Outcomes:

More than 350 African American men have been enrolled in the Theory of Transformation Program since 2010. An average of 72 participants per month have been participating in the Ujamaa program since 2013.  Approximately, 100 have completed the program and are Alumni.  As of 2015, an average of 65 or 90% have been employed each month since October 2013.  The employment retention rate is 80%.  To date 33% are living independently in housing subsidized by Ujamaa Place. Others are provided housing as funding allows. Only two men have reoffended compared to a usual recidivism rate of 71-75%.  Approximately 89% are now connected to their families.   Ujamaa participants volunteer their time in the community with the goals of connecting and contributing to community life, using and strengthening interpersonal skills, and continuing to develop a sense of responsibility.  

Ujamaa Place participants volunteer by: passing out flyers for and staffing activity tables at National Night Out with Unity Unitarian Church; equipment setup/teardown and cleaning at Rondo Days; equipment setup/tear/down and assisting with programming for the Back to School Backpack Giveaway program with Family Values for Life, assisting the Building and Grounds Maintenance crew at Progressive Baptist Church, loading and unloading trucks and stocking food shelves at Keystone Community Services food shelf, cooking and serving meals at Dorothy Day Center, various activities at Salvation Army and working with Take Action MN to get out the vote.

At no cost, men enroll in the Ujamaa Place Transformation Program that requires them to work with program staff for four to twenty-four months depending on their needs.  Ujamaa’s cost per participant is on average $3,000 -  $6,000 per year while a man incarcerated is an average cost to Minnesota of approximately $240 per day or $94,000 per year.  The costs to society without the Ujamaa Program for this population are tremendous and also to be included is lost wages, tax contributions and service to our communities and families