During Bishop Tracy S. Malone’s visit last year to the North Central District, Main Street United Methodist Church in Kokomo celebrated a meaningful milestone in collaborative ministry. Main Street UMC donated their building to expand Kokomo Urban Outreach (KUO). This partnership with KUO highlights a mission-driven organization dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and transforming generations through empowering children and youth.
Main Street United Methodist Church is a part of the Indiana Annual Conference
The move has increased KUO’s space from 10,000 to 45,000 square feet. This expansion enables KUO to serve 1,000 children with educational, life skills, and work-readiness programs. KUO currently has two programs, the UP™ Program, which stands for unleashing potential, passion, and purpose, serves men and women ages 10-18, while MiniUP™ is comprised of children ages 3-9.
Living out the UP™Creed is the first of four main goals of the program, and contains the “4Rs,” I am Respectful, I am Responsible, I am Reliable, and I am Ready. The second goal is to ensure every child in the program graduates from high school, after which they will choose to go on to trade school or college, enlist in the military, or get a job. Thirdly, it is the goal that every participant is ready to work, possessing all of the soft skills needed to be a great employee. The final goal is for every young adult to possess the life skills needed to be self-reliant.
The UP™ Program has shown remarkable results. In its first year, 60% of participants had spent time in juvenile detention, with only 12% graduating. Today, only 10% experience detention and 100% graduate. The program is cost-effective with the program’s annual cost per child being roughly the same as just 10 days of juvenile detention or two months of prison.
The program offers choices to participate in several work activities to earn points; SpruceUP (landscaping and outdoor projects), UP Creations(crafting and selling home décor), BuildUPFabrication Center (building furniture and 3D-printed items), GroundUP Urban Farm (supplying fresh produce to local restaurants), WhatUP Dough (baking and selling cookies), and HandUP (internships providing job experience for special-needs students).
Points earned in the program can be used to buy food, hygiene items, or gift cards. This enables a sense of empowerment and helps them learn budgeting. Many of the handmade goods are sold at local businesses, an impactful way of connecting to the community.
Throughout the year, life skills are taught: cooking, laundry, budgeting, using tools, car basics, caring for pets, basic electricity, carpentry, etc. KUO also offers seasonal life-skills classes, such as Life Skills 101 and advanced courses like Adulting 401. Parents play an active role by granting staff permission to monitor their child’s grades and behavior, fostering both growth and accountability.
KUO just celebrated 19 years of service. Founder and Director of Mission and Vision, retired elder Jeff Newton explained how KUO has shifted over the years. An early focus on food and clothing distribution transformed into developing comprehensive educational programming. Rev. Newton was inspired by Robert D. Lupton’s book Toxic Charity, he realized that “People in poverty are treading in water, and we keep throwing them things to keep them in the water…instead of getting them through. We need to help them get out,” said Jeff.
During Bishop Malone’s visit, Keith Parkers, a participant in KUO’s UP™ Program, shared a powerful story about his journey from homelessness and substance abuse at age 12 to a life of hope and purpose, thanks to the program’s support. Main Street UMC’s commitment to this new partnership speaks to the congregation’s dedication to remaining connected to the community while making room for growth and mission. Bishop Malone’s encouraging words reminded all that “God’s mission is transformation.”
Rev. Newton is optimistic about reaching even more children through the planned expansion. He expressed deep gratitude to Main Street UMC, emphasizing the lasting impact of the program. “This isn’t just about buildings—it’s about transforming lives, transforming Kokomo…When pieces come together, light shines through, and something beautiful happens. That’s not just stained glass—that’s God’s grace at work. God is so good!” The program is ready to drive change, inspire hope, and create lasting impact in Kokomo like never before, marking 2025 as the year of transformation.
Stay up to date with Kokomo Urban Outreach and learn how you can get involved here.
story by Indiana Conference staff
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. A vital congregation is the body of Christ making and engaging disciples for the transformation of the world. Vital congregations are shaped by and witnessed through four focus areas: calling and shaping principled Christian leaders; creating and sustaining new places for new people; ministries with poor people and communities; and abundant health for all.
