Twin Cities RISE!

Twin Cities RISE! (TCR!) provides work skills training to people in poverty, leading to long-term success in a living wage career with benefits. The Core Program includes more than 30 courses in educational, vocational, and personal empowerment skills. Each session is ten weeks long and includes a two-week period of formal evaluation. Training covers computer skills, communication, and other skills essential to successful job functioning. One-on-one coaching is a key component of the program, and follows participants through their first year of employment after completing training. In addition to hiring graduates of the Core Program, community employers can utilize the support of interns currently going through the program at no cost. TCR! also runs an external training program, Empowerment Institute, that provides on-site training to companies, non-profits, and schools with an emphasis on personal confidence and responsibility.

The mission of Twin Cities RISE! is to provide employers with skilled workers - primarily men from communities of color in the Twin Cities area - by training under and unemployed adults for skilled jobs that pay a living wage of at least $20,000 annually.

For every $1 invested in the programs of Twin Cities RISE! by the State of Minnesota, $7.71 were returned to taxpayers from increased tax receipts, reduced state subsidies and reduced recidivism among program graduates, amounting to a 671% return. Participants increased their annual income by an average of 355% to $26,788 plus benefits, compared to $5,889 pre-program. Among TCR! graduates, 81% remain in their job after one year, and 70% remain after two years.