A Grassroots Nonprofit Building Bridges
Breaking barriers and fostering belonging in the Alberni-Clayoquot region.
Supporting Newcomers, Strengthening Community
RISE Alberni is a community-based nonprofit supporting newcomers and community members in Port Alberni and the Alberni-Clayoquot region.
We believe that a strong community is built on connection, understanding, and mutual support. Our programs create pathways for newcomers to develop language skills, navigate local systems, build employment readiness, and form meaningful connections with their neighbours.
As a grassroots organization, we listen to the people we serve and adapt our work to real community needs, from one-on-one tutoring and settlement navigation to anti-racism initiatives and emergency resilience planning.
The Faces Behind RISE
RISE Alberni is led by a three-person board, each bringing over a decade of experience in nonprofit management and frontline service delivery in the Alberni Valley and beyond.
The three of them worked together at Literacy Alberni Society. When that organization's community of English language learners was left without support, they came together to revive the ELL program and keep those connections intact. Out of that work came RISE, an organization built to expand the sense of community that brought them together in the first place.
PresidentLance Boer
Lance is a web developer and nonprofit consultant with fifteen years of experience building digital tools for community organizations. Originally from Port Alberni, he spent nearly a decade living in the United States before returning home to BC. He has served as board chair of Literacy Alberni Society, where he also ran a provincially funded employment training program. He also sits on the board of the Canadian Covid Society and at the Alberni-Clayoquot Health Network table of partners. At RISE, he oversees governance, operations, and technology infrastructure.
Vice PresidentMarilyn Gibson
Marilyn has spent decades teaching and building community alongside Port Alberni's immigrant population and well beyond it. Originally from Derby, England, she raised her family here and has become a familiar and well-loved presence across the valley. When she isn't working with our clients, she's often found supporting local hockey and rugby teams. At RISE, she oversees English language programs and community connections, and teaches an ELL class herself.
TreasurerRebecca Dixon
Rebecca is a former elementary school teacher and long-time nonprofit leader who has worked in the sector on both sides of the border. Originally from South Carolina, she now raises her family in Port Alberni. A decade in public school classrooms taught her what it looks like when systems fail people, and what it takes to build something better in the gaps. She currently works on a team delivering a provincial pilot program for disability and return-to-work supports. At RISE, she oversees the organization's finances.
Our Values
The four pillars that guide everything we do.
Readiness
We prepare newcomers and community members with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to participate fully in community life.
Inclusion
We create welcoming spaces where everyone belongs, regardless of background, language, or experience.
Skills
We develop practical abilities — from language fluency to digital literacy — that open doors to employment and independence.
Empowerment
We support individuals in taking ownership of their own futures, advocating for themselves, and contributing meaningfully to their community.
Grassroots, Community-Driven
As a grassroots organization, RISE Alberni is deeply connected to the community we serve. We listen to the needs of our participants and adapt our programs accordingly. Whether it's adding a new tutoring topic, developing emergency communication networks, or creating safe spaces for reporting hate incidents, our work is shaped by real community needs.
We work in partnership with local organizations, volunteer tutors, and community members to deliver programs that genuinely meet people where they are. We are a trusted local point of contact for newcomers navigating unfamiliar systems.
A Trusted Local Connection Point
For newcomers navigating unfamiliar systems
Want to Support Our Work?
Join us as a volunteer, partner, or supporter to help build a more inclusive Alberni-Clayoquot region.