Youth in Red Wing are searching for community space of their own, beyond home and school, where they can safely hang out with each other and seek support. Goodhue County, as a small and aging city, possesses few spaces where youth feel welcome, safe, and comfortable in our wider community, and certainly few without a cost barrier. Therefore, RiseUp Partnership plans to introduce a new venture: The Kiln Youth Center, a space burning with activity where youth can cultivate meaningful relationships and experiences with their peers and obtain important mental and chemical health resources and gain lifelong, transferable skills.

The Kiln is designed by youth, for youth. Our model aims to increase success metrics for young people in areas of community belonging and mental health, paving the way for a healthier Red Wing in the future. In Red Wing alone, there are 2,123 youth ages 10 to 19. When youth feel cared for by their community, they are perhaps more likely to stay or return to the area. Fostered by an affirming environment, youth will build a sense of community and connection that will fire them up—like pottery in a kiln—to become the next generation of leaders for our city.

The Kiln Youth Center expands RiseUp Partnership's long history of youth and family engagement in our community. Founded in 1992 as Youth Outreach, we provide support and opportunities for the youth of Goodhue County to thrive, including:

High School and Middle School mentorship
Family navigation
Independent living skills curriculum
Fostering shared action with local partners
Empowering youth voice through the Community Youth Council

And now, RiseUp Partnership aims to respond to our youth’s burning desire to create a space of their own.

The Kiln - Community Youth Center

By RiseUp Partnership

The Kiln - Community Youth Center

Team Members