Twin Cities R!SE

TCR is an innovative workforce development organization that has been providing job readiness training and employment placement to individuals experiencing multiple barriers to success for almost 25 years. We focus on significant increases in income and long-term job retention, leading to financial stability and self-sufficiency.

Participants in TCR's program are very low-income, earning less than $6,000 on average at program start. Participants experience multiple barriers to employment, with 81% unemployed (most chronically unemployed), 62% with a criminal background, and 60% with a history of chemical dependency.

The overall goals for graduates of the program are to obtain full-time, permanent employment and retain employment at higher rates than any program nationally.

Key elements that set us apart from other programs and create positive results include:

• Personal Empowerment training, a cognitive behavioral intervention method that focuses on emotional intelligence, embracing challenges, and self-confidence;
• Career Coaches who work one-on-one with participants for up to 2 years after getting a job to support progress using best practices such as motivational interviewing;
• Emphasis on 21st Century life skills for employability and long-term success; and
• Customized partnerships with employers that create a direct pipeline to living wage jobs upon program completion.

TCR has over 25 years of experience in implementing its work skills training program. We have a talented staff, many of whom were participants in the program and deeply understand the participant experience. Others come with extensive experience in the for-profit and/or social service sectors.

TCR team members are uniquely qualified to serve low-income adults with multiple barriers to employment. Staff use a number of tools and resources to provide high quality coaching, instruction, and job placement services that support employment and training goals, incorporating industry best practices into our program model, including cognitive-restructuring interventions, motivational interviewing, and comprehensive support. TCR's staff is diverse, and many have completed a number of certifications to support success with participants, such as having obtained the Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS) certification or the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certification.

TCR is committed to transformational employment and significant economic impact in our community. Key indicators of success are:

• Demonstrated ROI with $7 returned to the State for every $1 invested in our program;
• Recognition as a national best practice leader in the industry, achieving job retention rates over the past 10 years of 80% after 12 months for full-time job placements, compared to the national average of 39%; and
• Job placements over the past 10 years generating an estimated $52 million in additional earned income.

Twin Cities R!SE is also a leader in pay-for-performance funding with the State of Minnesota. The State pays Twin Cities R!SE only when we achieve long-term outcomes, such as placement into a full-time job with health benefits and retention after 12 months. Long-term employment retention is the most important indicator of long-term success and impact, and so pay-for-performance funding keeps us accountable to achieving results that matter.