Running Rebels’ Juvenile Justice Programs serve some of the hardest-to-reach and highest-risk young people in Milwaukee. These are young people who have been adjudicated and court-ordered for intensive mentoring. Running Rebels provides these young people with 24/7 mentoring and access to other positive arts, athletic, and academic programs, with the goal of getting them through their probation period and onto a more positive life path. Our professional mentors ensure that young people are attending school and acting responsibly at home and in their communities.
We believe that all youth have strengths that can be developed through meaningful relationships, structure, and support. We are very proud of the hard work that our mentors do to support and redirect these very high-risk youth.
Juvenile Justice Programs:
- Milwaukee County Accountability Program (MCAP)
- Intensive Monitoring Program (IMP)
- A True After-Care Program (ATAC)
- Intensive Monitoring Program–Aftercare (IMP-Aftercare)
Questions about our Juvenile Justice Programs? Email Stacey.Lindsay@runningrebels.org
Be The Change
When: Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:45 PM
Where: Running Rebels Central
What: African American male leadership program, connect with male mentors and peers while participating in group discussions and field trips.
Creative Writing
When: Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:45 PM
Where: Running Rebels Central
What: Learn how to write short stories, poems, and skits!
Lady Rebels
When: Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:45 PM
Where: Running Rebels Central
What: A leadership program for young ladies, connect with positive female role models while goal setting and learning life skills.
Audio/Visual Entertainment
When: Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:45 PM
Where: Running Rebels Central
What: Learn photography, videography, along with anything you would need to succeed in the entertainment business such as songwriting, rapping, and stage presence.
Visual Arts
When: Thursdays 4:30 – 5:45 PM
Where: Running Rebels Central
What: Practice drawing, painting, and collages.
Running Rebels athletics programs are a platform for developing athletic excellence, building character, and offering a source of stability in the lives of young athletes. Staff teach youth discipline, teamwork, and dedication on and off the court.
Basketball fundamentals, athletic training, and open gym are free for young people in our programs. Youth and adults not currently in Rebel programs can contact Donta.Holmes@runningrebels.org for pricing. We also rent our gym to organizations looking to host athletic events.
The Violence-Free Zone (VFZ) is a school-based mentoring program that provides Milwaukee Public School students with additional personal, academic, and career support. VFZ mentors work directly within seven MPS middle and high schools assisting students who need additional school support by helping them set and accomplish goals, strengthen preparedness for learning, and develop strategies to reduce and resolve conflicts responsibly. The goals are to support student success and create more peaceful and cohesive school cultures.
- Alexander Hamilton High School
- Lincoln Center of the Arts
- North Division High School
- Barack Obama School for Career and Technical Education
- Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts
- Vincent High School of Agricultural Sciences
- Washington High School of Information Technology
Our Higher Education Learning Program (HELP) is focused on making college attainable for Milwaukee youth. Our main goal is to provide college-bound youth with the means to become independent adults who will, in turn, give back to their communities. HELP coaches youth through their transition into college by providing emotional and financial support throughout their entire college journey, including annual scholarships.
“The HELP scholarship helped me to pay for rent and keep food in the refrigerator, which allowed me to focus on graduating.” –DeMarcus, HELP Scholarship Recipient.
Interested in learning about our HELP College Scholarship? Email help@runningrebels.org for more information.
Running Rebels works to establish partnerships for our Pipeline2Promise program with businesses in our neighborhoods and beyond. The businesses commit to hiring our young people, and Running Rebels provides soft skills training and support to remove barriers to employment. Companies interested in partnering with Running Rebels should contact info@runningrebels.org.
Youth eligible for the Community Mentoring Program must:
• Be between the ages of 12 – 17
• Be willing to work with a mentor to set and accomplish goals
• Have no Juvenile Justice involvement
• Have their own transportation to Running Rebels out-of-school time programming
Questions about our Community Mentoring Program? Contact Donta.Holmes@runningrebels.org. Please note space is limited in the Community Mentoring Program.
Crisis Stabilization/Mentoring
Crisis Stabilization and Mentoring are one-on-one support programs for youth referred through Wraparound Milwaukee or Milwaukee County. Crisis Stabilizers and Mentors build relationships with youth by engaging with them during out-of-school time and working on social-emotional skills.
For questions regarding our Crisis Stabilization/Mentoring program please contact Traci.Amos@RunningRebels.org.
Contact Cozette at (414) 316-5215 or email Cozette.Mclemore@runningrebels.org for information regarding any of our services. Services support Running Rebels Community Organization.
DJ Services
A catered music service for weddings, family reunions, graduations, parties, and some special events can be provided at an affordable rate through the Running Rebels Entertainment Group. Any type of music you want, we have.
Graphic Design & T-Shirt Design
We can work with you to design and print T-shirts, flyers, postcards, and business cards.
Videography & Photography
We offer professional videography and photography services for events. Rebel staff also teach youth audio visual skills – consider supporting their training by allowing a young person to shoot alongside a Rebel professional.
Splash Team Marketing & Promotions
Splash Team is a youth-led marketing and promotions team, which assists businesses in need of promotion. Services include flyers, postcards, banners, t-shirts, social media, and street team promotions.
From mentoring to athletics to juvenile justice, our programs provide positive, alternative outlets for Milwaukee youth. We aim to provide structure and support while also fostering meaningful relationships.
In 1980, at the young age of 19, Victor Barnett saw that the youth of Milwaukee were being pulled into the street life of gangs, crime, and violence. He used basketball as the tool to engage, mentor, and guide youth towards an alternative path that would ensure their future success. From this vision and action, Running Rebels Community Organization was born.
