Race, Identity, Culture and History (R.I.C.H.)

R.I.C.H. is a Richard Kemp Center prevention and intervention program for youth who identify as Black, Brown or interracial and mixed race families.  This includes mixed race families, transracial foster care and adoption and any other interracial family configuration. Raising any child is difficult.  However raising children in mixed race environments introduces additional identity and cultural challenges for Black and Brown youth. In response to the trauma of these unaddressed challenges youth are often misdirected into harmful systems, becoming further traumatized, often institutionalized and criminalized.

Well meaning white parents struggle with confusion and anguish for lack of understanding of how to adequately meet these previously unknown needs of Black and Brown youth. Parents need the tools to do the work. This  includes the ability to identify and understand existing racial trauma while acknowledging and respecting cultural differences.  Facilitating and supporting youth’s ability to culturally embrace their identity is also important in this journey. R.I.C.H. assists youth in understanding and making sense of their identity and embracing their culture. 

Through dialogue, activities, exploration & education R.I.C.H. creates a safe space to enable individuals and families a place to learn, grow and heal.  This trauma informed, trauma responsive wellness program’s creation was informed by over 50 years of lived experience Vermont lived experience.  It is a holistic,  prevention and intervention program that meets an age old and rapidly proliferating unmet need for the underserved communities of Vermont.for all individuals to come together and celebrate the richness of our shared human experience.

This prevention and intervention program was designed for the BIPOC youth Community (and their white guardians) 

While our focus is primarily impacted youth and families who are Black, Brown or interracial and mixed race families we will intentionally include and embrace all community members who participate. 

Participants will be invited to participate in any and all of the regular RKC activities and will be invited to apply to travel on the 3rd Annual “Sankofa” trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in April 2025.

• Increase wellness 
• Prevention and Intervention 
• Learn, grow and heal
• Enrichment 

• Application Process 
  • Survey and Sign Up Form (coming soon)
  • Parental Permission - youth under the age of 18.
  • Engagement Agreement
• Regular monthly meetings that will be held at the Richard Kemp Center (virtual, in person and hybrid). 
  • Parents and caregivers 
  • Youth 12 years old and up only
  • Family Meeting
• We will explore the four topics - Race, Identity, Culture & History using a variety of resources including but not limited to;
  • Books and videos
  • guest speakers
  • local field trips

Watch here for more details about additional orientations and meetings.  

Email us with your questions or input at info@richardkempcenter.org.