Breeann Katz
Hi! I’m Breeann, a CODA who grew up as the only hearing person in my immediate family, with Deaf parents and a Deaf older brother, along with other Deaf extended family members. I guess you could say I fell into the “family business” of interpreting and haven’t looked back since! I never really felt a true calling toward any other career, and interpreting just felt like the natural path for me. I started my career in VRS and did that for about 4–5 years before exploring other types of interpreting to see what my vibe was. I’ve had the opportunity to do a little bit of everything, including community, platform, VRS, and VRI interpreting, and now mainly focus on VRS and VRI since becoming a mom. I proudly got my NIC in 2024, which was truly life-changing. RISE really helped me develop my skills to get there. I couldn’t be more grateful to my peers. Being open to feedback and learning by watching my teams were crucial to my journey. Outside of interpreting, I love spending time with my family, going on trips together, eating good food, and spoiling our cats (as well as the community cats we go out and feed!). My fiancé, Kyle, and I have a son, Draco (he’s hearing), and our baby girl, Chase, who is joining us in early 2027!
Jessica Grant
Meet Jessica Grant!
Jessica Grant recently moved to Southern California and joined RISE as a Scheduler, Signing Aide, and Interpreter. Her journey with American Sign Language (ASL) began in high school, when she was first introduced to the Deaf world. She was immediately fascinated by the language and has continued learning ever since. Jessica values accessibility and is passionate about immersing herself in the Deaf community while continuing to grow her ASL skills. RISE stood out to her as a beautiful company where she could pursue these passions and make a meaningful difference.
Outside of work, Jessica loves reading both fiction and nonfiction, watching movies, baking, and trying different types of food. She hopes to continue building her fluency in ASL and eventually work at least 30 hours a week as a Sign Language Interpreter. Of course, she also has a personal reading goal: to read as many books as she possibly can!
One fun fact about Jessica? She loves eating ice cream on a cold day! She also enjoys a unique perk of ASL: being able to communicate from a distance with her partner, who is hard of hearing—even while waiting in the long Costco food line for hot dogs and pizza.
We’re excited to have Jessica on the RISE team and look forward to supporting her continued growth in ASL and her journey toward becoming an interpreter!
SDF Deaf+ Resource Fair
RISE will be at the SDF Deaf+ Resource Fair! Stop by to say hi to our team and explore resources, services, and support for the Deaf+ community.
- When
- Saturday, November 7
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Where
- Inland Regional Center
1425 South Waterman Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92408
boat, barco, SHARK
An A–Z Trilingual Picture Book
Created by Deaf author Sara Miller, this picture book invites families to discover and explore English, Spanish, and American Sign Language vocabulary through colorful cardboard-cutout illustrations.
Spanish
ASL
Help bring this project to life! Visit the Kickstarter campaign to learn more about the book, explore the available rewards, and see how you can support it.
4Legz: Treats with a Purpose
A Deaf-owned business built on love, inclusion, and the bond between people and their dogs.
4Legz is more than a dog treat company—it is a mission-driven brand built on love, inclusion, and purpose. Founded in Washington State, 4Legz creates organic, non-GMO, human-grade dog treats made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Every treat is crafted in small batches to support dogs’ health, happiness, and longevity. From everyday training treats to seasonal favorites and merchandise, 4Legz is committed to quality, transparency, and care in everything we make.
But 4Legz is not just about treats. It is about community. It is about creating opportunities for people of all abilities, supporting local rescues, and giving back to the animals and humans who need it most. Every product purchased helps fuel a larger mission of compassion and impact.
Why 4Legz Exists
4Legz was born from a deeply personal place. As someone born deaf, I experienced isolation, struggle, and the feeling of being misunderstood. My first dog, Woofer, was my lifeline. She didn’t see disability—she saw me. She gave me confidence, comfort, and unconditional love when I needed it most.
Years later, I wanted to give back to dogs the same love they gave me. I started baking treats in my garage, using clean ingredients I trusted, and sharing them with friends, neighbors, and local pet lovers. What began as a small act of gratitude quickly grew into something much bigger.
4Legz exists to honor the bond between humans and dogs. It exists to prove that businesses can lead with heart. It exists to create opportunities for those who are often overlooked. And it exists to give back—to rescues, to communities, and to the dogs who change our lives.
At its core, 4Legz stands for resilience, inclusion, and love. Because every dog deserves the best. And every person deserves to belong. 🐾💙
RISE End-of-Year Party
Save the date as we get ready to celebrate another year with the RISE team!
RSVP information will be sent soon.
Keep an eye on your RISE email for the invitation and additional event details.
A few important notes
Field Trip Reminder
Please let the RISE office know when there is a field trip. We will need the field trip location and the departure and return times. It is important that the student(s) receive your continued support during transportation. If separate transportation is required, please let us know as soon as possible, as this must be approved.
Most field trips will happen while you are scheduled to take a meal break. It is vital that you take this break by or before your 5th hour of work. If you are unable to take your break by the legally required time, contact RISE immediately for instructions.
At the end of the school day, please include notes in your job before closing it for accounting. Questions? Contact us!
Active Status Reminder
Remember: You must complete 2 assignments every 45 days to stay active with RISE Interpreting.
HR Notes & Important Updates
Open Enrollment
Please be on the lookout for an email from the HR Department next month regarding Open Enrollment.
Keep Your Address Current
Update your address at your earliest convenience so that your information is current for the upcoming tax year. You can sign in to Insperity using the button below.
HR How Do I…?
How do I update my direct deposit? Sign in to Insperity. On your dashboard, click Paycheck Details. Scroll down to the Direct Deposit section and click Edit Direct Deposit. From there, you can update your banking information.
How Much Water Do You Need?
A quick way to estimate your daily water intake.
Need a break from plain water?
Select the image to view the full-size infused-water recipes.
“Appreciation is our greatest harvest”
November Birthdays
Wishing a happy birthday to everyone celebrating this month!
Acquiesce
verb
Definition: to accept, agree, or comply, usually by staying silent or by not arguing.
Example: “She acquiesced to their request with a simple nod.”
Joke of the Month
What do cakes and baseball teams have in common? They both need a good batter.
