champion: Brotherhood Sean joined the RUFY team in July of 2019. Sean has worked with the youth of Wichita for over ten years. Sean is a Wichita native and W.S.U alum. Sean has a dual bachelors degree in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Sean has worked in Juvenile detention centers, The Wichita Children's Home as well as several Wichita Public Schools. Sean is the Precinct Committee Chairman for District 106. Sean is also an appointed member of the Sedgwick County Mental Health Board. Sean is dedicated to the youth of this community and the betterment of their futures. (316) 833-2253 sgates@riseupforyouth.org |
Suzannah Bowden
Community Outreach VISTA Suzannah joined the Rise Up for Youth team in March 2019. She is a current student seeking a degree in media communications. With her past experiences in graphic design and marketing, she is excited to use these tools to promote the mission of the organization. Suzannah is a strong advocate empowering young men and women to create a strong future through leadership and community engagement. (254) 723-3334 sbowden@riseupforyouth.org |
Vanessa Rials
Youth Champion: Sisterhood Vanessa joined the Rise Up For Youth team in April 2018. She was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas and is scheduled to graduate in May of 2019 with a Masters of Social Work degree. Vanessa brings great experience and skills to our team. Vanessa is the former President of the Student Organization of Social Work at WSU. Vanessa also has the passion to serve youth and formerly was Unit Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central KS Opportunity Drive site. She has a passion for advocating and empowering individuals and communities in need. She believes in the mission at Rise Up For Youth and excited to be part of the team. (316) 833-7070 vrials@riseupforyouth.org |
