“In 2020, we at Project Success hope for you what we hope for our students: That you achieve your goals, dream new dreams and connect to your purpose. Happy New Year!”
Adrienne Diercks is the Founder and Executive Director of Project Success, a youth-development organization that motivates and inspires young people to dream about the future, helps them take steps to get there and gives them the tools they need to achieve their goals.
Her passion to help young people achieve their dreams led her to begin Project Success in 1994 with 200 students at Minneapolis North High School and the support of the Guthrie Theater. Today, she has grown the program to serve more than 15,000 students and their families across 23 middle and high schools in Minneapolis, with more than 40 theater partners across the Twin Cities.
Adrienne was named a 2008 Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal “Woman to Watch”, and has been honored with the Minneapolis Award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the City of Minneapolis. Adrienne was honored with Ann Bancroft Foundation’s “Dream Maker” Award for Achievement and Leadership and as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts River Valleys in 2017. In 2019, Adrienne received the WEM Foundation’s Outstanding Educator Award for Excellence in Education, honoring her many years of leadership and dedication to inspire a spirit of learning in students.
In addition to her role at Project Success, Adrienne is the President of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable and a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization. She is a graduate of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute.
Prior to her work with Project Success, Adrienne founded Possibilities, Inc., a non-profit whose mission was to inspire kids to dream about their lives. In that role, she traveled throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin conducting inspirational workshops. Adrienne has a B.A. in English from Whittier College and is a proud graduate of Minneapolis Public Schools.
Project Success serves 15,000 Students each year in 23 Minneapolis Public Schools. The mission, vision and values that guide Project Success staff, volunteers, board, and partners:
Mission
Project Success motivates and inspires young people to dream about the future, helps them take steps to get there and gives them the tools they need to achieve their goals.
Vision
Every child entering middle school will graduate high school with a plan for their future and have the skills and confidence that will take them through the rest of their lives.
Values
1. Kids First!
Our work is led by a passion for young people. We are here first and foremost because we believe in young people and the power they have to create successful happy lives. The principle of “Kids First” guides decisions and programming.
2. A Non-Judgmental Environment
We meet every person and situation with openness and acceptance. Project Success operates in a fair and balanced system that offers all students an equal playing field – an environment that is conducive to their growth and to taking the necessary steps toward achieving their dreams.
3. Love is the Key
We maintain a positive outlook, and remind ourselves to always come from a place of love. We recognize that a patient and loving response to any situation is always the best answer.
4. Clear and Open Communication
We are committed to maintaining an open, honest, and ongoing communication with all who are involved with Project Success. This includes co-workers, students, school staff, parents, families, theater partners, our supporters, and general members of the community.
5. Dependability, Reliability, and Trust
We are committed to always being dependable, reliable, and trustworthy in order to create a healthy environment in the workplace, schools, theaters, and community.
6. Willingness to Grow and Change
We value ongoing personal and organizational learning and growing through self-assessment, creative thinking, and problem solving to better serve our mission.
7. Develop Healthy Relationships
Through teamwork and the constant application of our values, we will develop and maintain healthy relationships with students and families, school and theater staff, co-workers, and people in the community.
8. Sustain Excellence
We are committed to excellence in every area of our organization. By constantly adhering to these core values, we will sustain an inspiring, effective and high quality program.
