HISTORY

Twin Cities R!SE began in 1993 – our founder, Steve Rothschild, former executive Vice President at General Mills, was motivated to find a solution to the poverty experienced by many people of color in the Twin Cities. Using a market-driven approach, he sought to assist individuals in finding stable and well-paying employment.

1993

Twin Cities R!SE Founded

Twin Cities R!SE (Responsible, Independent, Skilled, Employed) is founded by Steve Rothschild, a former General Mills Executive Vice President, in Minneapolis. TCR is established as a 501c3 with a goal of reducing poverty through job training.

1994

TCR Programming Begins

19 participants join the pilot launch. TCR was created to serve those with barriers to employment, and those underserved by other workforce programs. The original mission was to provide employers with skilled workers, primarily men of color.

1997

Pay for Performance Funding Established

Twin Cities R!SE becomes the first – and only – nonprofit to be paid by the state based on their outcomes. TCR continues to be paid only when a participant is placed into a job earning $20,000/year or more with health benefits. Another payment is earned when that individual is still working 12 months from the date of hire. Pay for performance (PFP) funding demonstrates our standard of accountability and transparency.

1999

Personal Empowerment Program Launched

Twin Cities R!SE begins providing Personal Empowerment training as a required part of the work skills training program. Today, Personal Empowerment is considered the key to TCR’s success, and everyone from participants to staff takes it and knows that they are “Lovable, Important, and Valuable!”

2001

Opening of St. Paul Office

TCR expands its services and adds an office in St. Paul. Today, we continue to have offices in both Minneapolis and St. Paul to best serve the community.

2002

Empowerment Institute Launched

The Empowerment Institute, a division within Twin Cities R!SE that conducts workshops, training sessions, and licenses our signature Personal Empowerment (emotional intelligence and cognitive restructuring) curriculum to employers, schools, universities, and other nonprofits, is established. Some early clients included Jeremiah Program, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) , and the University of Dubuque.

Mike Bingham becomes CEO

2005

Awali Place Launched at 1011 West Broadway in North Minneapolis

Awali was created to provide a transition program for men who were not ready to engage in the full Twin Cities R!SE program. The goal was to prepare individuals to enter the full TCR core program, gain entry into another training program, or find transitional employment. Awali participants were male and had recently been released from incarceration, were not required to have a high school diploma or a GED, and typically did not have stable housing. Awali was spun off and became Ujamaa PLACE.

Project Re-Entry Launched

This program served men who had been incarcerated previously, funded by a yearlong federal grant, in order to improve their long-term employment success and reduce recidivism.

2008

Art Berman Becomes CEO

2009

Expansion of Internship Program

The Internship Program at TCR! is an opportunity for participants to gain work experience at local organizations and companies. At no cost to the company, participants work up to 10 hours a week, which boosts their resumes and helps the company at the same time!

2012

Reentry Connect Launched

Reentry Connect, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, was designed to improve the longterm educational and workforce success of adults, particularly women, who had previously been incarcerated. Participants could enroll up to 90 days prior to or 180 days following their release from federal and state prisons, county correctional facilities and local halfway houses. It ceased operations in 2016 due to a lack of continued funding.

2014

Tom Streitz becomes President and CEO

2015

TCR Rebranded

Twin Cities R!SE name is adjusted, logo is updated, and brand colors are changed.

Minneapolis Office Relocates

from Washington Avenue in the North Loop, to 1301 Bryant Avenue in North Minneapolis.

Metro Transit Program Started

Twin Cities R!SE partners with Metro Transit in recruiting and training bus mechanics and light rail technicians to fill their labor shortage. This multi-phase program, which includes a 2-year Associates Degree from Hennepin Technical College, has resulted to date in 11 low-income individuals becoming trained and hired by Metro Transit as bus mechanics with a starting salary over $60,000 per year with great benefits. Additional cohorts will finish in the summers of 2019 and 2020 with an additional 20 Metro Transit job placements expected.

2016

St. Paul Office Relocates

The St. Paul office relocates from 460 Lexington Avenue to 1600 University Avenue in the Midway neighborhood.

Empowerment Campaign Launches

This first ever capacity building initiative for Twin Cities R!SE, focused on raising funds to build or buy a building, double our number of annual participants, and increase scholarship funds available for paid internships, begins. The campaign has raised over $6,500,000 to date.

2018

Career Pathways

For the first time, private companies partner with TCR and pay for recruitment, training, and placement. Career Pathway cohorts begin in the areas of Customer Service & Call Center and Facilities & Maintenance.

Founder Retires

TCR founder, Steve Rothschild, who served as the organization’s CEO for 10 years and Chair of the Board for the next 15 years, becomes Chair Emeritus.

2019

Mission Updated

TCR updates its mission to “Transforming lives through Personal Empowerment, career training, and meaningful employment.”

2022

New CEO Starts

Emma Corrie joins TCR as the first woman of color to lead the organization.

2023

New Career Pathway

In partnership with Ramsey County and Saint Paul College, TCR has now established a Diesel Technician career pathway.

2024

Largest Gift in TCR History

Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott gifts Twin Cities R!SE with the biggest gift in the organizations 30+ year history – $3 Million Dollars!

TCR Empowerment Institute Expands Offerings

TCR’s Empowerment Institute introduces an expanded suite of Emotional Intelligence courses, unlocking a proven pathway to an empowered, future-ready workforce.