UP Program at Kokomo Urban Outreach

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UP Program at Kokomo Urban Outreach Click here for Masquerade Gala Tickets - Nov. 7 at KUO https://tinyurl.com/3azrn42n

The UP™ Program equips youth with the work ethic, life skills and, education needed to become self-reliant adults who contribute meaningfully to their community.

4 HOURS. 1 GYM. HUNDREDS OF LIVES CHANGED. 🩸💪TOMORROW (Tuesday, Oct 27th), Kokomo Urban Outreach is partnering with Vers...
10/26/2026

4 HOURS. 1 GYM. HUNDREDS OF LIVES CHANGED. 🩸💪

TOMORROW (Tuesday, Oct 27th), Kokomo Urban Outreach is partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana to host our Fall Blood Drive right inside our gym from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM!

Did you know that just one single donation can help save up to 3 lives? Whether supporting accident victims, surgery patients, or community members fighting cancer, your donation makes an immediate impact right here in our local hospitals.🎃

PLUS: FREE "CREEP IT REAL" T-SHIRT! Every donor tomorrow walks away with a limited-edition "Creep It Real, Donate Blood" skateboarding skeleton tee! Also come purchase a drink from Faith & Fizz Co who will be parked in our parking lot!

• Date: Tomorrow — Tuesday, October 27, 2026
• Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: KUO Gym (813 S. Union St., Kokomo, IN)
• Donor Tips: Eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water, and bring a valid ID!

Appointments are preferred to keep wait times short, but walk-ins are always welcome!

HOW YOU CAN HELP TODAY:
💬 TAG A FRIEND: Tag a friend or family member below who should donate with you tomorrow!
🔄 SHARE: Share this post so everyone in Howard County sees it before tomorrow afternoon!
LOCK IN YOUR SLOT: Click the link on our website or on our event page tagged below to reserve your time slot!

Kokomo Urban Outreach & Versiti Blood Center of Indiana Blood Drive

10/26/2026

PRESS PLAY: "You have to work for everything you get." — Matthew, age 12

Meet Matthew! He has been in our program for 4 years—starting in Mini UP™ as a young kid and growing right up into our main UP™ Program.

Out on the job site, Matthew earned 20 points by raking leaves, picking up sticks, and clearing walnuts.

But when Kareen asked him how many points he has saved up overall, Matthew revealed an incredible number: 495 points!

In a world that often teaches instant gratification, 12-year-old Matthew is practicing long-term saving, financial responsibility, and real work ethic.

Nobody handed him those 495 points—he earned every single one with a rake in his hand.

National Pumpkin Day is Monday, and we've got a question:When was the last time you walked into a place expecting coffee...
10/25/2026

National Pumpkin Day is Monday, and we've got a question:
When was the last time you walked into a place expecting coffee and walked out with hope?

Stop by Kokomo Urban Outreach for a complimentary cup of our own Wake UP Coffee and a fresh pumpkin cookie baked just for the occasion.

While you're here, browse our gift shop where all summer items are 50% off.

You may also join us at 10:00 AM for a tour.

See the rooms. Experience the art. Hear the stories.

Every pumpkin starts as something ordinary.
Then an artist gets involved.
A carver sees something nobody else can see and slowly reveals what was possible all along.

That's what you'll discover at KUO. Not a building. Not a program. Not even a coffee shop. You'll discover that there are some people who were told they didn't matter finding out they do.

The most inspiring part of the tour may not be what we've created here.

It may be what it reminds you is still waiting to be created in you.
See you Monday.☕🎃

10/25/2026

Kareen caught up with a brother-and-sister crew who joined UP™ just a couple of weeks ago.

When asked what life skills they've learned so far, big brother shared about the value of working hard.

Then, his 9-and-a-half-year-old sister dropped a quote that blew us all away.

THANK YOU TO JUDSON ROAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH! ⛪💙A huge thank you to Judson Road Christian Church for having our youth today...
10/25/2026

THANK YOU TO JUDSON ROAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH! ⛪💙

A huge thank you to Judson Road Christian Church for having our youth today!

Judson Road is such a faithful partner to Kokomo Urban Outreach. Whether hosting our kids, volunteering, or wrapping their arms around our programs, their heart for local youth and families shines through everything they do.

It takes a whole community to empower the next generation, and having partners like Judson Road in our corner makes all the difference.

Our kids felt so welcomed, valued, and loved today, Judson Road Christian Church! 🩷

People keep asking us: Where did the UP™ Creed come from? Here’s the story.Nine years ago, I was driving down the road w...
10/25/2026

People keep asking us: Where did the UP™ Creed come from? Here’s the story.

Nine years ago, I was driving down the road when it hit me. I was remembering the Boy Scout Oath and Law. I memorized them when I was 11 or 12 years old, and they never left me.

And I thought: UP™ kids need something like that.

So I pulled over and wrote the Creed on the back of an envelope.

We’ve tweaked one line over the years. That’s it. Hundreds of kids have memorized it. Thousands have heard it. Rev. Joe Johnson even put it to music.

Kids as young as three starts with the Four Rs. In first grade, they begin learning the whole thing. Hearing a child say it from memory is surreal. I am humbled every time.

Here it is:

I am Respectful at home, at school, at work, and to myself.
I am Responsible for my actions, for caring for myself, for listening and learning, and for the way I treat others.
I am Reliable by being on time, keeping my promises, finishing what I start, and being persistent.
I am Ready to work, to lead, to speak up, and to solve problems in a positive way.

I believe if every person in our community, even our country, lived the UP™ Creed, we would be the greatest nation on earth.

For the next 10 days, we’ll walk through it one piece at a time. What words did you memorize as a kid that still guide you? Tell us in the comments.

It fit on the back of an envelope. Imagine what it could do in the heart of a town.

Jeff Newton
Director of Mission and Vision, Kokomo Urban Outreach

GIVE BLOOD, SAVE LOCAL LIVES & SUPPORT OUR YOUTH! 🩸❤️AND GET A FREE HALLOWEEN T-SHIRT! 4 HOURS. 1 GYM. HUNDREDS OF LIVES...
10/24/2026

GIVE BLOOD, SAVE LOCAL LIVES & SUPPORT OUR YOUTH! 🩸❤️

AND GET A FREE HALLOWEEN T-SHIRT!

4 HOURS. 1 GYM. HUNDREDS OF LIVES CHANGED.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 27th! Kokomo Urban Outreach is partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana to host our fall community blood drive right inside our gym from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Did you know over 80% of all blood supplied to Howard County hospitals is collected through Versiti blood drives? Just a single donation can help save up to 3 lives—supporting accident victims, surgery patients, and community members fighting cancer right here in our county.

If you’re looking for a non-financial way to give back, donating blood is a powerful investment in both the UP™ Program and the broader Howard County community!

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Location: KUO Gym (813 S. Union St., Kokomo, IN)
💡 Donor Tips: Eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water, and bring a valid ID!

🎟️ LOCK IN YOUR DONATION SLOT:

Appointments are preferred to keep wait times short (though walk-ins are always welcome!).

Visit our event page on Facebook or our website to schedule your donation time today!

"YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO OUTSIDE AND WORK." 🍂🧹While working hard alongside her brother on our property crew this week, a 9-y...
10/24/2026

"YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO OUTSIDE AND WORK." 🍂🧹

While working hard alongside her brother on our property crew this week, a 9-year-old girl paused during leaf raking and shared a thought that completely blew us away:

"I’ve learned that you don’t have to sit around and do nothing and watch TV all the time—you can actually go outside and work."

At just 9 years old, she is discovering something that will serve her for the rest of her life: work produces pride, purpose, and capability.

When kids get off the couch, pick up a rake, and work together as a team, they discover that their hands can make a real difference in their community.

Kokomo Urban Outreach empowers youth (ages 3–18) through mentorship, life skills, work ethic, and education—giving kids the tools to become self-reliant, confident, and responsible adults. No child is ever charged, and no child is ever turned away.

They came for a tour. They saw a need. They helped.A few weeks ago, our friends from Robert Miller Furniture toured Koko...
10/24/2026

They came for a tour. They saw a need. They helped.

A few weeks ago, our friends from Robert Miller Furniture toured Kokomo Urban Outreach and noticed places where new furniture could make our building more welcoming. Then they provided several pieces, including this beautiful cabinet.

It now sits in our We Care of Kokomo main entryway, creating a coffee and welcome area for folks coming through our doors.

We Care and Robert Miller Furniture make a great match in our front hallway. Thank you for helping us welcome our kids, families, volunteers, and guests!

Did you know that education is one of the foundational pillars of the UP™ Program?We believe that true self-reliance tak...
10/24/2026

Did you know that education is one of the foundational pillars of the UP™ Program?

We believe that true self-reliance takes three things: practical life skills, a strong work ethic, and a solid education. That’s why we hold our youth to high academic expectations—and celebrate them when they step up to meet them!

At the end of this most recent grading period, our youth brought in their report cards and earned a total of 455 store points for their hard work in the classroom!

In our store economy, nothing is handed out—everything is earned. By paying for grades in points, we teach young people that taking ownership of their education has real value. Whether they are using those points to buy groceries, clothing, or a blanket for a family member, they get to experience the pride of saying, "I earned this with my own hard work."

We need tutors! Interested in learning more? Send us a message on how to get started!

Address

813 S. Union Street
Kokomo, IN
46901

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+17654571983

Website

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