Impact Report
2024 - 2025

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The past year has tested our community in ways we could not have imagined – and has reminded us once again of our community's resilience and the importance of standing together. Across Goodhue County, we’ve watched youth, families, neighbors, and businesses continue to show up for one another with courage and compassion.

At RiseUp Partnership, we stand firm in our belief that every young person – and every family – deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported in our community. The ICE enforcement actions of early 2026 were devastating for Goodhue County. During this difficult time, community members and local organizations sprang into action, offering resources, support, advocacy, and connection. RiseUp Partnership was one of many partners coordinating legal and financial assistance for impacted families and academic support for students forced to miss school. None of this would have been possible without the commitment and leadership of the people closest to the work: the youth and families that we are proud to serve.

Sharing power with youth means creating opportunities for them to help shape the decisions, systems, and structures that affect their lives. This year, we continued to invest in youth leadership and worked to strengthen family voice and build new partnerships within Goodhue County. At RiseUp Partnership, youth are no longer simply the recipients of support. They are becoming the agents of change.

In this Impact Report, you’ll read more about our youth leaders advocating for their community, of partnership across many sectors, and of authentic connection through mentorship. Youth empowerment is more than providing resources. We are working to create the conditions in which youth can recognize their innate power and act on it.

The challenges facing Goodhue County are significant, and the work ahead will require courage and collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our partners, donors, volunteers, advocates, and community members who stand with us, who believe in the power of community, and who share our vision of a Goodhue County where every young person can 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

Meeting families where they are allows RiseUp Partnership to provide personalized support and connections to essential services and resources. Our Family Navigator walks alongside families to ensure their needs are being met and supports families across Goodhue County through referrals, case management, and direct financial assistance. All of our family services are offered in both Spanish and English, and RiseUp Partnership provided almost 300 hours of support to 38 families.

In 2025–2026, RiseUp Partnership:

Supported families with referrals and case management, direct financial assistance, and transportation
Referred families to Goodhue County’s Parent Support Outreach Program, helping them access critical resources
Provided $500 in emergency rental assistance to a family after an unexpected job loss
Delivered $600 in emergency assistance for rent and utilities to support a mother with a newborn who was ineligible for other forms of assistance due to immigration status
Helped to secure legal representation for a mother navigating immigration court, allowing her to access the legal support she needed to remain with her children in the United States
Supported a young woman caring for her siblings after her father was detained by ICE, helping her stay on track to complete a phlebotomy certification

By the numbers

38
families served

$4,852.75

Estimated value of assistance provided

289
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

In its second year, the RiseUp Partnership Parent Advocate Cohort (PAC) brought together 10 families from across Goodhue County for six sessions. Parents and caregivers met throughout the year to discuss a wide range of community needs, including housing, employment, healthcare, transportation, and education, guided by their own lived experiences. They ultimately identified childcare as the most pressing issue facing families in the community.

PAC members were clear that families need a wider range of childcare options, including affordable programs with early and late hours that align with nontraditional work shifts and drop-in options for unpredictable schedules. For many families in Goodhue County, limited childcare options directly impact parents’ ability to maintain secure employment and provide stability to their households.

PAC members determined that solutions to these childcare issues can come from a variety of sources: family, community members, employers, nonprofit partners, and city and state governments. The PAC committed to building more community cohorts, advocating to local and state government officials, and continuing the momentum through the creation of a shared action calendar.

“Mi nombre es Mariarvis. La experiencia que me dejó el PAC fue muy valiosa. Este programa también ha significado mucho para mi familia. Todo lo que aprendí me da más confianza para defender nuestros derechos, tomar mejores decisiones y buscar un mejor futuro para mis hijos. Ahora siento que tengo más herramientas para ayudar a mi familia y para enseñarles a otras personas que, aunque lleguemos a un país nuevo con miedo o sin conocer el idioma, no estamos solos y siempre hay personas y programas dispuestos a apoyarnos.”

“My name is Mariarvis. The experience I gained from the PAC was invaluable. This program has also meant a lot to my family. Everything I learned gives me more confidence to defend our rights, make better decisions, and seek a better future for my children. Now I feel I have more tools to help my family and to teach others that, even if we arrive in a new country afraid or without knowing the language, we are not alone and there are always people and programs willing to support us.”

Programming for Youth

RiseUp Partnership supports youth across Goodhue County through a network of programs rooted in the belief that with the right support, every young person can thrive. Our programming includes one-on-one and group mentoring, afterschool enrichment, and in-school support delivered in partnership with Goodhue County Education District (GCED) and Red Wing Public Schools. Our services are designed to provide guidance and academic support and to foster strong relationships, build skills, and create safe spaces for growth. At The Kiln – our dedicated afterschool location – youth connect with mentors, take cooking classes, receive homework help, build leadership skills, and enjoy a safe “third space” where they can relax, socialize, and belong. RiseUp Partnership’s programming helps ensure that our youth thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

203
youth served

28.93
programming hours per student

5,873.13
total programming hours

2,162
hours of tutoring and/or homework help

89.3%
of youth reported having at least three trusted adults outside home they can rely on for support, advice, or guidance

85.7%
agreed or strongly agreed they feel safe being themselves during programming

85.7%
said they feel more confident handling difficult situations because of what they've learned at RiseUp Partnership

164
hours of mental health support/crisis intervention

“RiseUp Partnership has helped me become a stronger leader and improve my communication skills by encouraging me to talk and collaborate with others in ways I never have before, all while feeling comfortable because everyone is so loving and supportive.”

— Lexi

Trusted, Caring Adults

Mentorship in Action

Who They Are

Zoey (she/her): Rising 7th grader

Alyvia (she/her): RiseUp Partnership mentor and Summer Program supervisor

The Mentor-Mentee Connection

Zoey and Alyvia first met through RiseUp Partnership’s afterschool program. Zoey, then in 6th grade, was struggling at home, and her daily check-ins with Alyvia provided stability and helped her find her footing during a tumultuous time.

With Alyvia’s support, Zoey has found a sense of belonging and companionship at The Kiln. They spend time talking through Zoey’s experiences, setting goals, and carving out moments to have fun. Their relationship continued into RiseUp Partnership summer programming, where Zoey never missed an opportunity to spend time with her mentor. Zoey’s humor and curiosity helped her to build a deep relationship with Alyvia, who was constantly impressed with Zoey’s determination and resilience in the face of challenges.

The Impact

The consistency and support of the mentoring relationship had a fundamental impact on Zoey. Her connection to Alyvia and to RiseUp Partnership offered her stability during a trying time in her life. Regular check-ins and opportunities for connection gave Zoey a reason to continue showing up, and the strength of her relationship with Alyvia solidified her sense of belonging in RiseUp Partnership programming.

“Zoey has been through a lot, but she keeps showing up, keeps trying, and keeps being herself. That's something really special.” - Alyvia

“No matter what I had going on, I was able to talk with Alyvia, and I left feeling better about everything. I was always excited about coming.“ - Zoey

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, nine CYC members contributed more than 330 hours of service through meetings, volunteering, and community engagement.

In 2025–2026, the Community Youth Council used their voices to generate real change in Goodhue County:

Advocacy and Leadership:

Participated in Education Partnerships Coalition (EPC) Day on the Hill, where they met with local elected representatives at the Minnesota State Capitol
Led the performance review for RiseUp Partnership’s Executive Director
Participated in the hiring process for afterschool programming staff
Co-created the Youth on Boards initiative and supported recruitment for open Board positions

Community Engagement and Volunteering:

Volunteered at community events, including Pride, Juneteenth, Healthy Kids Day, and Salsalicious
Planned and coordinated River City Days, including the event setup and all activities
Delivered a speech to attendees at Battle of the Badges 2025 promoting RiseUp Partnership’s programming
Volunteered at the School + Hygiene Supply Giveaway with Red Wing Elks 845
Spoke at the 2025 Giving Spoon Gathering
Hosted a table and distributed hot chocolate at the 2025 Holiday Stroll
Hosted a weekly table at Red Wing High School to hear directly from students about their needs
Attended the skills work job fair at Red Wing Shoe Company

Being a part of the Community Youth Council has shown me that young people don't just deserve to be heard, but they deserve to be listened to. It has given me opportunities to make a real difference in my community while using my voice to help others find theirs.

— Abby, CYC member

Youth Leadership in Action

For Youth, By Youth: Health Education Podcast

This year, RiseUp Partnership helped to launch a youth-led health education podcast in Goodhue County. Youth took the lead, recruiting and interviewing local health professionals, soliciting topic ideas from students, and planning each episode.

Topics included healthy and affordable food options, preventing sexual and domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse and addiction, and eating disorders and included interviews with representatives from organizations such as Goodhue County Health and Human Services, HOPE Coalition, and Common Ground. All podcast episodes will air on Spotify in fall 2026.

2025–2026 AmeriCorps Fellows

RiseUp Partnership was proud to welcome eight AmeriCorps Fellows during the 2025–2026 school year. The Groundwork and Promise Fellows provided academic support to middle and high school students, helped to coordinate events, and worked alongside the Community Youth Council (CYC) to create new opportunities for youth leadership. Our Recovery Corps member helped implement restorative practices with middle and high school students at The Kiln, which are conflict resolution strategies that seek to repair harm instead of relying on punishment.

Alyvia Xiong
AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellow
Community Youth Council Coordinator

Reghan Prall
AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellow
Youth Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator

Olivia Mercado
AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellow
Youth Voice and Cultural Events Coordinator

Natalie Nordenskjold
AmeriCorps Groundwork Fellow
Youth Donor Engagement Specialist

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

Pablo Bravo
AmeriCorps Promise Fellow
Twin Bluff Middle School/Afterschool (5th-12th grade)

Lexy Howard
AmeriCorps Promise Fellow
Afterschool Program, The Kiln (5th-12th grade)

Patrick Langbein
AmeriCorps Recovery Corps
Recovery Navigator and Restorative Practices Advisory Committee, The Kiln (5th-12th grade)

Place-Based Collaboration:

The Partnership for Children, Youth and Families of Goodhue County

Three Goodhue County cross-sector teams (RiseUp Partnership, The Child & Family Collaborative, and Goodhue County Education District) formally joined into one shared structure in October 2025, called the Partnership for Children, Youth and Families of Goodhue County.

Their mission is to break down barriers and build strong families, healthy children, and thriving youth through partnership and shared action. The Partnership brings together school districts, social service providers, public health officials, corrections officers, community nonprofits, and mental health providers committed to working on complex issues that affect children and families.

During its first year, the Partnership included:

27 people serving on the Partnership's governance
54 Partnership workgroup participants
25+ organizations
7 school districts
12 youth involved in planning around youth voice and leadership

Work Across the Partnership

Youth Voice and Leadership: In March, the Youth on Boards workgroup identified opportunities for young people to have a formal role in local decision-making on four advisory boards.
Restorative Practices Advisory Committee (RPAC): This committee is a collaboration between schools, Goodhue County Court Services, and RiseUp Partnership to address truancy and criminal behavior through restorative practices.
Red Hispana de Goodhue County (Goodhue Hispanic Network): This network recently launched to connect 11 Hispanic professionals and organizations serving families and students across Goodhue County.
Increase/Improve Access to Out-of-School Time: Eighteen partners are working to identify and organize scholarship opportunities available to youth across Goodhue County, and connect young people with existing volunteer, employment, and community opportunities.
Positive Childhood Experiences: Partners received training on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), with a focus on reducing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center
Hispanic Inclusion Lake City
Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County
Hispanic Students United at Red Wing Public Schools
Hope and Harbor
HOPE Coalition
Jones Family Foundation
Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools
Lake City Public Schools

Mayo Clinic Red Wing
Minnesota State College Southeast
Red Wing Public Schools
RiseUp Partnership
Three Rivers Community Action
United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties
Workforce Development
YMCA, Red Wing
Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District

Partnership in Action:
Restorative Practices Advisory Committee

Over the past year, the Restorative Practices Advisory Committee (RPAC), a workgroup of the Partnership for Children, Youth and Families of Goodhue County, has been convening around building a shared approach to restorative justice that centers the humanity of all people, promotes open communication and collective decision-making, and views accountability as an opportunity for repair and healing instead of punishment.

The committee brings together the courts, prosecution, public defense, probation, social services, law enforcement, schools, community organizations, victim advocates, youth and families. The youth who are part of the RPAC have all been involved in the justice system in some capacity, and they know firsthand how exclusionary practices within the system can create barriers to education, job security, and economic mobility. Within the RPAC, they are recognized as capable partners whose lived experiences and perspectives are essential to creating a more just and equitable Goodhue County.

Purpose Statement:
We are taking action to heal our community by transforming justice in Goodhue County.

Events: Partnership in Action

Battle of the Badges

The annual Battle of the Badges charity softball game at Red Wing Athletic Field transformed the ballpark into a community celebration. The Red Wing Police Department and Goodhue County Sheriff's Office took the field against the Red Wing Fire Department in a competitive matchup for a shared cause. The Red Wing Elks Lodge No. 845 served up a full menu of delicious food and drinks, and game-day traditions rounded out the fun.

Juneteenth

Goodhue County’s annual Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Red Wing High School Black Student Union (BSU), drew over 600 attendees to the Central Park Bandshell to celebrate Black history, culture, and community. BSU President Amarie Williams’ leadership helped to bring youth voice to the forefront of the celebration.

Pride

Red Wing Pride 2026 brought 1,100 community members together to celebrate unity, inclusion, and identity. Pride’s organizational committee was made up of local community members and one student from Tower View Alternative High School, and RiseUp Partnership was proud to help facilitate the annual event, which will continue to create affirming and inclusive spaces for youth in Goodhue County.

The Giving Spoon Gathering

In October 2025, RiseUp Partnership welcomed supporters from across Goodhue County to the Tower View Barn at the Anderson Center for the Giving Spoon Gathering. This event, organized by the RiseUp Partnership Board, brought together neighbors united by a shared commitment to RiseUp Partnership’s mission.

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:

In-school mentoring and support services at Bluffview Elementary School, Red Wing High School, Twin Bluff Middle School, and Tower View Alternative School, including emotional and academic support, crisis intervention and referrals, advocacy and system navigation support, and substance use prevention and intervention support
Afterschool programming at The Kiln, including one-on-one and peer mentoring, independent living skills training, quiet study spaces and tutoring, daily meals and cooking lessons, and substance use prevention and intervention support
Community Youth Council will continue to strengthen youth advocacy across city, county, and state levels to elevate youth voice in decision-making, update and reimagine the CYC strategic plan and goals for the upcoming year, and recruit and train new CYC members
Welcoming a new cohort to the Parent Advocate Cohort

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 workgroups in the areas of adverse/positive childhood experience training, increase/improve access to out-of-school time, youth health and education podcast: for youth, by youth, and truancy
Support the GCED Reading Center
Support recruitment for open Board positions through our Youth on Boards initiative, and expand Youth on Boards to local nonprofits
Continue supporting cultural and community events throughout Goodhue County

Financials

Our programming year runs July - June, and our fiscal year runs January - December. In order to better demonstrate financial impact, we are reporting revenue and expenses from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Revenue Breakdown

Total Revenue: $946,090.22

Expense Breakdown

Total Expenses: $1,031,293.98

Total Cash/Investment Assets, 6/30/2025: $935,687.39

Total Cash/Investment Assets, 6/30/2026: $850,458.60

Board Designated Reserve, 6/30/2026: $550,000.00

Restricted-Team Rodge Fund, 06/30/2026: $51,277.19

Funders / Supporters

Foundations

Businesses

Government Grants

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

Minnesota Office of Restorative Practices
Restorative Practices Initiatives Grant

MAVA Student Success Grant

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

Goodhue County Health & Human Services

Local Governments

Local Grants

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.