Team Ubuntu, in the Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya, is meeting with the team facilitator.
KeelMaster Today
This year's KeelMaster journey has been about growth, learning, and building with purpose. From strengthening our curriculum to preparing for real-world pilots, 2025-2026 helped shape a stronger foundation for the future. As we continue 2026, we move forward with renewed energy, clearer direction, and a deep commitment to helping learners, families, workplaces, and communities thrive.
KeelMaster 1.0
KeelMaster is both a leadership program and a process for personal development. It begins with learning how to learn and taking ownership of personal growth. From there, learners explore who they are, how to critically assess information to support decisions, communicate better, foster collaboration, and defend their space without offending the space of others. The final learning involves establishing a long-term career goal and managing progress toward that goal. A KeelMaster is equipped for competence and leadership.
Measurement and Evaluation Framework
KeelWorks believes real change is important, and like anything that is important, it needs accountability. We can't expect a program to produce, unless we measure. With measurement, we can know if we make a difference, and where we fail, we can see and adjust. The ultimate measure of success is gainful and sustaining employment. The process seeks to bring people to the crossroads of mutual benefit and personal satisfaction. Every participant establishes a progress measurement strategy and data on progress toward goals is transparent within teams. This data is aggregated without reference to individuals. Data for teams and for the program is collected. Unless we measure, we can't know we make a difference. Data collection continues after graduation. Outcome tracking should continue for at least three years.
Future Vision
Underachievement is a worldwide phenomenon. It isn't new. It isn't isolated to refugees or developing nations. The effects of underachievement aren't limited to the individual. Changing this for individuals affects families, communities, and nations. We have started with refugees in Kakuma because they came to us. The systems are designed to replicate and expand. We see teams for students at risk, soldiers transitioning, displaced workers, and anyone needing a reset. All the assets for these first Kakuma teams are replicating for additional teams. Where there is need, the KeelMaster program will expand to meet it.
Your Support Makes A Difference
The work we do wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Your donation helps us get people to work.
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Associate of the Month: Therese Ann Cagle
As ISD Quality Analyst supporting the Sunburst Learning Team and Grant Acquisitions Team Lead, I'm proud to be July's Associate of the Month! Change comes with action, hope, and endurance. My role supports ID quality learning outcomes while pursuing funding that expands opportunity, from Bank of America and GSR Foundation to Cisco and Microsoft. We've worked tirelessly to secure resources for the unemployed and underserved. And don't miss our biggest news: KeelWorks Founder Thomas Garrod is nominated for the Waislitz Global Citizenship Award, announced this July. If we reach the semi-finals, don't forget to vote and help us change the world!
Associate of the Month: Therese Ann Cagle
As ISD Quality Analyst supporting the Sunburst Learning Team and Grant Acquisitions Team Lead, I'm proud to be July's Associate of the Month! Change comes with action, hope, and endurance. My role supports ID quality learning outcomes while pursuing funding that expands opportunity, from Bank of America and GSR Foundation to Cisco and Microsoft. We've worked tirelessly to secure resources for the unemployed and underserved. And don't miss our biggest news: KeelWorks Founder Thomas Garrod is nominated for the Waislitz Global Citizenship Award, announced this July. If we reach the semi-finals, don't forget to vote and help us change the world!
Founder's Message
Good July folks! KeelWorks continues to help people get to work. Our interns are leaving at a torrid pace. The computers we purchased for Kakuma refugees are making a difference. Our interns are making excellent progress building out the tools we need to function more effectively. I am especially pleased with our grant acquisition team and its efforts there. We have never successfully gained a grant, but I think the current efforts will yield fruit. The one area of concern is that our donations over the past three months have been almost nil. This is a bit discouraging. If you could make a small donation, I assure you it will be greatly appreciated.
— Thomas Garrod, Founder