Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
A farmer at heart!
Rubi Marinelarena, General Manager
Rubi learned about RISE through her sister, Griselda, who is a client at SHINE next door. Rubi has many years in customer service, and is a great blessing to all who meet her! She enjoys going for walks and being outside in nature. Rubi enjoys being at RISE because she loves the people and always being greeted with big smiles! Her favorite drink is an almond milk latte with our yummy sugar free skinny syrup offerings. While she doesn't have a favorite song, depending on her mood, she loves listens to many different genres, in several languages! Rubi likes watching movies from the 90s-2000s. Her dream is to have her own little farm one day!
an amazing artist and teacher
Ann Worthington, Team Lead
Ann was driving down 92 looking for coffee after moving here from CA, saw a tiny sign that said "Coffee" and quickly pulled in, met Nicole, and felt like she found much more than just coffee! She has worked in sales for 30 years and very much enjoys making connections with people. Ann runs a small art studio where she teaches art. Ann loves coffee and baking. She has worked with children and seniors and enjoys them both. For fun, Ann likes to walk outside, swim, and read books, paint watercolor or draw, and have coffee with friends. Ann loves getting RISE ready for the day with the crew of people working together and having fun. She also enjoys each person that comes in through the door for their RISE experience. Ann’s favorite drink at RISE is cappuccino with espresso and steamed half and half. She also loves the Classic Dark roast we use for espresso. Ann’s favorite song is American Pie by Don McLean and was on her mind most recently! Her favorite movie is The Piano by Jane Campion with Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel Ann’s dream is to have art classes at RISE where we paint or create a collage and to continue to build community that comes together for all kinds of things!
a heart to know, love and serve
Leigh Anne Stewart, BaRISEta Ambassador
Leigh Anne is a passionate, creative, and fun addition at RISE. She thrives in this new role as the BaRISEta Ambassador, helping each of our BaRISEtas truly SHINE in their own unique way. Leigh Anne's love for people, heart for serving the community and excellence in all things make RISE her "happy place". She enjoys adventure, the outdoors, music, and gathering with friends and family. Her favorite song is Ripple by the Grateful Dead. Her favorite drink at RISE is an oat milk chai latte. Leigh Anne dreams to one day reside in a tropical location, living off the land and sea and provide natural medicine to locals.
time to flourish
April DeWard, Team Lead and Social Media Marketing
April DeWard is 22 years old and Nicole’s oldest daughter. She is in her Senior year at West Georgia University studying psychology. April wanted to work at RISE because she is interested in helping people with disabilities, especially since two of her siblings have special needs. She also wants to help children with special needs, are adopted, or are in foster care. April’s favorite drink is espresso. She is very creative and enjoys painting art, hiking, traveling, listening to true crime podcasts, and trying new restaurants. April enjoys getting to know her fellow employees and the customers. April teaches our Special Friends Art classes as well is preparing to teach at flourish, the day program that will open next to SHINE in the fall!
Where passion meets purpose!
Alison Coker, Team Lead
Alison also works for the Georgia Department of Education doing teacher training. She finds it fun to work in a leadership position and enjoys meeting and helping people. cxxcHiking is her “happy place” where she hikes 5-10 miles a day at Leita Thompson Trails. She also loves baking cheesecakes and making homemade Resee peanut butter balls. Bolder Blue tea is her favorite drink and she loves the movie Somewhere in Time. Alison’s dream job is personal training. She was just certified in September and is excited to help people with their health goals. Allison loves meeting new people at RISE and talking with people. Alison loves working at RISE because of the young adults she works with. “They make my heart full and I have never left here thinking I shouldn’t have come or have ever had a bad day.”
Watch for Gavin in the credits!
Gavin Lucas, Buddy
Gavin has worked here since it opened last year in March. He is 17, attends King’s Academy, and is in 11th grade. Gavin enjoys acting in the school drama club and is in an upcoming musical. Aside from school, Gavin likes to go hiking and hang out with his friends. His favorite song is Wauka Wauka by Shakira and his favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption. Gavin’s dream job is to be in the film industry as a director, or he would also like to become a teacher. He appreciates the friendly, patient, caring, family atmosphere here at RISE. The hibiscus cucumber tea is his favorite drink.
Bright Smiles!
Vicki Pope, Team Lead
Vicki also works as a personal trainer at SHINE. She is 51, enjoys baking cheese cakes and resees peanut butter cups. She also hikes 5-10 miles a day at Leita Thompson trails! Vicki loves the young adults at RISE and has never left a shift without her heart being full. Her favorite drink is bolder blue tea. Crazy by Patsy Cline is her favorite song and her favorite movie is Somewhere in Time. Vicki’s dream job is personal training and was just certified in September. It is never too late to do what you love!
So thoughtful!
Karen Stephan, Buddy
Karen Stephan is also a nurse practitioner and LOVES coffee! She admires Nicole’s decision to hire individuals with disabilities to work at RISE. Her dreams involve moving north. When she retires, she wants to work in a coffee shop, as well as run a bed and breakfast. Karen and her husband have already bought the house, and are just waiting for their two daughters to graduate from college. Once the girls have graduated, off they go! Karen feels that working at RISE is good training for when her dreams come true. She loves how coffee warms up her soul. Karen likes to bake desserts and to watch chick flicks. Her favorite drink is iced coffee with coconut milk; the coconut milk gives it just enough sweetness. Karen’s favorite movie of all time is Sweet Home Alabama. Karen’s favorite song is “God Only Knows” by King and Country.
Straight from the heart!
Anna Torbett, Buddy
Anna is 34 years old and loves partnering with the baRisetas; just whatever they are going to do-doing it together. She learned about RISE from Nicole at a Tres Dias weekend. Anna's go-to drink at RISE is any kind of cappuccino and the chocolate doughnuts are at the top of her list for munching! For fun, Anna spends time with her dog, Dottie, a boxer mix, and loves to travel. She also is a new home owner and loves being outside doing yard work. Anna's favorite movie is The Sound of Music; a lover of Julie Andrews. Anna actually got to go to a question and answer time to see Julie Andrews in person last year, similar to a book tour. Being a music person, Anna has a hard time choosing her favorite song, but Keep It Simple, by Matoma was the song she listened to the most last year.