Our Story
More than 30 years of helping those in our community move toward meaningful employment.
Since 1993, Twin Cities R!SE has provided workforce development for individuals facing unemployment, underemployment, and barriers to long-term stability.
Our founder, Steve Rothschild, began this work with a clear mission: to help address generational poverty in the Twin Cities by equipping individuals with the internal and external skills needed to gain, maintain, and grow in family-sustaining employment.
From the beginning, TCR has served communities deeply impacted by economic inequity and has remained committed to helping R!SERs build stability, confidence, and meaningful careers.
A Different Kind of Workforce Development
TCR was built on the belief that people need more than career training alone.
Our holistic model helps R!SERs build confidence, overcome barriers, build Emotional Intelligence, and gain the skills needed to move toward meaningful employment and financial independence.
For employers, TCR provides access to trained, dependable, and motivated candidates who are prepared to work hard, grow, and contribute to the success of their teams.
The Power of Personal Empowerment
Early in our work, we recognized that lasting change begins from the inside out.
Before participants could fully step into new opportunities, many first needed support in rebuilding self-worth, confidence, and belief in their own value. This understanding became the foundation of TCR’s Personal Empowerment curriculum, rooted in the belief:
I am Lovable. I am Important. I am Valuable. I am Empowered.
Today, every TCR career pathway begins with Personal Empowerment. From there, R!SERs build career skills, job readiness, technology skills, and the confidence to pursue meaningful employment.
The Empowerment Institute
As employer partners began seeing the difference Personal Empowerment made in TCR graduates, they asked us to bring the training into their own workplaces.
In response, Twin Cities R!SE launched the Empowerment Institute in 2002.
Through the Empowerment Institute, TCR provides Emotional Intelligence and Personal Empowerment training to businesses, schools, universities, and nonprofits.
OUR HISTORY TIMELINE
KEY MILESTONES
Twin Cities R!SE is founded
Twin Cities R!SE is founded in Minneapolis by Steve Rothschild, former Executive Vice President at General Mills. The organization is created to help reduce poverty through workforce development, meaningful employment, and support for individuals facing barriers to employment.
Pay for Performance funding begins
TCR establishes its Pay for Performance model, tying funding to employment outcomes and long-term job retention. This model reflects TCR’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and measurable results.
Personal Empowerment becomes part of the model
TCR begins offering Personal Empowerment as a required part of career training. Today, Personal Empowerment remains central to TCR’s approach, helping R!SERs build self-worth, confidence, emotional intelligence, and belief in their own value.
The Empowerment Institute launches
As employers and partners began seeing the difference Personal Empowerment made in TCR graduates, the Empowerment Institute was launched. Through the Empowerment Institute, TCR brings emotional intelligence and Personal Empowerment training to workplaces, schools, nonprofits, and community partners. All funds gained from the Empowerment Institute are directly invested into Twin Cities R!SE Career Training.
Career Pathways expand
TCR expands its Career Pathways model with employer-informed training in areas such as Customer Support and Facilities & Maintenance. This shift strengthens the connection between participant training and real workforce needs.
Mission updated
TCR updates its mission to: Transforming the lives of those impacted by racial or socio-economic barriers through Personal Empowerment, career training, and meaningful employment. This mission continues to guide the work today.
Empowerment Institute expands offerings
TCR’s Empowerment Institute expands its Emotional Intelligence training offerings, continuing to bring Personal Empowerment to organizations, teams, and community partners.
TCR launches Empowered Reentry Training (ERT)
TCR launches Empowered Reentry Training (ERT) pilot at Shakopee Correctional Facility, combining Personal Empowerment, career coaching, and workplace readiness training to help incarcerated individuals prepare for employment and successful community reintegration after release.
More than 30 years of impact!
TCR continues helping R!SERs build skills, confidence, and long-term stability while partnering with employers in our community across the 7-County Metro to create pathways to meaningful employment.