UP™ Front with Jeff Newton

  The Kokomo Urban Outreach's UP™ Program's point system offers a unique approach to fostering self-sufficiency and financial literacy in children and teens. Participants earn points through positive behaviors, by attending weekly mentoring meetings(Huddles), and grades. The primary way to earn points is through working in a micro business in the program, whether it be landscaping, building wood products in the wood shop, making T-shirts or wreaths in the UP™ Creations Store, or growing or selling vegetables to local restaurants. While learning work ethics, youth learn business skills and demonstrate the program's core values (Respectful, Responsible, Reliable, Ready to Work). These points can be redeemed in the UP™ store for essential items like clothing, hygiene supplies, and food. This system resonates with Robert Lupton's critique in "Toxic Charity" (2014), which argues against traditional models of charity that can create a sense of powerlessness and depe...

  KUO's initial approach to helping people in poverty focused on providing basic necessities for a decade, which proved insufficient in alleviating poverty. Founder Jeff Newton, in collaboration with the now Director of Operations and former Director of Food Outreach, Deanna Ancil, recognized the need for a more sustainable solution to addressing the issues surrounding poverty. Inspired by Robert Lupton's critique of "Toxic Charity" (Lupton, 2014), they envisioned a program that fostered self-reliance in participants. This shift in philosophy led to the development of the UP™ program, transitioning from solely providing necessities to empowering youth to develop the skills needed to overcome poverty. The arrival of current Program Director Kareen Dunn when the program was three months old marked a crucial turning point. Dunn's experience working with children facing similar challenges to his allowed him to refine the program and provide valuable coaching to staff...