In 2007, Rachel Kincade received a Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service. The following piece from the McKnight Foundation website describes Rachel’s work in Duluth, Minn., before she moved to Madison.
Sixteen years ago, single mother Rachel Kincade began her outreach to homeless youth with special needs. As the executive director of Life House in Duluth, Rachel now serves 700 low-income and homeless youth annually, ensuring them access to housing, education, and employment opportunities. Under her leadership, the city’s supervised housing for homeless youth has expanded threefold, and in partnership with others, Life House has helped establish one permanent and three transitional housing facilities for homeless youth. Rachel’s team also provides these youth, who are seldom seen as community assets, with opportunities for community involvement in Duluth’s Juneteenth festival and Take Back the Night, and fundraising activities for various charities. Through good times and bad, Rachel is committed to constantly reminding these youth that they are loved and their lives matter. “It’s an awesome responsibility,” says Rachel. “The things you say, or don’t say, and how it affects people’s lives.”
Rachel has a personal connection to many of the challenges her clients face. Years ago, after freeing herself from an abusive relationship, she lived through a harrowing period of substance abuse and criminal activity; following her treatment and recovery, Rachel fought to regain custody of her baby daughter from the state. Newly determined to succeed, Rachel earned her GED certificate and entered college. In addition to her work today at Life House, Rachel’s community contributions include participation in the Minnesota Coalition for Homelessness, Duluth’s Affordable Housing Coalition, the Governor’s Working Group to End Long-term Homelessness, the St. Louis County “Ending Homelessness in Ten” plan, and the Northland Foundation’s board of trustees. Rather than allowing her burdens to hold her back, Rachel – now a grandmother – is using the lessons from her past to teach and empower others.
Our Community Organizer, James Morgan, hopes that MOSES members can form deeper
connections with one another by sharing stories, such as Rachel’s, of what led us to be part of this organization. If you would like to contribute a piece, please let Margaret Irwin know.