OUR WORK
Supporting Youth Mental Health in Our Community
The Risa Fund partners with organizations across Greater Washington to strengthen the people, programs, and communities that support young people’s mental health and well-being.
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THEARC
Read more: THEARCFor more than a decade, the Risa Fund has supported mental health initiatives at THEARC, helping expand access to psychiatric care, trauma-informed resources, and community education for residents east of the Anacostia River.
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Our Minds Matter (OMM)
Read more: Our Minds Matter (OMM)Since 2019, the Risa Fund has supported Our Minds Matter in expanding student-led mental health clubs across DC schools, helping young people build coping skills, reduce stigma, and foster peer support through student leadership and dedicated school staff sponsors.
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MOMENTUM Residency
Read more: MOMENTUM ResidencyThe Risa Fund supports MOMENTUM Residency at Mary’s Center, helping emerging mental health professionals develop their clinical skills while expanding access to school-based mental health care for students in Washington, DC.
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Wendt Center for Loss and Healing
Read more: Wendt Center for Loss and HealingThe Risa Fund supports the Wendt Center’s grief and trauma services, including creative workshops for bereaved children and families, specialized grief support, and training that helps schools better respond to loss and trauma.
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ArtReach GW
Read more: ArtReach GWThe Risa Fund supported ArtReach GW in providing free, art-based wellness programs that helped individuals and families explore emotions, manage stress, and build connections through creative expression.
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Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Read more: Sasha Bruce YouthworkThe Risa Fund supports Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training, equipping staff with trauma-informed approaches to building trust, preventing crises, and creating safer, more supportive environments for young people experiencing homelessness and instability.
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DC SCORES
Read more: DC SCORESSince 2019, the Risa Fund has supported DC SCORES in strengthening coaches’ mental health knowledge and skills through training that fosters supportive relationships, belonging, and emotional well-being for young people across Washington, DC.
PAST GRANTEES
A History of Meaningful Partnerships
Over the years, the Risa Fund has supported organizations and initiatives spanning mental health, athletics, the arts, and community well-being. These past investments reflect the breadth of Marisa’s interests and the Risa Fund’s evolving commitment to improving young lives.
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Risa Wellness Project@THEARC
Read more: Risa Wellness Project@THEARCInitiated in the fall of 2013 and launched in phases, the Risa Fund partnered with THEARC to create the Risa Wellness Project@THEARC, a multifaceted initiative offering mental health training to organization staff, on-site mental health counseling, and access to increased psychiatric care. Taking a holistic approach to wellness, the Project also incorporates art, music and dance therapy.
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11th Street Bridge Park Mural Project
Read more: 11th Street Bridge Park Mural ProjectThe Risa Fund collaborated with the 11th Street Bridge Park, Artolution, and ArtReach at THEARC to convene DC high school students through the collective painting of a mural envisioning a healthy city, community, and neighborhood.
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Grassroots Health
Read more: Grassroots HealthThe Risa Fund helped Grassroots Health expand its sports-based health education programs into additional DC middle schools, connecting students with NCAA athletes who teach mental health, nutrition, and sexual health.
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Risa’s ReMatch Tennis Drive
Read more: Risa’s ReMatch Tennis DriveIn 2014, the Risa Fund launched a program called Risa’s ReMatch Tennis Drive, where gently used girls’ tennis clothes and equipment are collected and donated to underserved, aspiring young tennis players around the country.
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Wellness in Hopkins Garden
Read more: Wellness in Hopkins GardenThe Risa Fund supported wellness programming at Hopkins Garden, helping bring activities focused on health and well-being into this community space.
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Sitar Arts Center
Read more: Sitar Arts CenterThe Risa Fund sponsored Sitar’s summer 2014 mural project, during which teen artists worked to strengthen their design and painting skills — as well as employment and life skills — through the creation of two large-scale murals.
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A Partnership to End Homelessness
Read more: A Partnership to End HomelessnessThrough this contribution, the Risa Fund helped support a coordinated, community-wide approach to addressing DC homelessness and expanding access to stable housing.
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This Is My Brave
Read more: This Is My BraveThe Risa Fund partnered with This Is My Brave to amplify teen voices and reduce mental health stigma through storytelling, creative expression, and initiatives encouraging open conversations about mental health.
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Israel Tennis & Education Centers
Read more: Israel Tennis & Education CentersThe Risa Fund invested in the ITCF Jaffa location’s Girls at Risk Empowerment Program scholarship fund. Serving adolescent girls from impoverished neighborhoods, the program combines tennis education with overall enrichment disciplines.
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WTEF Round-Robin Tennis Tournament
Read more: WTEF Round-Robin Tennis TournamentOn June 30, 2014, the Risa Fund sponsored a round-robin tennis tournament at the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation’s Northwest DC location. Students from WTEF’s 2 Washington, DC campuses gathered for a fun day of both singles and doubles matches along with refreshments and giveaways.