Rite of Passage

Our 2026 magazine is out now! Within these pages you’ll meet youth whose lives have been transformed through empowerment, supportive relationships, and opportunities to share their stories in their own words. Read it here: https://ow.ly/15Iy50YXNfI

April is Autism Awareness Month! ♾️ This month, and every month, we recognize our neurodivergent population and strive to improve their quality of life. Acceptance, education, and support are all part of raising Autism awareness. Hear from the Director of our ABA clinic, Sara Thompson, M.A., BCBA, LBA, on how they are building better outcomes for neurodivergent children. #autismawarenessmonth #autismawareness #abaclinic #neurodivergentchildren https://lnkd.in/gj37k4g8

“This problem doesn’t just go away.” Preventing trafficking and exploitation starts with awareness and action. We spoke with The Embracing Project Director, Makaya Swain, to explore how communities can recognize the signs and work together to protect vulnerable children. Read the full story below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gMcGiBxN

Our 2026 Annual Meeting brought together Rite of Passage leaders from across the country to align our vision, share best practices, and shape the future of our agency. Over four impactful days, leaders collaborated, engaged in professional development, and set a clear course for the year ahead. We were honored to learn from Lisette A. Burton, J.D., Dr. Paula Smith, and Dr. William Bruinsma, whose expertise and insights continue to strengthen our work in youth services. One of the most powerful moments was hearing from a panel of current students and alumni, reinforcing our commitment to embedding voice and choice across all aspects of our programming. When young people are empowered, meaningful change happens. We’re proud to recognize the outstanding leaders who make this work possible every day. Energized and aligned, we look forward to the year ahead as we continue this important work together! #YouthEmpowerment #ProfessionalDevelopment #YouthAdvocates #WeAreROP #VoiceAndChoice #ContinuousLearning

Step back in time for a night of Velvet, Vintage, Vegas! 🌟 Join us for the 1st Annual Gala supporting The Embracing Project, the only drop-in center in Las Vegas for youth survivors of sexual exploitation. Your night of celebration = their chance at hope, healing, and a brighter future. 📅 October 4th, 2025 🌍 The historic mansion of Phyllis McGuire 💻 Learn more and register now: www.velvetvintagevegas.com See you there! #velvetvintagevegas #theembracingproject #GalaForGood #WeareROP

100 miles. Countless challenges. Even more memories. This daunting journey turned into a powerful lesson in self-confidence, teamwork, and belief in what’s possible. In this video, hear directly from the students and staff who pedaled through the hills, braved the heat, and leaned on each other every mile of the way. 🎥 Watch the highlights from the ride and the moments that made it unforgettable. https://lnkd.in/gUK8Mijy #TourDeYouth #ROP #RAMSValues #100MilesTogether

🚴 Tour de Youth: Mansfield, Arkansas → Hot Springs National Park 🚴 At the beginning of August, six students set out to complete what seemed impossible. Over the course of nearly 100 miles, our students and staff biked from Mansfield, Arkansas through beautiful landscapes from Waldron to Iron Forks, and Ouachita National Forest, finishing strong at Hot Springs National Park. Led by Greg Townsend, his daughter Sara, and the Program Director at MJTC— students proved to themselves that mile after mile, they could go farther than they imagined. The ride was not easy. The hilly landscape tested their legs, the heat tested their stamina, and each mile tested their own resilience and determination. In the end, the hardwork paid off with every youth riding every mile on the final day. Through it all students leaned on one another and on their RAMS values that guided them through the journey. Top moments from students and staff included: 🔥 Making s’mores after a long day of riding ⛺ Learning how to pitch tents for the first time 🎉 A send-off parade with halls lined with cheering students, staff, and handmade signs 💦 Jumping into the water to celebrate with a swim at the finish line 🌲 Riding through quiet stretches of Arkansas nature 🚴 Crossing the final mile together The miles were hard, but the memories—and the proof of what’s possible—will last a lifetime. Check in tomorrow to hear from students and staff about their experience and see more from the rest of the ride! #TourDeYouth #ROP #RAMSValues #100MilesTogether

Do you lead with Respect, Attitude, Motivation, and Spirit? We call that the RAMS way—and it's how we show up for the youth we serve every single day. If you're a compassionate, driven professional who embodies those RAMS values, we want to meet you! We’re currently hiring in communities across the country: 🔹 Youth Care Worker – San Andreas, CA https://lnkd.in/gSsieZmu 🔹 Licensed Therapeutic Manager – Miami, FL https://lnkd.in/gi8JaVJV 🔹 Head of Service (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) –San Andreas, CA https://lnkd.in/g32E9Rns 🔹 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Mansfield, AR https://lnkd.in/gww24KWR 🔹 Youth Mentor – Idaho Springs, CO https://lnkd.in/g8GcPS5m Don’t see a fit but believe in the mission? Browse all open opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/gJ9n4cPM #Hiring #YouthServices #MentalHealthCareers #TherapeuticJobs #RiteOfPassage #MakeADifference

We believe effective care for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder means looking beyond the therapy room. While Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) remains a cornerstone of autism intervention, meaningful and lasting progress is achieved through true multidisciplinary collaboration. When Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, educators, and mental health professionals come together, we gain a more complete understanding of each child’s unique needs. By integrating best practices, diverse expertise, and shared experience, we can develop holistic care plans that prioritize behavioral outcomes and the overall well-being, growth, and success of every child we serve. For this month’s #ThoughtLeadersAtROP, Sara Thompson, M.A., BCBA, LBA dives into how collaborative, holistic models are raising the standard for autism care. Read the full story and join us in shaping a more connected, compassionate approach to youth development. #AutismSupport #MultidisciplinaryCare #BehavioralHealth #YouthDevelopment #ThoughtLeadership #WeareROP #ABA

🚴♂️ Tour de Youth 2025: 492 Miles of Discovery, Strength, and Wonder 🌄 What started as a dream to ride across the country became something just as meaningful—a journey that redefined what’s possible for the young people we serve. On May 21st, five students and several dedicated staff from Canyon State Academy and San Pasqual Academy embarked on a 10-day cycling adventure like no other. Led by the inspiration behind Hard Miles, Greg Townsend, the Tour de Youth team took on the adventure from Escondido, CA to the edge of one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth, The Grand Canyon. Over the course of 492 miles, these young men pedaled through the stillness of Anza-Borrego’s desert springs, the sweeping sands of North Algodones Dunes, the rugged beauty of Ocotillo Wells, and the rich wildlife of Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. This was a chance to experience the healing power of the outdoors, the confidence that comes with completing a hard journey, and the kind of joy that only comes from doing something you never thought you could. These young riders showed up with courage and determination, and left with a sore body, cherished memories, and a great deal of pride knowing that they are capable of far more than they imagined. They got to enjoy the beauty of camping under the stars, a s'more or two, and many neat educational stops along the way. While this Tour de Youth trip may look different from its original vision, it has opened doors for youth who might never have had the chance to see a place like the Grand Canyon or feel the quiet peace of a desert sunrise. These experiences can be life changing for youth to understand that there is limitless potential in this world for them to take advantage of. The Grand Canyon is just a peek of that. These life-changing experiences don’t end here. We hope to bring these moments to our kids everyday, whether on a bike halfway across the country, on-site in a classroom, or outside experiencing everyday childhood experiences. These are the moments that matter. 📸 Check back this week on Instagram and Facebook for more behind-the-scenes photos, incredible side-by-side shots, and details from this life-changing adventure. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gVfRGaHy #TourdeYouth #HardMiles #RiteOfPassage #YouthDevelopment #Cyclingforgrowth