Northern Kentucky, KY — Local educator and current Miss Heritage Park within the Miss Kentucky Organization, Kandice Williams, is expanding her service initiative, R.I.S.E. Up for Afterschool, through the launch of a new digital platform designed to connect communities, support afterschool programs, and increase access to resources across Kentucky.
R.I.S.E., which stands for Refine, Invest, Serve, and Equip, has been actively serving students since 2022 through hands-on involvement in afterschool programs, student workshops, and community events. The initiative focuses on advocating for increased access to afterschool programming while supporting schools, families, and organizations with tools and resources to strengthen and expand what already exists.
“Afterschool programs provide more than just supervision—they create safe spaces where students can grow, build confidence, and explore their potential,” Williams said. “This platform allows R.I.S.E. to go beyond the programs I directly serve and become a tool that others can use to make an impact in their own communities.”
Williams’ passion for afterschool advocacy began during her time as a student at Northern Kentucky University, where she witnessed students walking unsupervised after school. Since then, she has remained consistently involved—volunteering multiple times each week, leading workshops, mentoring students, and organizing events such as Lights On Afterschool and Days of Service.
Now a classroom teacher, Williams has combined her professional background in education with her service efforts to develop standards-aligned programming for students. Her workshops focus on health, confidence, leadership, and life skills, while her enrichment programming connects students to real-world topics such as agriculture and community awareness.
As a candidate within the Miss Kentucky Organization, Williams uses her platform to advocate for expanded access to afterschool programming across the Commonwealth.
The newly developed R.I.S.E. Up for Afterschool website serves as a centralized hub where educators, families, and community members can access resources, find volunteer opportunities, and learn how to support or expand afterschool programs in their area.
“R.I.S.E. has always been about showing up for Kentucky’s youth,” Williams said. “Now, it’s about helping others do the same.”
Community members can learn more and get involved by visiting:
👉 https://riseupforafterschool.my.canva.site/
