In early January, a group at Rise New Brighton kicked off “Recycle with Rise” with one goal: recycle 100 pounds of aluminum by Earth Day while learning more about how recycling works. It has grown into something bigger.

People supported in New Brighton worked together to collect cans from their program and the surrounding community, tracking their progress and staying engaged every step of the way. By the end, the group had recycled close to 180 pounds of aluminum, exceeding their goal by nearly 80 pounds. And they raised more than $100.

“All this time I have been throwing out things I could have recycled and gotten money for,” said Daniel Aubuchon, who took away a lesson that there is financial value in recycling.

But there’s so much more to the project than just the money raised. It has taught participants about community building, while allowing them to focus on their strengths and abilities to meet their goals. The project also created new partnerships with organizations like the New Brighton Community Center, where Rise is located, and the Irondale High School Special Education Program which both assisted in collecting cans.

“Everyone gets to be involved in a way that works for them,” said Rise Direct Support Professional Veronica Johnstone. “It really leans into people’s strengths.”

Some people enjoyed bringing the bags of cans to Metro Metals Recycling and talking with the workers there. Others preferred removing pop tabs, which were collected separately and donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

Over time, visits to the recycling center became a highlight of Daniel’s week. His favorite part of the project was going to Metro Metals Recycling, where his curiosity stood out. He regularly asked questions about aluminum, including how materials were sorted, why different items had different values, and why prices changed.

“It’s cool learning how much different things are worth,” Daniel shared. He also spent some of his time at home collecting cans and working on the project.

Dan Krumsieg connected with the project in a different but equally meaningful way. Before receiving services at Rise New Brighton, he worked as an auto mechanic. Recycling aluminum and using tools allowed him to do hands-on work that felt familiar to him.

For Danika Perzel, the best part of the project was talking with people at the community center and asking if they had cans to donate. “I love that we’re learning how to recycle and getting involved with the community,” she said. “My favorite thing is knowing that we’re making a difference, and it’s awesome that we are making real money.”

“Seeing our people thriving out in the community is just awesome,” said Johnstone. “They’ve taken charge of this project and are really owning it.”

Participants also will decide what to do with the $100 earned throughout the project. It could be used to fund a pizza party, new games in New Brighton, or a different project of their choosing.