Rising together is not a metaphor
The mission
words that open doors
Kelly Justus
Kelly Justus writes because silence is not neutral. Every story she tells is an act of advocacy — for survivors, for communities that have been told their pain is private, and for the young women who need to see themselves in the pages of a book.
Like Water, I Rise is not only a memoir. It is a call to action — a reminder that healing is communal, that rising requires witnesses, and that the act of naming what happened is the first step toward changing it.
Causes & community
where the work lives
- ALTERISTIC programsWe specialize in delivering data-supported programs focused on preventing concerning behaviors including harassment, bullying, and hazing. Using a bystander framework, participants are taught skills that will allow them to do their part to create environments that maximize the wellness, performance, productivity, and success of each person
- Post-Trauma support with RAINNAs the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, RAINN's mission is to stop sexual violence by supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and creating safer communities.
- Accountability through CallistoOur encrypted platform, Callisto Vault, allows survivors to create a timestamped record of their assault and/or match with others harmed by the same perpetrator.
The community
no one rises alone
The book is a beginning. The conversation it starts — in book clubs, classrooms, and living rooms — is where the real work happens. Kelly is available for speaking engagements, community events, and educational partnerships.