Impact Report
2024 - 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The past year has been a time of exciting change for our organization. We’ve embarked on a new partnership with the Goodhue County Education District (GCED), which has allowed us to extend our impact to youth across Goodhue County. We’ve expanded our programmatic offerings and our partnerships with local organizations, and grown our staff accordingly. We’ve intentionally sought out and created opportunities for authentic youth leadership through advocacy and youth-led community engagement. Our growing impact and the ever-increasing scope of our work is reflected in our new name: RiseUp Partnership.

Our impact is the direct result of the commitment of our partners, donors, and vounteers, and partnerships are more critical now than ever before. In the face of the challenges and changes, our community has shown time and again over the past year that we are stronger together, that our diversity is a strength, and that we have the power to make Goodhue County a place where all young people can thrive. Partnership is at the core of our mission and the work we do, and we are profoundly grateful for the energy, advocacy, and support from our community partners.

In this report, you’ll read more about the impact that our programming had on the youth of Goodhue County, and the adults who care for them. You will see examples of youth leadership in action, of community partnership, and of authentic connection. You’ll hear directly from the people who are closest to the work we do, and you’ll have an opportunity to preview what’s to come as we continue to grow.

We are honored to work alongside so many dedicated partners in this work. Thank you for your continued support and for playing a critical role in helping to build a Goodhue County where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

In partnership,

Mandy Arden
Executive Director
RiseUp Partnership

About RiseUp Partnership

Mission

We are on a mission to ensure Goodhue County offers abundant opportunities for all young people to unleash their potential. We serve youth and families through caring, responsive programming, and we foster shared action among partners committed to supporting youth.

Vision

We envision a safe, vibrant Goodhue County for all: Every young person has access to opportunities that help them reach their goals, youth and families are recognized as collaborators and leaders, and all Goodhue County youth and community members feel valued, included, and empowered.

Theory of Change

Programming for Families

RiseUp Partnership provides support to families across Goodhue County by connecting them with essential services and resources to ensure their needs are met. Our staff Family Navigator serves as the point of contact for families, supporting them through every step of their interaction with our organization. All of our family services are offered in both Spanish and English. In 2025, RiseUp Partnership provided over 500 hours of support to 42 families.

In 2024-2025, RiseUp Partnership:

Supported families with transportation, appointments, health insurance, and benefits
Referred families to Goodhue County’s Parent Support Outreach Program, helping them access critical resources
Assisted a youth with part of a $600 housing deposit
Helped a mother make an initial car insurance payment to receive a donated car from another organization
Provided financial support to a mother after her ex-partner left the country, helping her cover her electricity bill while she arranged legal support for divorce

By the numbers

42
families served

257
referrals provided

8
families receiving financial assistance

18
emergency assists

$3,609

Estimated $ value of assistance provided

528
Total hours of assistance provided

Families

100%
feel more confident in seeking out resources

100%
report improved family stability after an interaction with the Family Navigator

100%
feel supported by the Family Navigator

100%
are likely to recommend the program to others

Parent Advisory Cohort

During the 2024-2025 school year, RiseUp Partnership facilitated its first Parent Advisory Cohort (PAC). The PAC creates an environment where parents and caregivers can work together to grow as self-advocates and create opportunities to generate real change in the community, grounded in their lived experiences as residents and family members of youth in Goodhue County. The 11 founding PAC members met for six sessions, focused on creating solutions and policy suggestions for the issues and barriers they identified as most pressing to families in Goodhue County, including finances, education, and transportation.

“I joined the PAC because I wanted to get more involved in my community and support my daughter, who was receiving services through her school. I was also looking for a way to connect with other parents and learn how to be a stronger advocate. PAC helped me step out of my shell and become more socially active in my community. It showed me that leadership doesn’t have to be loud – it can grow through connection, learning, and working together for change. It’s made a big difference for both me and my family.” — Eugenie (Genie) Brown

“I joined PAC because I wanted to meet other parents and families in the community who hope to make a change. PAC was a great program to get to know and learn about families and different opportunities within the community. We also learned about barriers that many of us face and how to overcome them.” — Marilyn Beamon

“Joining PAC gave our family a place where we could have our voices heard and feel as though we belong. Participating in this group made us more aware people and built stronger relationships between us and our peers.” — Marvin & Angela Bradford

Programming for Youth

RiseUp Partnership supports youth across Goodhue County through a variety of programs designed to foster strong relationships, build skills, and create safe spaces for growth. Our services include one-on-one and group mentoring, afterschool enrichment, and in-school supports delivered in partnership with the Goodhue County Education District (GCED) and Red Wing Public Schools. At The Kiln – our dedicated afterschool location – youth connect with mentors, receive homework help, build leadership skills, and enjoy a safe “third space” where they can relax, socialize, and belong. Together, these programs ensure that young people have access to consistent guidance, academic and social-emotional support, and opportunities to thrive both inside and outside of school.

165
youth served

6,627
total programming hours

252
hours of mental health support/crisis intervention

655
hours of tutoring and/or homework help

96%
of youth report that there are at least three adults in their school, neighborhood, or community who know them well and who they can rely on for advice and guidance.

79%
of youth feel more confident in handling difficult situations because of what they learned in our programming.

Rising Together

RiseUp Partnership was proud to partner with the University of Minnesota to offer Rising Together, a program for youth focusing on building social and emotional management skills. Sessions ran weekly for eight weeks, and RiseUp Partnership helped to facilitate both fall 2024 and spring 2025 sessions.

13 youth participated in the program, alongside five adult mentors and two peer mentors. Youth participants reported decreased levels of loneliness, depression, and anxiety at the end of the program. They also reported increased life satisfaction and improved social relationships.

“The staff here just really makes me feel safe. I always feel like nothing wrong can happen. This place is just an amazing example of a safe area.”

— Student participant

Trusted, Caring Adults:

Mentorship in Action

Who They Are

Logan (they/them/he/him): “I’m a 16-year-old gay demiboy. I like to sit in the rain. I like foxes and skulls. I like being fashionable. And I like playing video games and doing art.”

Cal (they/them/he/him): “I’m a 26-year-old transmasculine LGBTQIA+ adult. I enjoy hiking with my dog and going to the gym. I like nature, coffee, art, gardening, and spending time with my loved ones.”

The Mentor-Mentee Connection

Logan and Cal first met through the RiseUp Partnership mentor program two years ago, when Logan was in 9th grade.

During afterschool sessions, Logan and Cal focused on life skills, goal-setting, connection, and fun. Under Cal’s mentorship, Logan learned how to make pasta from scratch, nurtured their passion for art by creating paintings and collages, and set goals related to their social life and mental and physical wellness. They also increased their social connections with same-age peers, enhanced their communication skills, and practiced self-advocacy.

The Impact

For both Cal and Logan, the impact of the mentoring relationship has been profound. Logan feels less alone, and understands that there is a trusted, caring adult they can talk to about the complex experience of growing up LGBTQIA+ in a small town. For Cal, he now understands the power of consistency – of showing up, being real, and caring genuinely for the well-being, growth, and lived experience of the younger generation.

“I want the world to be a place where Logan can thrive and not just survive. I want them to know how wonderful, amazing, talented, insightful, and powerful they are. RiseUp gives us the needed space, acceptance, and support to keep working toward that world and toward Logan’s recognition of their inherent worth and undeniable strength."

— Cal, Mentor

Youth Leadership

RiseUp Partnership’s Community Youth Council (CYC) is a pathway for young leaders in Goodhue County to collaborate and advocate to shape the community’s future. This year, the 12 CYC members contributed more than 170 hours of service through meetings, volunteering, and community engagement.

In 2024-2025, the Community Youth Council’s influence was felt in every corner of Goodhue County:

Leadership & Advocacy

Participated in the hiring process for afterschool programming staff
Gave a Youth Community Needs presentation to 25 community partners
Advocated at the state and local level, including:
Participating in EPC (Education Partnerships Coalition) Day on the Hill, meeting with local elected representatives
Participated in an educational co-design training to learn how to implement co-design principles in an educational setting
Meeting with the City of Red Wing Mayor and Community Engagement Specialist

Community Engagement & Outreach

Volunteered at community events, including the Sheldon Theater, Potter Ridge Senior Living, Trunk or Treat, Holiday Stroll, Healthy Kids Day,Red Wing Pride, and Juneteenth
Co-hosted the first RiseUp Partnership Battle of the Badges event in August 2024
Attended the LGBTQIA+ volunteer fair in Minneapolis
Tabled at Red Wing High School conferences and lunches to connect with other youth

Youth Spaces & Opportunities

Expanded and decorated The Kiln to better serve youth needs
Partnered with Workforce Development Inc. to launch a six-week career readiness workshop

"I have had such a great experience with CYC and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I get. So far my favorite event with RiseUp Partnership was Healthy Kids Day, because the kids really enjoyed our plinko board and everything went smoothly!"

— Abby, CYC member

Youth Leadership in Action

Youth on Boards Presentation

In April 2025, the Community Youth Council presented Youth on Boards: Bridging the Generations to the Board of Directors at four Goodhue County partner organizations. Opportunities for authentic youth leadership are critical to helping the young people of Goodhue County feel connected to their communities. This presentation highlighted the importance of youth representation on local boards and commissions, with the goal of increasing the number of youth who serve on non-profit and government boards across the county. The CYC is committed to helping adults prepare to include youth representation in the coming years.

Key Points from Presentation:

Giving youth a voice helps them better understand how their community works and fosters civic engagement as they get older.
Adults in leadership positions understand which issues are most important to youth, and are able to prioritize more effectively.
Giving youth a permanent seat at the table shows them that they matter, and helps them view themselves as future community leaders.

2024-2025 AmeriCorps Fellows

RiseUp Partnership was proud to welcome four AmeriCorps Fellows during the 2024–2025 school year, creating new opportunities for authentic youth leadership in Goodhue County. Two AmeriCorps Promise Fellows provided mentoring and academic support to middle school students, helping them stay engaged and on track. At the same time, two AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellows strengthened RiseUp’s capacity by working alongside the Community Youth Council (CYC) to expand opportunities for young people to lead and shape their community.

Madison Ward - Promise Fellow
Twin Bluff Middle School support staff, grades 6-7

Alyvia Xiong - Groundwork Fellow
Community Youth Council Coordinator Advocate for youth on boards

Reghan Prall - Promise Fellow
Twin Bluff Middle School support staff, grades 6-7

Payten Jaynes - Groundwork Fellow
Advocate for youth on boards

Place-Based Collaboration:

Partnering with Goodhue County Education District & Goodhue County Child and Family Collaborative

In July 2024, RiseUp Partnership formally launched a countywide place-based collaboration with the Goodhue County Education District (GCED). This expansion built on our local partnerships and extended collaborative efforts across all of Goodhue County. Through this partnership, RiseUp and GCED share one staff member and are building capacity together to scale successful initiatives from each community so they can be adapted and shared countywide.

In March 2025, RiseUp and GCED joined with the Goodhue County Child & Family Collaborative (GCCFC) to begin discussions about how their educational and community health missions align. Members of the three groups came together to explore how countywide challenges could be addressed more effectively through shared strategies.

By streamlining efforts and combining resources, members of the three groups are working to maximize their collective impact for youth and families across Goodhue County.

Nearly 60 participants, representing members of the three groups, worked toward shared goals:

Clarify how RiseUp, GCED, and GCCFC align in purpose and strategy
Review a proposed unified structure to support collective goals
Define roles and responsibilities within the collaboration

Together, members of the three groups also identified key priorities:

Establish a clear structure for collaboration
Increase representation and inclusion among members
Strengthen communication across groups
Build capacity through shared efforts
Advocate for sustainable practices that ensure long-term impact

The collective efforts of RiseUp, GCED, and GCCFC are creating stronger systems of support than ever before. By sharing what works across all communities, this partnership is helping to develop a local-to-national ecosystem that drives increased youth engagement in leadership, school, and community initiatives, stronger family stability, and more equitable opportunities for young people.

Mutually Supportive Civic Infrastructure

Events: Partnership in Action

Battle of the Badges

RiseUp Partnership’s Youth Marketing team held the first Battle of the Badges in August 2024, an event that raised more than $4,000 to support our programming. Battle of the Badges featured a softball game between local police officers and firefighters/EMTs. Pre-game activities included a dunk tank, exploring first responder vehicles, racing on exercise bikes, and flag decorating. We are looking forward to making this an annual event.

Pride

Red Wing Pride 2025 was a vibrant celebration of inclusion, visibility, and community pride, bringing together over 1,300 youth, families, and allies from across Goodhue County. Pride was hosted in June by ASPIRE (Authentic Student Pride through Individuality, Respect, and Education), a RiseUp Partnership program, in collaboration with local partners. The event featured a crowd-favorite red carpet strut, along with performances, storytelling booths, interactive art, and educational resources that uplifted LGBTQIA+ voices and experiences. Hosting Pride exemplifies our commitment to building safe, affirming spaces where all young people can thrive.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth 2025, organized by the Red Wing High School Black Student Union, brought the community together in a powerful celebration of Black history, resilience, and joy. With a focus on community connection and promoting cultural knowledge, healing, and solidarity, the event featured a history talk, a basketball tournament at the YMCA, and a celebration at Central Park where neighbors, elders, and youth gathered to connect and honor the lived experiences of Black residents in Goodhue County. More than a celebration, the gathering reaffirmed our collective commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future together as a community. RiseUp Partnership was honored to help host the event and serve as the fiscal sponsor.

Looking Ahead

In the coming year, we’ll continue to support youth across Goodhue County through direct programming and shared action. Here’s a look at what’s ahead:

Caring, Responsive Programming

In the coming year, direct services will include:

Student support services at Twin Bluff Middle School and Tower View Alternative School, including emotional, academic, and system navigation support, crisis intervention, and substance use prevention support
Afterschool programming at The Kiln, including one-on-one and peer mentoring, independent living skills training, tutoring, daily meals and cooking lessons, and substance use prevention and intervention support
Rising Together will offer four cohorts over the course of the school year, both during the school day and during afterschool programming at The Kiln
Community Youth Council will expand The Kiln and strengthen youth advocacy across city, county, and state levels
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) will launch a new PAC cohort, co-led by former parent participants

Fostering Shared Action

Together with our community partners, we will:

Integrate restorative practices into all of our youth services through the 2025 Restorative Practice Initiative Grant, in partnership with Goodhue County Court Services
Continue developing work groups in the areas of adverse/positive childhood experience training, access to out-of-school time, youth health and education podcast, truancy, and youth on boards
Support GCED’s reading center
Develop leadership capacity through the Courageous School and District Leadership program

2025-2026 AmeriCorps Fellows

RiseUp Partnership will welcome seven AmeriCorps Fellows for the 2025-2026 school year. This includes three AmeriCorps Promise Fellows, whose role is to support and mentor students in grades 6-12, and four AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellows, who will work to build RiseUp's capacity to serve even more youth, and in more diverse ways.

Promise Fellows

Pablo Bravo, Lexy Howard, Madison Ward

Groundwork Fellows

Olivia Mercado, Natalie Nordenskjold, Reghan Prall, Alyvia Xiong

Financials

Our programming year runs July - June, and our fiscal year runs from January - December. In order to better demonstrate financial impact, we are reporting revenue and expenses from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Total Revenue

Total Expenses

Funders / Supporters

Foundations

Businesses

Government Grants

MN Dept of Public Safety
(Youth Interventions Program, Community Crime Interventions Program)

MAVA Student Success Grant

MN Dept of Education
(Education Partnerships Coalition, Service Learning, IgniteAfterschool, ESSER)

Goodhue County
Health and Human Services

Local Grants

First Lutheran Church

United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha, and Pierce Counties

State & National Networks

RiseUp Partnership is a member of StriveTogether, a national network of approximately 70 partnerships across 29 states, working to ensure every child has every opportunity to succeed in school and in life. Together, the StriveTogether network reaches more than 14 million young people.