Twin Cities RISE! (TCR!)

10/12/2026

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Alex Merritt, our Vice President of Program Operations at Twin Cities R!SE, for being named a 2026 Notable Diverse Leader by Twin Cities Business! 🎉

Alex is one of just 21 leaders being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership, and impact in the community.

From mechanical engineering and nearly two decades at General Mills to helping transform lives through meaningful employment at TCR, Alex's journey is anything but ordinary.

But what makes her leadership truly special isn't just what she's accomplished. It's the way she uses her experience to create opportunities for others.

And that's only part of her story.

Alex, we're so proud of you! Your dedication, leadership, and heart for this work make a difference every day. 🧡

What does engineering have to do with empowering people? More than you might think.

Read more about Alex's remarkable journey, her accomplishments, and the leadership that earned her this recognition here: https://www.twincitiesrise.org/news-and-articles/alex-merritt-honored-as-a-notable-diverse-leader

And see Alex's official recognition in Twin Cities Business here: https://tcbmag.com/notable/alex-merritt/

Congratulations, Alex! 😊

10/09/2026

Today, we're celebrating Anthony Richmond, our Community Outreach Manager, and four incredible years at Twin Cities R!SE! 🎉

From helping nearly 2,000 Participants enroll in our programs to helping create and lead Empowered Reentry Training, Anthony's passion and lived experience have made a lasting impact on our organization and community.

As he reflects on this milestone, Anthony shares part of his journey. 🛣️

"Four years ago, I walked into Twin Cities R!SE carrying more than a resume. I walked in carrying a past I thought would always define me."

When Anthony interviewed for his position, he was asked how he would increase enrollment. His answer was simple:

"I'd go into the prisons."

That answer came from personal experience.

"When I was incarcerated, programs like the ones TCR provides were exactly what I needed. I needed hope. I needed support. I needed someone to help me see a future bigger than my circumstances."

Today, through Empowered Reentry Training, Anthony helps bring that same hope and support to individuals preparing for life after incarceration.

But one of the most meaningful moments of his journey happened during his first week at TCR.

Feeling unsure whether he belonged, Anthony asked his supervisor Alex, "You know I'm a felon, right?"

Her response changed how he saw himself.

To discover what Alex said and how that conversation shaped Anthony's journey, read his full story on our website here! 💬

🔗 https://www.twincitiesrise.org/news-and-articles/from-second-chances-to-creating-opportunities

10/09/2026

Last week, we celebrated our most recent group of R!SERs who successfully completed their My Road to Success training!

Throughout their journey, they have demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to their personal and professional growth.

Now, they're taking the next step! As they move into Career Club, they'll continue building their job search skills, preparing for interviews, connecting with employment opportunities, and exploring paid internship opportunities. They'll also continue working one-on-one with their career coach for up to two years, receiving personalized guidance and support as they navigate new opportunities, grow in their careers, and work toward their goals.

We're incredibly proud of how far they've come and excited for all that lies ahead! 🧡 🥳

10/06/2026

Our new website is live! 🥳 🎉

We’re so excited to share the new online home of Twin Cities R!SE.

We built the site to make it easier to find what you’re looking for, learn more about our work and get connected. We’re also incredibly proud to feature R!SERs throughout the site and celebrate the success happening every day at TCR.

Take a look around at twincitiesrise.org and let us know what you think. 🧡

10/05/2026

Today we’re celebrating 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 at Twin Cities R!SE! 🎉

As our 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗸 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿, Kristin is often the first voice someone hears when they call TCR and one of the first faces they see when they walk through our doors.

She works hard to make sure people feel 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳. From helping visitors and coordinating meetings to ordering food, supporting celebrations and keeping so many details moving behind the scenes, Kristin consistently goes above and beyond for our team and our community.

When asked what she is most proud of during her time at TCR, Kristin shared:
“𝗜’𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗧𝗖𝗥, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.”

Over the past four years, Kristin has also grown from having little experience in administration to hosting All Team meetings, becoming 𝗚𝗖𝗗𝗙 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 and completing 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Thank you, Kristin, for everything you do to help make TCR a welcoming place and for the care you bring to your work every day. We’re so glad you’re part of our team. 🧡

09/29/2026

🎉 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗥!𝗦𝗘!

Lonnia joins TCR as our 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿, bringing strong experience in nonprofit finance, grant compliance, financial reporting, and organizational leadership. She is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations make informed financial decisions that support their work and long-term impact.

“What stood out to me most was TCR's focus on personal empowerment. From my very first interactions, I could feel that commitment through the staff, the atmosphere, and the organization's genuine dedication to helping people achieve their goals.”

Outside of work, Lonnia loves traveling and exploring new countries, especially through cruising. She enjoys experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and discovering new places.

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮! 🧡

09/18/2026

Yesterday, our 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 completed eight weeks of training, and we are so proud of everything they accomplished!

Over the past eight weeks, R!SERs built hands-on skills and prepared for careers in facilities and maintenance. Now, they move into 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 and the next phase of their journey.

Some already have jobs lined up. Others will continue working alongside their coaches to apply, interview, find the right opportunity, and get the support they need along the way.

And that support doesn’t end when they get hired. Their coaches will continue walking alongside them for up to 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 as they navigate the ups and downs of a new role, with one big milestone ahead: ringing the TCR bell after 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 🔔

Congratulations, R!SERs! 🎉

09/18/2026

We had a great time at the 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝘇𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁 this past Saturday!

For 25 years, the 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝘇𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁 has brought music, culture, and community together along Selby Avenue, and we were grateful to be part of this year’s celebration.

Throughout the day, we shared information about TCR programs with people in the community and had so many 𝗧𝗖𝗥 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 stop by to say hello, including recent Graduates and others who completed TCR programs as far back as the ’90s!

It was a meaningful reminder of the history within this community and the many people who have been part of TCR over the years.


Selby Avenue JazzFest

09/11/2026

Looking for something to do this Saturday? 🎷

Twin Cities R!SE will be at Selby JazzFest on Saturday, September 12 from 11 AM–7 PM!

Come enjoy a day of live music, community, and great performances, and be sure to stop by the TCR tent to say hi and learn more about our free career trainings!

We’d love to see you there! 🧡😊

IT’S HERE TOMORROW. 🎷

After months of planning, posting, rehearsing, building, dreaming and talking about it…The 25th Annual Selby Avenue JazzFest is finally here.

And the forecast? Perfect. ☀️

Tomorrow, Selby Avenue comes alive with music, dancing, food, art, vendors, the Family Fun Zone, the second line, the brass band, and thousands of people coming together for a day of jazz and community.
And then, at 6:30…

STOKLEY takes the stage.

📍 Selby Avenue between Milton & Victoria
🗓️ Tomorrow — Saturday, September 12
🎟️ FREE & open to everyone

Bring your people. Bring a chair. Bring your dancing shoes.

We’ll see you on Selby.

Thank you to Levitt Family Foundation for its support of the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival! We love Levitt Family Foundation’s mission, which is to strengthen the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. In 2026, Levitt is supporting more than 1,000 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to create healthy, connected, and thriving communities. Learn more: levitt.org

The JazzFest is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Fund.

The JazzFest is funded in part by the Minnesota Humanities Center with money from the Arts and Cultural Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

And the JazzFest is supported, in part, by the City of St. Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program.