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:
- Champions Make Change-MCAP (CMC-MCAP)
- Credible Messengers (CM)
Questions about our Juvenile Justice Programs? Email Stacey.Lindsay@runningrebels.org
Be The Change
Our African American male leadership program, which focuses on literacy and cultural awareness, connects participants to male mentors and peers. Youth also participate in group discussions and field trips.
Lady Rebels
A leadership program for young ladies, connect with positive female role models while goal setting and learning life skills.
Audio/Visual Entertainment
Learn photography, videography, along with anything you would need to succeed in the entertainment business such as songwriting, rapping, and stage presence.
Visual Arts
Practice drawing, painting, and collages.
Basketball fundamentals, athletic training, and other activities are free for young people in our programs.
For more information, please contact Donta.Holmes@runningrebels.org.
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.
“Right now, I’m an independent student, so me and my mom are paying out of pocket for it. I don’t really have too many outside scholarships, outside of federal aid. It’s helping me get through…paying for classes, books, stuff like that. My mom was the first person to go to college in my family–she first attended Malcolm X Community College and went on to finish out at USC.” -Jerome Terrell Jr., HELP Scholarship Recipient
“I’m going to UW-Milwaukee and my major is Biology/Pre-Med. I’m going to use my degrees to go to medical school, become a doctor. and help people all over the world.” -Ahveon Smith, HELP Scholarship Recipient
Interested in learning about our HELP College Scholarship? Email info@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 Stacey Lindsay at Stacey.Lindsay@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.
For information regarding any of our services, please reach out to info@runningrebels.org. Services support Running Rebels Community Organization.
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.
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.
