The mission of Kokomo Urban Outreach is to provide young people with the skills needed to become successful adults. Its UP program mentors participants aged 3 to 18 by instilling values, developing work and life skills, as well as imparting the importance of education. Goals for graduating students exiting the UP program include trade school, college, the military or a job.
Kokomo Urban Outreach has existed for almost 20 years, but for its first 10 years it operated as a food pantry and clothing giveaway. Today its programing focuses on educating youths for a lifetime of success. The shift came after Executive Director Jeff Newton had an awakening.
“I saw teenagers with babies coming in and asking for what we could give them, because their parents had done that,” he says. “The realization hit me that people in poverty are treading in water, and we keep throwing them things to keep them in the water. It’s like a whirlpool; it’s difficult to pull adults out because that is what they are accustomed to. Instead of getting them through, we need to help them get out. Children are not in the water in the beginning, but later get sucked in. What is up the stream and pulling them in? I was influenced by the book ‘Toxic Charity’ by Robert D. Lupton and did a lot of reading about education. I spoke to many people about mentoring. We gradually stopped all our giveaways over a three-year period.”
In 2016, with the help of Deanna Ancil, a preliminary program known as ManUP began. It focused on educating boys on what a real man is – not one who is disrespectful of women and authority, or makes easy money selling drugs.
“I lived across from a middle school so it seemed a logical place to start,” says Newton. “Of the first three boys I recruited, one was shot and killed. Another one who was 14 years old came in crying because his girlfriend had a miscarriage.”
Soon, StepUP for girls was added. In 2018 MiniUP for children aged 3 to 9 was formed. Although the same life skills and core values were taught, genders were kept separate for older students until COVID, when the two merged into the UP program of today.
“UP stands for unleashing potential, passion and purpose,” says Newton. “At the present time we are serving 300 boys and girls. The MiniUp Program for 3- to 9-year-olds focuses the values of respect, responsibility, reliability and readiness taught in the book ‘Talking Toolbox’. The regular UP program is for those aged 10 to 18.
“Huddle is held each Wednesday for the regular UP program,” Newton adds. “It is led by Director Kareen Dunn. Kareen is a community leader who has served prison time. After huddle there is free time to visit the gym, game room and recording studio. Points earned in the program can be used to buy food, hygiene items or gift cards. This enables a sense of empowerment and helps them learn budgeting. There is a three-legged stool needed by age 18 to take care of yourself: work ethic, life skills and educational goals.”
The UP program develops work ethic by providing after-school work opportunities twice a week. Spruce UP Specialists pull weeds, do yard cleanups, and handle many other outdoor projects such as planting. Participants in UP Creations Powered by Kids make home decor items such as wreaths, which they sell at farmers markets and craft shows.
The BuildUP Fabrication Center constructs folding chairs and book cases, and also uses a 3D printer to make items like dog show trophies, which are sold. From the GroundUP Urban Farm grows vegetables ordered by Yolk Social Table restaurant. WhatUP Dough Cookie produces goodies sold at Gravity Trampoline Park. HandUP is an intern program for special-needs students who work at Goodwill.
In the winter, life-skills classes are held. The first one, Life Skills 101, is eight weeks long and includes laundry lessons, menu making, as well as cooking and food safety. Students are given $20 to buy ingredients, and whoever makes the best-tasting food wins a prize. Other life-skill classes teach home repairs and first aid. Adulting 401 is for 17- and 18-year-olds. Subjects covered include how to buy a car, read a lease and purchase insurance.
Every parent gives UP staff permission to check their child’s grades and interact with the school. If an UP student gets in trouble, Dunn is called. If suspended, the child does community service with Dunn.
“The program has been successful,” says Newton. “The first year, 60% served time in juvenile detention and 12% graduated. This past year, only 10% were in juvenile detention and 100% graduated. The cost of UP is $2,000 per child, which pays for staff, insurance, overhead and tutors. Juvenile detention costs $2,000 for 10 days and prison costs $2,000 for two months.”
UP relies on donations and grants to keep its programs running. An annual fundraiser, Empty Bowl, will be held the second Friday in March. A lunch or dinner of soup, salad and a cookie will be served, and fire-glazed bowls crafted by UP participants are available for a donation. Bigger bowls made by notable locals will be auctioned off in the evening.
Newton feels that more kids need to be involved in the program to combat poverty. He is hopeful that plans to acquire a second, larger building will allow 600 to 700 children to participate.
“I want to say thank-you to the Kokomo community for their support,” says Newton. “Kids’ lives are being changed. They have a better chance at being successful and self-reliant. We are preventing drug addiction and homelessness. By 2040 whatever these kids learn from UP will be what they teach their own kids.”
Kokomo Urban Outreach is located at 1701 South Locke Street. For more info, email urban.outreach@gmail.com, call 765-457-1983 or go to kokomourbanoutreach.org. Also visit them on Facebook.
