Impact Report — RiseUp Red Wing

Impact Report
2023 - 2024

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As I reflect on the accomplishments of RiseUp Red Wing over the past year, there is much to celebrate. Our organization continued to center the perspectives and experiences of the youth in our community through the launch of the Community Youth Council. We faced challenges head-on, embracing each as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and increase our impact. We’ve expanded on and built more partnerships with individuals and groups in our community, and these are a testament to our collective effort and the belief in our mission of unlocking the potential in every young person.

This past year, we served more youth than ever before, and our young leaders were critical to our impact. Our student mentors, the Community Youth Council, and our youth volunteers have been a driving force behind our success, and their commitment, creativity, and resilience have helped expand our reach and impact in our community. It has been inspiring to witness their growth and the positive changes they have spearheaded within and around Red Wing.

In this Impact Report, we’ll share more about our youth leaders, our continued evolution as an organization, and the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and volunteers. The time, energy, expertise, and support from our partners played an essential role in our success, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

RiseUp Red Wing has bold plans for the coming year as we build on our mission for our youth. Thank you for your continued support and for being a key part of building a Red Wing where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

In partnership,

Mandy Arden
Executive Director
RiseUp Red Wing

About RiseUp Red Wing

Mission

We are on a mission to ensure Red Wing offers abundant opportunities for all young people to unleash their potential. We serve youth and families through caring, responsive programming, and we foster shared action among partners committed to supporting youth.

Vision

We envision a safe, vibrant Red Wing for all: Every young person has access to opportunities that help them reach their goals, youth and families are recognized as collaborators and leaders, and all Red Wing youth and community members feel valued, included, and empowered.

Our Impact

We support youth by helping them build caring relationships with trusted adults in their community, and we work alongside parents to grow their advocacy skills and connect them to the resources that will help their children thrive.

All Programs

100%

of youth participants report that RiseUp Red Wing staff provide a safe and inclusive environment for them to learn in

80%

of youth participants report building a trusting relationship with RiseUp Red Wing staff

70%

of youth participants report that RiseUp Red Wing staff express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, and extend possibilities

57%

of youth participants have a network of caring adults to help them build skills, become resilient, and develop a sense of belonging

Mentoring

Independent Living Skills

59
mentees

31
adult mentors

20
high school mentors

683
1:1 mentor hours

148
1:1 staff support hours

44
students

65
group sessions

95%
of students are stably housed

77%
of students are employed

Parent Engagement

21
families supported

69
successful parental interactions with resources and social connections between families

$1,323
the average amount of financial assistance provided to nine families for emergency situations

Caring, Responsive Programming

Middle School Programming

RiseUp Red Wing ran afterschool programming at the middle school three times per week, which included a mix of homework help, independent living skills, and social-emotional learning activities designed to boost students' confidence and foster strong relationships with mentors and staff. Over the course of the year, students created personalized playlists, participated in outdoor scavenger hunts, and crafted life-hack boards, along with designing seasonal crafts. Additionally, RiseUp Red Wing partnered with the University of Minnesota to offer an eight-week program targeting depression and low mood among selected middle school students, which will continue in the 2024-2025 school year.

High School Programming

Establishing strong relationships with trusted adults was at the heart of the RiseUp Red Wing high school mentoring program, which helped students who were struggling socially and emotionally to establish supportive mentor relationships and helped guide them in developing better self-esteem, creating healthy relationships, and making positive life choices. Mentors and mentees met one-on-one, in small group settings, and in large group settings, during the school day and out of school on their own time, for at least one hour every other week. Though mentors in our group-based programs were matched with one youth, they were always in the presence of other mentors and mentees. This helped students learn social and emotional skills in a group setting, but with supportive and individualized attention.

By the numbers

24
student mentees

18
mentors

92%
of participants decreased their number of unexcused absences

36%
of participants increased their academic pass rates

100%
of the high school seniors involved in our programming graduated on time

79%
of high school participants are competent in the following social and emotional management skills: relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision making, self-management and self-awareness

Independent Living Skills

The RiseUp Red Wing Independent Living Skills (ILS) class at Tower View Alternative High School was designed to support students in managing their day-to-day needs as they enter adulthood, giving them the skills needed to pursue their goals. The class consisted of a semester-long curriculum, including a simulation of finding a job, opening bank accounts, finding a place to live, understanding insurance, and financial planning and budgeting. Students attended field trips and participated in events such as mock interviews with the Career Force Center. They also learned how to use public transportation, reducing a critical barrier to consistent employment.

Parent Engagement

RiseUp Red Wing provides support to families across Goodhue County by connecting them to services and resources to ensure their needs are met. Highlights from the year included:

Supported a newly arrived family in Red Wing by helping them with school enrollment, immigration support, transportation, and securing basic needs such as housing and employment.
Coordinated a full-ride scholarship for one parent to take a nail technician course.
Secured transportation costs for a parent’s fingerprinting appointment in Denver, resulting in work authorization.
Facilitated a job opportunity for a parent from Venezuela with a special education background, helping them secure a position working with children at a local academy.

By the numbers

19
students graduated from the ILS program in the 2023-2024 school year

406
staff 1:1 support hours

10
community partners/businesses

21
families supported

11
employment supports (translation for interviews)

5
supportive housing accommodations

Event Spotlight: PRIDE

In June 2024, RiseUp Red Wing hosted a community Pride event. This familyfriendly event in downtown Red Wing featured a red carpet walk, games, music, and activities — including tie-dye shirts, tote bag decorating, rock painting, chalking, sand pouring, and much more. Pride also highlighted LGBTQ+ artists and community art around the theme of “Be Bold. Be You!” The event included booths from local organizations and an education resource area with information and resources to support the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

1,400 Attendees

Introducing the Community Youth Council

The Red Wing Community Youth Council (CYC), officially launched in 2024, is a pathway for young leaders to collaborate and advocate to shape our community’s future. The CYC is comprised of community partners and local youth, who came together to design and implement this program. With 24 members meeting weekly for more than 50 hours in working sessions, the CYC's activities have been diverse and impactful.

Some activities so far:

Visited the Minnesota State Capitol and lobbied for policies after working with a lobbyist to develop policy agendas
Granted out $50,000 to community organizations to support initiatives that serve youth
Began the process to develop a Youth Center in Red Wing by touring other youth center sites and leading a community pitch meeting at Red Wing Ignite
Hosted a voter registration drive at River City Days
Met with community leaders, including City of Red Wing staff and Red Wing League of Women Voters
Volunteered at Red Wing Pride and the local farmer’s market
Created a Theory of Change and a set of long-term goals and strategies

“From working together to figure out what bills to support to writing testimony to meeting representatives, our experience working with the State Legislature was empowering.”

— Alyvia, CYC member

CYC Goals & Strategies: 2024 - 2027

Goal 1: Amplify youth voice and involvement in matters across Red Wing community.

1.1: Create opportunities to meet with community leaders to provide youth perspectives on citywide issues.
1.2: Establish The Kiln Youth Center as a safe and supportive community “third space”, designed by and for youth.
1.3: Organize youth voter registration and education opportunities.
1.4: Grant money to community organizations for projects supporting youth.
1.5: Seek youth representation on city and local boards and commissions.

Goal 2: Advocate for policies at a state level.

2.1: Collaborate with a lobbyist to create a Minnesota state legislative policy agenda and provide testimony on bills.
2.2: Participate in Educational Partnerships Coalition Day and Youth Day at the Minnesota State Capitol to advocate for statewide youth and family issues.

Goal 3: Integrate youth voice into the Red Wing Public Schools (RWPS) system.

3.1: Engage in co-design workshops and small groups to foster power-sharing among high school students, faculty, and staff.
3.2: Work collaboratively with the RWPS School Board to revive the student school board member position(s) with full voting rights.

Goal 4: Create clear pathways of communication and expectations for Community Youth Council members that allow all to participate.

4.1: Maintain an updated roster of CYC members.
4.2: Create an accessible list of policies that clarifies CYC’s structure and member roles.
4.3: Hold weekly CYC afterschool “office hours” for members to collaborate on projects and plan.

Goal 5: Build a diverse and sustainable base of youth leaders on the Council.

5.1: Value a diversity of ages, genders, sexualities, socioeconomic statuses, races, ethnicities, and abilities of youth when recruiting members.
5.2: Develop informational document to attract new CYC members.

“I really saw how the Youth Council has changed as more diversity came into the group, helping our goals come into fruition.”

— Jaylen, CYC member

Fostering Shared Action

Partnership Spotlight: HOPE Coalition

HOPE Coalition (HOPE) is a nonprofit organization that provides support to individuals and families experiencing domestic trauma in Goodhue and Wabasha Counties. In April 2024, the RiseUp Red Wing Community Youth Council granted $4,000 to HOPE to fund their second annual Healthy Kids Day, in collaboration with the Red Wing Family YMCA. More than 300 people attended Healthy Kids Day, where participants played games, did arts and crafts, and learned about community resources. HOPE’s planning and implementation of this event aligned with RiseUp Red Wing’s vision:

Every youth has access to opportunities to learn and lead: HOPE’s team of youth interns participated in the planning process of this year’s event. They attended all planning meetings and contributed ideas for youth involvement at the event.

Every youth has the knowledge and resources they need to thrive: Healthy Kids Day featured booths with community resources for youth and parents, including information from Girl Scouts of America; United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha, and Western Pierce County; Red Wing Police and Fire Departments; Bikers Against Child Abuse; Fernbrook Family Center; FamilyWise; and more.

Every youth is respected, included, and seen as a valued member of the community: Youth voice was prioritized in the planning and implementation of Healthy Kids Day. RiseUp Red Wing youth, the Red Wing High School Black Student Union, and the Red Wing High School Gay-Straight Alliance hosted booths at the event.

22 Partners

$46,747.82 regranted to our partners

Youth Leadership in Action

In June 2024, the Red Wing Community Youth Council partnered with the Loop Consulting Collective to participate in a co-design workshop. Twenty-four Red Wing High School students and eight Red Wing Public School staff members came together to build power while engaging in meaningful learning experiences and developing transferable skills. Their purpose was to reimagine and reconstruct education to increase equitable engagement, learning, and collective school ownership. Over the course of the workshop, the Community Youth Council developed a series of goals aligned to the purpose and brainstormed associated actions to help reach those goals. The result was a set of ideas and action steps, collectively generated among teaching staff and students, to help Red Wing Public Schools move toward a more equitable system of education.

“Teachers listened. Sometimes for students, it may be intimidating to talk to adults in the hierarchy we have talked about, but as the workshop progressed, the hierarchy diminished and allowed students to feel heard and in the same position as educators. As a student, I didn’t feel shut down.”

— Student Participant

“I could talk freely to those I don’t know, because this group of people listens and doesn’t judge anyone’s voices. Working with this group of people was revolutionary, because we came up with solutions and addressed issues that needed to be talked about, or else no one would’ve known.”

— Student Participant

Looking Ahead

In the coming year, we’ll continue to support local youth through direct programming and shared action. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Caring, Responsive Programming

Continue working toward establishing a youth center in Red Wing, in collaboration with the Community Youth Council
Expand the Community Youth Council to continue to center youth perspectives
Conduct a needs assessment to determine future programming for youth and families
Introduce a math literacy afterschool program in the middle school with staff and peer mentors undergoing training to effectively teach math concepts

Fostering Shared Action

Collaborate with Goodhue County Education District to expand the partnership across the county
Expand co-design opportunities throughout Goodhue County to increase youth perspectives in decision-making
Assess District needs and provide targeted support in cradle-to-career areas
Increase data literacy, data access, and data-based decision-making in Goodhue County

Financials

Our programming year runs July - June, and our fiscal year runs January - December. In order to better demonstrate financial impact, we are reporting revenue and expenses from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Total Revenue

Total Expenses

Breakdown by Area

Fostering Shared Action:

Regranted to Partners ....................... $46,747.82
Program Expenses ............................ $66,033.75
Personnel and Consultants ............... $202,816.22
Overhead ........................................… $11,553.7

Caring, Responsive Programming:

Assistance to Families ...................... $12,419.86
Program Expenses ............................ $54,053.87
Personnel and Consultants ............... $432,322.04
Overhead ........................................… $49,726.91

Funders / Supporters

Foundations

Businesses

Government Grants

MN Dept of Public Safety (Youth Interventions Program)

MN Dept of Education (IgniteAfterschool and ESSER)

Goodhue County Health and Human Services (STAY in the Community)

State of Minnesota (Education Partnerships Coalition)

Local Grants

United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha, and Pierce Counties

First Lutheran Church

National & State Networks

RiseUp Red Wing is a member of StriveTogether, a national network of nearly 70 partnerships across 29 states and Washington, DC, working to ensure every child has every opportunity to succeed in school and in life. Together, the StriveTogether network reaches more than 14 million young people.