Youth Development
Helping young people discover their strengths, interests, and future opportunities.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Cedar Falls & Riverton
Every Young Person Has We Help Them Find Their Path.
Cedar Falls Youth Corp connects youth, mentors, and businesses to create opportunities that build confidence, careers, and stronger communities.
Building FuturesCreating OpportunitiesDeveloping LeadersGoing Pro Starts Right HereMentorshipBasketballCareersCommunity
Our Mission
More Than A Program. A Pathway.
Cedar Falls Youth Corp exists to provide young people with access to mentorship, career opportunities, leadership development, and positive environments where they can grow.
Workforce Connections
Connecting businesses with motivated young people ready to learn and build careers.
Community Mentorship
Creating relationships with adults who believe in investing in the next generation.
Built On The Court
Skills Employers Can't Find In A Classroom
Athletics builds the exact skills today's employers say they can't find. They're built on the court, on the field, and in the grind of practice.
Work Ethic
Built on the court, not taught in a classroom.
Punctuality
Show up. Every day. On time. Ready to compete.
Coachability
The best players are always open to learning more.
Positive Attitude
How you carry yourself defines your game and your career.
“We’re developing the next generation of successful people, ”
Featured Program
The RISE
Where Basketball Becomes A Gateway To Opportunity.
The RISE League (RISE) is a basketball-based youth development program created to provide young athletes with a safe, competitive, and inspiring environment.
While basketball brings youth together, mentorship creates the foundation.
Leadership skillsTeamworkConfidencePositive relationshipsCareer exposureLife skills
RISE League Play
Youth & adult divisions · Cedar Falls & Riverton
Basketball
A safe, competitive, inspiring environment brings youth together.
Mentorship
Coaches and community leaders build trust and foundation.
Education
Life skills, discipline, and learning habits take root.
Career
Exposure to real businesses opens doors to real futures.
Leadership
Young athletes become leaders in their own communities.
The Story
From A Cold Winter
To A
It started simple: his friends had nowhere to play basketball during the long winter, so Dre built something from scratch. He modeled the league after the pros — tracking stats, naming Players of the Game, conducting pregame and postgame interviews, cutting highlight reels, and livestreaming games.
That energy drew players from towns across the region. Between the men's league and high school league, over 150 players showed up to compete.
The whole community stayed locked in on every post because the content was creative, funny, and real.
“Basketball was just the door. Community was always the destination.”
— Andre “Dre” Bishop, RISE Founder
- 1
March 2024
Dre founded the league with nowhere to play. Built it from scratch.
- 2
Spring 2024
Modeled after the pros — stats, player interviews, highlight reels, livestreams.
- 3
Summer 2024
150+ players from towns across the region and beyond.
- 4
Now
Operating under Cedar Falls Youth Corp as the RISE League — building people, not just players.
Basketball develops the player.
Our Impact
Decades Of Showing Up For Young People
Experience earned on courts, in classrooms, in boardrooms, and across the Cedar Falls community.
Players Reached
Coaching Experience
Community Experience
RISE Founded
Gallery
The Game. The Community.
Moments from RISE game days, training sessions, and the community that shows up for them. (Placeholder scenes — real program photography drops in here.)
Leadership
Meet The Team
Coaches, builders, and community leaders who have spent their careers investing in people.
Marcus Hale
Executive Director
College GraduateFormer D1 Athlete25 Years CoachingCommunity Leader
Marcus Hale brings over three decades of experience in leadership, workforce development, recruiting, coaching, and community service.
A college graduate and former football player, Marcus combines professional experience with a lifelong commitment to developing people.
Andre "Dre" Bishop
Program Director
College Athlete AlumRISE FounderEntrepreneurCommunity Leader
Andre "Dre" Bishop is a driving force behind youth development in the Cedar Falls community.
A former college basketball player, Dre combines athletic experience, entrepreneurship, creativity, and community leadership.
Jordan Reeves
Brand Ambassador
Former Division 1 Basketball PlayerEntrepreneurCommunity Advocate
Jordan Reeves represents the mission and vision of Cedar Falls Youth Corp through athletics, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
As a former Division 1 basketball player and entrepreneur, Jordan understands the importance of mentorship, opportunity, and creating pathways for young people.
Governance
Our Board
The leadership structure guiding Cedar Falls Youth Corp's mission and growth.
MH
Marcus Hale
Executive Director
AB
Andre Bishop
Program Director
JR
Jordan Reeves
Brand Ambassador
DW
Dana Whitfield
Board Member
Partnership
Businesses Build
Businesses are not just employers. They are opportunity creators.
Cedar Falls Youth Corp partners with organizations that want to:
- Develop future talent
- Mentor young people
- Create internships
- Build workforce pipelines
Get Involved
Everyone Has Something To Give
Whether you're a young person looking for direction, a business ready to invest, or a mentor with experience to share — there's a place for you here.
Businesses
Invest In Future Talent
Partner with us to develop the next generation workforce.
Become A Partner