The ARISE project is a faith-based education and mentoring programme for young people aged 11–18 from African diaspora families. Run by the Society of Jesus, it offers after-school academic tuition, one-to-one mentoring and wider personal development activities, while also building relationships with families and advocating for greater inclusion and opportunity.
Rooted in Jesuit values of faith and social justice, the project aims to foster hope, confidence and long-term change by supporting young people not only in their studies, but in their wider sense of identity, belonging and aspiration.
ARISE was launched at the London Jesuit Centre in November 2025, marking the completion of its first pilot phase, which ran from September to October at All Saints Catholic High School in Stamford Hill. The celebration included a thanksgiving Mass at Farm Street Church, presided over by the Provincial of Jesuits in Britain, Fr Peter Gallagher SJ, with music from an African choir, followed by presentations and testimonies from staff, tutors and young participants.
Fr Dalibor Renić SJ, President of the European Conference of Jesuits, highlighted the wider significance of the initiative: “Through its work, ARISE seeks not only to empower young people of African heritage to overcome systemic challenges but also to make the Church a more welcoming and effective instrument of social inclusion and justice.”
The project is led by Fr Jean Nyembo SJ of the Central African Province and is a joint initiative of the Jesuits in Britain and the Jesuit Conferences of Africa and Europe. At its heart is a desire to bridge gaps many African diaspora families experience when navigating education and other public services, ensuring young people feel known, understood and supported.
Following the initial pilot, plans are now under way for a significantly expanded second phase.
Fr Jean Nyembo SJ said:
“This second phase marks a decisive step for ARISE, moving us from testing a concept to consolidating a model. We learned that when young people are trusted with consistent support, mentoring, and a place to belong, they grow in confidence remarkably. This phase allows us to widen access and walk alongside them as they continue to discern their gifts, dignity and a future once thought out of reach.
“Regarding age, at this stage, the programme targets secondary school students and their parents. In subsequent phases, provision is planned to extend support to participants through higher education and into early adulthood, up to the age of 26. The programme is designed as a multi-stakeholder intervention and therefore includes a structured parental engagement component.”
The second phase will involve around 50 secondary school students, more than double the number who took part in the first pilot, with a balanced mix of boys and girls.
Alongside tuition in Maths and English and one-to-one mentoring, the programme will broaden its offer to include science, sports and cultural activities, supporting a more holistic formation of young people. The programme will also run for more than three months, compared to the six-week duration of the initial pilot.
In the coming months, the leadership team will hold planning meetings, recruit a small group of staff and begin selecting new participants from the local area, particularly in Haringey and Hackney, working in partnership with schools and Catholic parishes including St John Vianney and St Francis de Sales.
By combining practical educational support with mentoring, community connection and advocacy, the ARISE project reflects the Jesuit commitment to walking with those on the margins and accompanying young people towards a hopeful and confident future.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
