UpWorks

05/14/2021

Today is a new day that represents a wonderful move forward for UpWorks and Redeemer Center for Life (RCFL) — a nonprofit committed to youth training, attainable housing, and workforce development in North Minneapolis.

As UpWorks looked ahead into 2021 and beyond, we saw opportunities for our programming to become stronger and more impactful by transitioning into the programs already thriving at RCFL. To best position UpWorks for the future we merged with RCFL, as a result our flagship programs and much of our team are moving over to RCFL. Unfortunately, in this process, the remaining balance of UpWorks will close.

All of us at UpWorks and Redeemer Center for Life are truly optimistic about what the future holds. We are grateful for the lives that will continue to be positively impacted after these programs move to RCFL and into a new chapter.

Please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" page for further information and how you can get involved into the programs at RCFL. https://upworksmn.org/a-wonderful-move-forward-frequently-asked-questions-faq/
Thank you for all of your support and faith!

Sincerely,
The UpWorks Board, Executive Director Lisa Peterson, and Team

04/16/2021

Our PACE Program is an 8+ week group program designed for urban young adults who desire to develop the necessary skills to shift from seeking a job to building a career. While other important programs focus on job training and placement, the PACE Program invests in building critical soft skills that support sustainable and satisfying careers.

Learn more at

This 8+ week group program is designed for urban young adults who to develop the necessary skills to shift from seeking a job to building a career.While other important programs focus on job training and placement, the PACE Program invests in building critical soft skills that support sustainable an...

03/31/2021

During COVID-19, our community’s needs are more significant than ever. All of our programs continue to operate at total capacity using safe practices. Our Enriching Schools Program provides direct pandemic relief. Our PACE Program and Empowering Adults Program are currently entirely virtual.

03/24/2021

Our vision is to reduce rearrest, relapse, and risk in underserved individuals as the bridge from crisis to stability. We help break the cycle of crisis by paving the way for participants to reignite self-worth and be equipped to see and seize lasting change.
See hope, see how.

To learn more, visit our website at https://upworksmn.org/.

We help break the cycle of crisis through programs that reignite connection, worth, and a focus on the future. Our participants succeed at a higher rate because they are prepared to both see and seize lasting change.

03/18/2021

UpWorks is pleased to share with you some upcoming developments. Our Director of the Empowering Adults Program, Kevin Saunders, has accepted two new positions with our partner organizations, LINC Twin Cities and Redeemer Center for Life. Kevin will remain a consultant to UpWorks to amplify the relationship between UpWorks and these two partner organizations.

In addition, UpWorks has been working on changes to best position ourselves for strength and growth in 2021, and those changes will be rolling out over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for what's to come!

03/09/2021

Through our Enriching Schools Program, we have been able to form thriving partnerships with organizations to serve their local schools. We ask schools with underserved students what pressing needs they would like to see filled to uplift their students. Several requests we receive from schools are to provide direct pandemic relief.

Recently, volunteers from Zion Lutheran Church in Minneapolis donated and prepared recess equipment for students at Lyndale Community School PTO to meet the school’s COVID-19 requirement for each class to have their own set of recess equipment. Thanks to our network partners, we were able to respond to a unique request and make a difference in students’ lives!

Our Enriching Schools Program facilitates by being a bridge between organizations and local schools. Learn more about how your organization or school can benefit from partnering with UpWorks. https://upworksmn.org/enriching-schools-program/

03/05/2021

We’ve moved to a new office in North Minneapolis! We’re now sharing a building with our nonprofit partner, FreedomWorks Reentry & Recovery Community.

Welcome to our new office space at 2900 Fremont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411! We’re pleased to continue to serve in the heart of North Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities area.

03/03/2021

What happens when you invest in the PACE Program?
Your support and investment allow UpWorks to impact urban and minority young adults who face multiple barriers in accessing and sustaining quality employment.

The chief issue we’ve recognized in the job market is that new employees from different backgrounds often quit their jobs or are terminated within their probationary period. Our PACE Program provides critical soft skills training needed to retain an entry-level position and deliver excellence so our program participants can continue to build their desired careers. They intentionally consider what they want to accomplish in their life. Many of them come to realize their dreams and goals can become a reality!

“I have witnessed participants make major changes in their lifestyle through disassociating themselves from negative influences once they are committed to our PACE Program. They start to realize their lives are valuable and they can impact their peers, family members, and community!” - Stacey Jones, Director of the PACE Program & Director of Community Relations.

Our transformative work happens when you invest in UpWorks! Donate TODAY to support lasting change for urban young adults in our PACE Program at https://upworksmn.org/lasting-change-fund.

02/26/2021

When you invest in UpWorks, our Enriching Schools Program can provide resources into the hands of students and their families of our school partners caused by the aftermath of the pandemic. Even before COVID-19, we supported schools with urgent needs for underserved students through volunteering, tutoring, providing emotional support via mentoring programs, assisting school events, donating supplies, and serving schools as they requested.

Our Enriching Schools Program has helped students and their families by setting up food donations and personal care shelves at schools and churches to help fulfill basic needs. We even facilitated establishing a food shelf at a school that had never needed something like this before until COVID-19 arose. Our partner volunteers further met this need by delivering food to families who could not make it to their local distribution site.

This incredible life-changing work happens when you invest and support in UpWorks! Donate today to support lasting change in your surrounding schools at https://upworksmn.org/lasting-change-fund.

02/23/2021

UpWorks acknowledges Dollie D. Foster during as we continue to celebrate African American pioneers that help shape history in Minnesota and the United States of America. Born in 1925, Dollie grew up in Texas with her father, who worked as a sharecropper, and her mother earned one dollar a week as a maid during The Great Depression and segregation eras.

During the Great Migration era, her immediate family relocated to Minnesota. In the Minneapolis school system, she worked as the Community Organizer and within Children & Family Services, which connected her to the foster care system. Foster care allowed her to care for 300+ children. Her reputation of love, warmth, discipline, and God-fearing exceed her after she retired. Her leadership skills allowed her to oversee the Women’s Ministry Department of Minnesota Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the “Church of God in Christ.” Dollie continues to be a Black history hero that continues to inspire the masses all across the country through her speaking.

02/19/2021

In acknowledgment of Black History Month, UpWorks celebrates Casiville Bullard, an abundant stonecutter and skillful carpenter who made tremendous contributions to building St. Paul, Minnesota.

Born in 1873, Casiville’s history of work is a compelling story as he and his wife, Addie, moved to St. Paul to build their house, which became a historic landmark on 1282 Folsom Street. Highly sought out during a significant time of racism in American history, some of Casiville’s contributions to St. Paul include; Highland Park Water Tower, Minnesota State Capitol, Foshay Tower, and Cathedral of St. Paul.

His history of work is impressive, and his life is inspiring. His wife died at the age of 32; therefore, he would have to raise their ten children on his own. He promised his wife that their children would not be taken away and sent to separate homes. As a result, he raised all of his children with love and care. His daughter Arlee Blakey said, “…he made it cozy for us after our mother died.” Casiville Bullard’s life and work are an example for all of humanity. We salute him for the outstanding contributions but, most of all, his commitment to his family.

02/18/2021

Where are the Empowering Adults Program graduates now?
Learn more about our programs at https://upworksmn.org/.