Together, we’re building stronger, more connected communities,
one meaningful connection at a time.

Who Are We?

Connect 2 Rise Inc. recognizes that everyone deserves meaningful connection, vital resources, education, and support. We tackle the loneliness and isolation epidemic head-on by rebuilding the social fabric that holds communities together, ensuring accessible resources reach those who need them most, and forging lasting bridges between people, generations, and organizations. We focus our efforts where isolation cuts deepest—in underserved communities and groups often overlooked and left behind. By transforming disconnection into genuine belonging, we empower people to thrive, not just survive.


Why Focus On Loneliness and Isolation Within Our Society?

"We've mastered connecting online while forgetting how to connect in person."

We see it every day, though we rarely name it. The neighbor who hasn't spoken to anyone in weeks. The teenager scrolling endlessly through social media while feeling utterly alone. The elder whose only conversation each day is with the grocery clerk. Loneliness touches us all—not as some abstract concept, but as a lived reality that shapes our days and health in profound ways.

"Our bodies know when we're disconnected, even when our minds try to deny it."

When we lack meaningful connection, our bodies know it. Our hearts work harder, our immune systems weaken, and our minds become battlegrounds for anxious thoughts. Research tells us something our grandparents intuitively understood: we need each other to be well. People experiencing chronic loneliness face the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes daily—not just emotionally, but in their physical bodies.

"We've never been more connected digitally, yet never felt more alone."

We live in a world where we can instantly message someone across the globe, yet struggle to know our next-door neighbors. We collect hundreds of online connections while yearning for just one person who truly sees us. Despite our digital connections, the average American reports having just one close confidant they can turn to in crisis—down from three just a generation ago.

"When communities lose connection, everything suffers—from schools to workplaces to neighborhoods."

When loneliness spreads, entire communities suffer. Healthcare costs rise. Workplaces become less productive and creative. Neighborhoods lose their connective tissue. Schools report more behavioral problems. The fabric that holds us together—from PTA meetings to community gatherings to faith communities—slowly unravels, leaving us all more vulnerable.

"Our ability to solve tomorrow's problems depends on rebuilding our connections today."

In a world facing complex challenges, from climate change to political division, our ability to solve problems together depends on our connections to each other. By rebuilding the bridges between us—person to person, generation to generation, group to group—we create the foundation needed not just for individual wellbeing, but for our collective future.

SUPPORT WE PROVIDE


Connect 2 Rise offer a range of services designed to combat loneliness and foster supportive and meaningful connections:

01
Support Circles Groups & Events

A diverse selection of social gatherings, including coffee mornings, day trips, and art workshops, tailored to provide enjoyable opportunities for people to connect and form supportive relationships.

02
Support Group & Safe Spaces

Creation of safe, empathetic environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, contributing to a sense of belonging and community.

03
Resource Building

Access and opportunity to obtain resources and information to help individuals manage social isolation and improve their overall mental health and well-being.

Connect 2 Rise Inc

Support Altadena Wildfire Victims - From Crisis to Recovery

Nearly six months after the devastating Eaton Canyon Fire, thousands of families are still rebuilding their lives from the ground up. As one of California's most destructive wildfires in history, it destroyed over 9,400 structures and damaged more than 1,000 others—wiping out entire neighborhoods in a matter of hours.

But here's what we believe: Survivors deserve more than sympathy—they deserve action.

Help Us Turn Crisis into Community

Connect 2 Rise Inc has launched the Wildfire Crisis Relief Initiatives to ensure no one in our community faces this recovery alone. Through monthly distributions, community healing events, and immediate gift card assistance, we're not just helping people survive—we're helping them thrive again.


Connect 2 Rise Inc link below will take you to our fiscal sponsor donation PAYPAL link: Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships

Click Here to Donate
to Connect 2 Rise
*Donation made via link or to our Fiscal Sponsor will be 100 Percent Tax-Deductible. The fiscal sponsor is 501(c)(3) nonprofit Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (IFERS).

Eaton Fire Survivor Community Pop-Up Marketplace

Get Started



Together We Rise, Together We Support our Neighbors!

This event is dedicated to displaced Altadena, CA residents—you are seen, you are remembered, and you are our priority.

One year into this journey, your resilience moves us deeply, and our commitment to walking alongside you has never been stronger.

Join us for a Community Pop-Up Marketplace thoughtfully organized for Eaton Fire survivors—
more than just a distribution event, this is a gathering where shared strength meets practical support and genuine connection.

You'll Find:No-cost necessities
like new & gently used clothing, hygiene essentials, household cleaning items, school materials, and more (quantities limited)Fellow community members who get itA judgment-free space filled with compassion and care


When & WhereDate: Sunday, Feburary 1st
Event Time: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM


Set-up Volunteer Hours Start: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM


Location:Connect 2 Rise Inc2594 E Colorado Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91107


Registration Required; One registration per household, please!

To make sure every family gets the support they need, we're limiting sign-ups to one per household address. Each registration provides one set of tickets for your family.


RSVP HERE TO ATTEND!

Active Social Circles & Monthly Meetups

Join us for dynamic events where empowerment meets action.

Our events are designed to not only raise funds but also to increase awareness and foster a sense of community.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: BUILDING OUR OWN TABLE NETWORKING MIXER

We're building tables, not asking for seats as we celebrate Black History Month. Real power. Real community. Real change. Join Us on Feb. 15

Upcoming Events

Join us for events that do more than raise funds—they raise awareness, bring people together, and strengthen our shared commitment to the cause.

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Click Here To RSVP

Loneliness & Social Isolation  is Real...

30%

of adults say they have experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year

10%

of adults say they have experienced feelings of loneliness everyday

30%

of Americans aged 18-34 saying they were lonely every day or several times a week

According to 2024 Poll, American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Contact us

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Support Our First Community Safe Space: Make a Donation Today!

Help Keep Doors Open for Connection and Community!

At Connect 2 Rise, we believe everyone deserves a welcoming place to connect and feel supported. Our Friendship Safe Space provides just that—a refuge from loneliness, where meaningful relationships are built.

We need your help to keep our doors open and grow. Your donation will:
- Secure our community space
- Equip it with essential furniture and technology
- Support skilled coordinators to run programs and events

By contributing, you’re offering hope and connection to those who need it most.Donate today and help build a stronger, more connected community. Together, we can make a difference!

DONATE NOW!

***Our fiscal sponsor is 501(c)(3) nonprofit Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (IFERS). Your support is greatly appreciated as we work towards creating a more connected and resilient society."***

Thank you for considering Connect 2 Rise Inc. for your contribution!

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"Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others."

— Christopher Germer

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“Loneliness is the most common human experience, yet the least spoken about.”

Meghan Daum

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