UP™ Program
About The UP™ Program - Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose in Kids
The UP™ (Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose) Program at Kokomo Urban Outreach is a dynamic youth development initiative that equips young people with essential life skills, education and work ethic to become self-reliant adults.
Serving over 300 youth, ages 3 to 18, UP™ provides structured opportunities that teach responsibility, leadership, and work ethic in real-world settings.
How It Works
UP™ participants, ages 10-18, work one evening per week as part of an UP™ Crew. These teams engage in meaningful work within our microbusinesses, learning valuable skills while contributing to the community.
For their efforts, youth earn incentives in the form of points, which can be redeemed for items such as food, hygiene products, clothing, snacks, and gift cards.
Weekly Schedule
Work Nights: One night per week, Monday, Thursday or Friday from 4–6 p.m.
Youth earn 20 points for participating in their assigned job.
Huddle Wednesdays: Weekly group discussion from 4–5 PM
Youth earn 5 points for attending and participating in meaningful conversations about life skills, values, and choices.
Kids Can Participate in:
What UP™ Dough
Youth gain experience in baking and small business operations by making and selling cookies, noodles, and other baked goods.
From the Ground UP™ Urban Farm
Participants develop agricultural knowledge and responsibility by growing fresh produce for our community in our on-site garden.
UP™ Keep & Spruce UP™ Specialist
These crews work in the community providing landscaping and maintenance services such as raking leaves, laying mulch, planting flowers, and cleaning out first-floor gutters.
Build UP™ Fabrication
In our workshop, youth learn trade and carpentry skills by designing and creating items like planters, benches, and custom woodworking projects.
UP™ Creations
Young entrepreneurs craft seasonal wreaths, door swags, custom shirts, and more. They learn pricing, customer service, and product development as they sell their creations to the public.
Hand UP™
Hand UP™ is a branch of the UP™ Program at Kokomo Urban Outreach, designed specifically to support youth with special needs. This initiative creates opportunities for hands-on job training in partnership with Goodwill on Markland Avenue in Kokomo.
Want to support or learn more? Contact us at 765-457-1983 or visit us in person at 1701 S. Locke St., Kokomo, IN 46901.
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 skills they need to succeed.
Join us in Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose in the next generation!
Contact Us!
You may schedule an UP™ crew by calling 765-457-1983. The cost to you is a donation. Thank you for giving an UP™ Kid an opportunity to work.
What We Do
In the winter when it is too cold to work outside, we offer the UP™ kids lifeskill classes. Classes range from cooking, furniture making, bike repair and a whole host of other offerings. Most of the items made in the classes will be sold. Watch social media for items to come up for sale.