The UP™ Program - Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose in Kids

At Kokomo Urban Outreach, we believe every young person deserves the tools and confidence to build a successful future.
The UP™ Program equips youth with the life skills, education, and work ethic needed to become self-reliant adults who contribute meaningfully to their community.

Empowering Youth to Grow and Thrive

Serving more than 300 youth ages 3–18, the UP™ Program provides structured, hands-on opportunities that teach responsibility, leadership, and work ethic through real-world experiences.

How It Works

Youth ages 10–18 work one evening per week as part of an UP™ Crew, engaging in meaningful, community-focused jobs that match their abilities and interests.
Instead of receiving handouts, participants earn points for their work — points that can be redeemed in the UP™ Store for food, clothing, hygiene items, snacks, and gift cards.

At UP™, kids don’t just receive support — they earn it.

Through consistent work and mentorship, participants learn discipline, teamwork, and accountability while discovering their potential.

Our Work Initiatives

What UP™ Dough

Youth gain hands-on experience in baking and small-business operations by making and selling cookies, noodles, and other baked goods. They learn teamwork, quality control, customer service, and basic entrepreneurship.

From the Ground UP™ Urban Farm

Participants develop agricultural knowledge and responsibility by growing fresh produce in our on-site gardens — learning the value of hard work, nutrition, and giving back to their community.

UP™ Keep & Spruce UP™ Specialist

These crews provide landscaping and maintenance services such as raking leaves, planting flowers, trimming, laying mulch, cleaning first-floor gutters, and maintaining the Kokomo Urban Outreach property. They gain practical skills while serving neighbors in need.

Build UP™ Fabrication

Inside our workshop, youth learn trade and carpentry skills by designing and building planters, benches, and custom woodworking projects. Each project teaches craftsmanship, safety, and problem-solving.

UP™ Creations

Our young entrepreneurs create and sell seasonal wreaths, door swags, custom shirts, and more. Through product design, pricing, and customer service, they develop business insight and creative confidence.

Hand UP™

This branch of the UP™ Program supports youth with special needs through hands-on job training and mentorship. In partnership with Goodwill on Markland Avenue, participants gain valuable work experience in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Power UP™ Robotics

Led by our robotics mentor, students explore the exciting world of robotics, coding, electronics, and AI-assisted programming. This initiative opens doors to future careers in STEM and nurtures problem-solving and innovation.

Join Us

At UP™, we don’t just prepare kids for their first job — we prepare them for life.
By instilling work ethic, education, and life skills, we help young people develop the confidence and character they need to succeed.

Contact us: 765-457-1983
Visit us: 1701 S. Locke St., Kokomo, IN 46901

Join us in Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose in the next generation.