UP™ Program
About The UP™ Program
Unleashing Potential, Passion, and Purpose in Kids
The UP™ (Unleashing Potential) Program at Kokomo Urban Outreach is a dynamic youth development initiative that equips young people with essential life skills, hands-on job experience, and financial literacy. 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 from 4-6 PM 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 necessities such as food, hygiene products, clothing, snacks, and gift cards.
Younger children, ages 3-9, participate in MiniUP™, which introduces them to the program’s core values—the Four R’s of the UP™ Creed:
✔ Respectful
✔ Responsible
✔ Reliable
✔ Ready
Through structured activities, MiniUP™ fosters early work ethic, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a fun and supportive environment.
UP™ Microbusinesses
Our microbusiness initiatives give UP™ youth hands-on work experience in various fields, teaching them industry-specific skills while reinforcing responsibility and teamwork. These include:
🔹 What UP™ Dough – Youth learn baking and business operations while making and selling cookies and noodles.
🔹 From the Ground UP™ Urban Farm – Participants gain agricultural skills, growing fresh produce for the community.
🔹 UP™ Keep and Spruce UP™ Specialist – Teams provide landscaping and property maintenance services, including weeding, mulching, gutter cleaning, and yard work.
🔹 Operation Stand UP™ – A prevention-based initiative focused on leadership, positive decision-making, and personal development.
By working in these microbusinesses, youth develop real-world job skills, financial literacy, and a sense of responsibility while actively contributing to their community.
Building a Stronger Future
At UP™, we don’t just prepare kids for their first job—we prepare them for life. By instilling work ethic, leadership, and accountability, the UP™ Program helps 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.