Join the #GetOFFyourPhone initiative. Discover the power of “Time Currency” – investing in yourself, your family, and your community. Learn More ➔
Placeholder for Embedded Presentation: We believe time is generational wealth. Our program helps you reclaim it from screens and reinvest it in what truly matters – fostering critical thinking, strengthening community bonds, and nurturing empathetic, accountable individuals.
Stand & Rise is more than an initiative; it’s a mission born from a deep understanding of life’s complex challenges and an unwavering commitment to fostering resilience, connection, and growth. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that by reclaiming our “time currency” from digital distractions, we can cultivate critical thinking, amplify community voice, and build a future where empathy and accountability thrive.
My journey to founding Stand & Rise is deeply personal, shaped by a childhood marked by significant adversity. While the details remain private, these experiences instilled in me a profound empathy for vulnerable individuals and a fierce determination to create positive change. They taught me the critical importance of resilience and the power of a supportive community in overcoming life’s most daunting obstacles. This foundation fuels my drive to ensure others find the strength and resources they need to rise above their own challenges.
More recently, I’ve navigated complex and prolonged family dynamics involving a former spouse, where existing legal and support systems have proven inadequate. This situation has placed immense emotional and financial strain on my family, including my own children, and has highlighted critical gaps in how society protects and supports families facing such intricate challenges. Witnessing these dynamics firsthand has solidified my resolve: we must build new pathways for support and accountability, driven by community action, when traditional avenues fall short.
This personal crucible became the catalyst for a pivotal decision: to return to school and pursue a degree in Political Science. My academic journey began in Electronics Engineering, where I reached senior status with only nine credits remaining before life circumstances forced me to prioritize work over education. Now, as a senior in Political Science, I face a study-intensive curriculum, a stark contrast to my previous technical focus.
Balancing full-time work with being a single parent to three children makes full-time study incredibly challenging. However, I must pursue my education full-time due to the structure of my husband’s GI Bill benefits, which are allocated in months, not a flexible balance. This means the faster I complete my classes, the less I spend out of pocket, making efficiency paramount.
My husband has made an extraordinary sacrifice, dedicating a portion of his children’s GI Bill benefits and half of his retirement to make this dream a reality for me. This profound act of faith means I cannot fail. My time cannot be distracted by a job solely focused on making money for others when I have a vital mission to accomplish—a mission crucial for our entire community.
This endeavor is too important to undertake alone. I need a village to make this work, to bring the vision of Stand & Rise to fruition and truly empower a generation to thrive beyond digital confines.
Understanding the impact of excessive screen time and related societal pressures is the first step towards positive change. This section presents data illustrating the challenges our communities face, underscoring the urgency of initiatives like #GetOFFyourPhone.
Average Daily Screen Time
A look at how screen time fits into the broader picture of daily activities.
Context: This chart highlights a societal issue that, while not directly screen-time related for all, speaks to vulnerabilities and control dynamics that our broader mission of empowerment and community strength aims to address. Data shown is illustrative of such concerns.
The #GetOFFyourPhone initiative is more than just a call to action; it’s a structured program designed to support individuals and families in building healthier relationships with technology. Learn about our Phoenix Trainee Program and the commitments involved.
Schedule: A 1-6 week training program featuring weekday classes and engaging Saturday events (3-8 hours duration).
Personalized Growth: Includes a “testing phase” to assess children’s unique capabilities, strengths, and areas for growth, ensuring program development is tailored to individual needs rather than just age.
Data-Informed Approach: We transparently collect and utilize anonymized data from parents, children, and (where applicable) schools to continuously improve program effectiveness and provide targeted support.
Program Start Date: Summer 2025
Active Participation: Parents are required to attend all related events. Stand & Rise actively works to facilitate attendance and make participation feasible.
Volunteer Spirit: We encourage parents to volunteer, as this builds children’s confidence and strengthens vital community bonds.
Screen Time Reduction Agreement: A core component is the mutual agreement for parents to actively reduce their own and their child’s screen time. Resources and support groups are provided. The concept of a “public list” for accountability is framed sensitively as a tool for community peer support, not shaming, designed to foster collective responsibility.
Connected Growth: Our designated screen-tracking mobile application (details forthcoming) will foster a supportive community for members to share their progress, interests, and disinterests.
Meaningful Relationships: The app and associated community activities aim to help build meaningful relationships and increase quality offline time.
Lifetime Access: Once a member, always a member. We offer free lifetime access to our core community resources and network.
Your support is vital to the success of Stand & Rise and the #GetOFFyourPhone initiative. There are many ways to contribute, from spreading the word to volunteering your time or making a donation. Together, we can create lasting community change.
Help us reach more families and individuals by sharing our mission on social media, with your friends, and in your community.
Lend your skills and passion to our cause. We welcome volunteers for events, mentorship, and administrative support.
Your financial contribution directly supports our programs, research, and outreach, empowering community change.
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, want to learn more about partnerships, or wish to join our mailing list for updates and research, please reach out.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (928) 750-1110
Cash App: $mamalonais
Address: Coming Soon
Stay tuned for our upcoming Blog for ongoing updates, research insights, and community stories.
