40 Under Forty 2019: Sarah Baldiga
Sarah Baldiga, 36
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Co-founder & executive director
Rise Above Foundation, Hopkinton
Residence: Hopkinton
Birthplace: Upton
Colleges: Saint Anselm College & Worcester State University
Baldiga co-founded Rise Above 10 years ago to provide children in foster care with activities, opportunities and experiences they otherwise couldn’t afford as foster parents typically receive about $25 per day to cover a child’s food, housing and other basic needs. Equipment for sports, dance classes, costumes and instruments costs thousands per year, but Rise Above helps to close that gap. Under Baldiga, the organization has grown from an all-volunteer staff to three full-time staffers, which has helped Rise Above grow its clients from just a few hundred to more than 1,100 children in 2018. Baldiga and Rise Above have now helped more than 5,000 children and distributed more than $1 million for youth activities. Her work led her to be recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families’ 2018 Commissioner Community Leadership Award. That work includes growing a college care package program to ensure foster children in college are supported by delivering food and gift cards. Baldiga is the board chair of the MetroWest Nonprofit Network and is part of the social justice ministry at Saint Gabriel’s Parish in Upton. – Profile written by Zachary Comeau
Favorite Central Mass. tourist attraction? I love taking in all the sights at the Brimfield Antique Flea Market.
Who is most responsible for your success? My parents, who have always encouraged me through their words and example to serve others and stand up for injustices in our community.
Where do you go from here? I’m excited to help Rise Above grow to serve all 10,000+ foster youth in our state!
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