RUNNING REBELS COMMUNITY TIMES

29 Year s of Helping the Community from Within

Inside this issue:

Summer Experience 2

My Point Exactly 3

Express Yourself Milwaukee

4

Teen Adventure Challenge

5

Awards Dinner 6

P.O.W.E.R./ Y.E.S. 7

Upcoming Events/ Rebels „Raisers

8

Join the Rebels Online

Facebook.com

Please join the Running

Rebels on Facebook. If

you have an account sim-

ply type in “running rebels

community organization”

into the search bar. Join

our PAGE and show your

support!

Summer Review/Fall Preview 2009

Volume 26

1300A W. Fond du Lac Ave.

Milwaukee, WI 53205

Phone: (414) 264-8222

Fax: (414) 264-8233

www.runningrebels.org

By John Rakowski

The New Vines Program

broke ground working

hands-on with youth this

past June at Running Re-

bels. It appears that the

fruits, err, vegetables of our

labor are beginning to be

seen.

Our youth have recently

harvested lettuce and car-

rots from grow spaces

around our building while we

wait for our tomatoes, pump-

kins, and sugar snap peas

to grow a little more. In addi-

tion, we recently completed

planting and wood-chipping

a 60-foot long perennial

flower bed on the south side

of our building.

This flower bed should help

beautify our building’s most

visible side each summer to

come with a fresh blooming

mix of Irises, Russian Sage,

Day Lilies, Coreopsis, and

Rudbeckia.

Both projects are examples

of the New Vines approach

to creating opportunities that

aim to increase our youths’

overall health while expand-

ing their attitudes towards

learning and the environ-

ment.

Having an understanding

and appreciation for living

things, like plants, can pro-

vide a valuable model of

how to take care of our-

selves. Additionally, through

growing some of our own

vegetables we hope to be

taking steps forward in en-

couraging our youth to make

healthier dietary options.

We have all heard the im-

portance of eating our daily

allowance of fruits and vege-

tables, but unfortunately

fruits and vegetables often

just aren’t doing justice

when they are served from a

can or frozen out of a bag.

New Vines aims to give

youth the opportunity to ex-

perience a fresh alternative,

something directly out of the

ground or off the vine.

Looking forward, New Vines

is planning several exciting

and educational field trips

for this fall. We also have

begun to consider ways to

offer growing opportunities

year-round through explor-

ing what crops we might be

able to sustain indoors dur-

ing our chilly Midwest fall

and frigid winter seasons.

New Vines is always on the

look-out for interested youth,

positive community collabo-

rations, and donations that

may ‘fertilize’ our program’s

growth. If any of this sounds

like you, or if you simply

would like more information,

please don’t hesitate to con-

tact John Rakowski at

john.rakowski@runningrebel

s.org or (414)550-3458.

New Vines Program: Summer Review

Page 2 Running Rebels Community Times

Health Center

Medical Supply

(Accepts Medicare &

Medicaid)

2323 N. MLK Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm

(414) 562-1177

(414) 562-1277 (FAX)

Yefim & Lana

IMPORT DESIGN

Fashion Hats, Clothing and

Shoes for Men & Women

Leather, Sequins & Afro-

Centric Dresses, Figurines &

Art

2323 N. MLK Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212

Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm

SUMMER EXPERIENCE

***To place an advertisement in our newsletter, to become an eRebel News subscriber (receive updates

through your e-mail as well as the electronic version of our newsletter), or for questions on any of the articles

in the newsletter, contact Natasha at (414) 264-8222, or Natasha.Coe@runningrebels.org.***

By Trenton Dockery

It has truly been an honor work-ing for the Running Rebels this summer. It is a dream of mine to work in the city of Milwaukee when I graduate from college. However, I have always struggled to discover what field of work I would get in to.

Working here this summer has answered that question, and now I know wholeheartedly that my aspirations and desires in my career will be concerned with the well-being of children and young people in my community.

My name is Trenton Dockery

and I will be a graduating senior at Morehouse College in the fall. I was born and raised here in Milwaukee, and I attended Nicolet High School.

In reflection of my time here in Milwaukee before I went to col-lege, what I remember most was the challenges I faced academi-cally at Nicolet, and how that mentally prepared me for college.

I went into college with the mindset that I could handle a tough course load.

As a person who believes that education is the key, I want more of the students in MPS to exude

that same confidence. College should not intimidate our young people, but they should have the perception that this is the next step for me in becoming a suc-cessful adult.

Even for those who do not wish to go to college, our kids need to have the knowledge to know what is best for them, and excel in all that they do.

It is my prayer that I can help bring that mentality to more students in Milwaukee. Fortu-nately, I know an organization that instills those qualities and more into the minds of young people.

LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES

By Andre Burnett

I‟d like to introduce you to three

outstanding youth who have

played a large role within the

Running Rebels Community

Organization over the past sum-

mer. Arianah Walker, Lamar

Jude, and Lucretia McNutt are

young adults who enthusiasti-

cally participate in the pro-

grams within the organization.

They not only show that they‟re

role models in their words, but

also in their deeds.

Both Arianah and Lamar are

members of the Violence Free-

Zone, which provides staff who

assist youth in reducing vio-

lence within various MPS high

schools.

Lucretia is a recent graduate of

Bradley Tech High School and

has participated in Running

Rebels programs for a few

years now. All are members of

Running Rebels‟ M2 program,

which aims to bridge the gap

between older and younger

generations.

Arianah Walker, who is a regu-

lar member of the Young Edu-

cated Sisters, or Y.E.S. pro-

gram, enrolled in her first year

of college, starting her first day

on August 11th. She enjoys the

small class setting, which al-

lows her to have one-on-one

time with her instructor. She‟s

recently aced both her midterm

and final exams.

“I think I did well,” she ex-

pressed. “My grades are very

good.”

Lamar Jude, a 12th grader at

Custer High School, is both a

singer and poet with the Run-

ning Rebels Entertainment

Group. He recently wrote and

performed one of his poetic

pieces, entitled, “It Takes a

Real Man to be a Father”.

In it is a deep message to those

fathers who abandon their re-

sponsibility, but it also gives

credit to fathers—like his own—

who are there for their children.

“I like to do things that send a

message to the public,” notes

Lamar.

Lucretia McNutt worked with

the Running Rebels through the

Earn and Learn Youth Intern

Program. She mentioned how

each program she participated

in over the summer helped

prepare her for the future.

“I learned about leadership

skills, how to make right deci-

sions, (and how) to have a

healthy, successful life,” Lu-

cretia says.

If actions speak louder than

words, these three young adults

are talkin‟ loud. They stand out,

and that makes them our Local

Success Stories!

“...our kids need to

have the knowledge

to know what is best

for them, and excel in

all that they do. ..”

- Trenton Dockery

RRCO Youth Experience the Excitement of Miller Park

Page 3 Running Rebels Community Times

By Amanda O’ Day

Through the generosity of others, our youth had a

Milwaukee Brewer Miller Park experience on

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009.

For many, it was their first trip to the grandiose

ball park, as many inner-city youth do not have

the opportunity to attend major league games.

But from all who attended, it was a first class

experience.

From the hospitable neighbors grilling out behind

the backs of their vehicles to the many games of

bean-bag toss, Frisbee and Nerf football, the

sights and smells of the tail-gating was a hit with

the kids.

Through our partnership with Second Harvest, we

grilled our own brats and Italian sausages, while

snacking on chips and soft-drinks. But once inside,

the fun really began as the faces of the youth lit

up in amazement from the buzz of Miller Park and

our first-class major league team, the Brewers.

The excitement could not be contained as we

cheered for the home team, rose for the 7th inning

stretch, and placed wages during the infamous

Sausage Race.

In the end, the Brewers may have lost, but our

youth left as winners, courtesy of the Milwaukee

Brewers Charities and Brewers Buddies programs.

To the Milwaukee Brewers and Second Harvest,

thank you for all that you do for not only our

youth, but those that you serve through your

kindness and generosity.

We had a second opportunity to go to the game

later in the season, through Mayor Barrett’s Safe

Summer Initiative Program on July 30th, 2009.

The youth enjoyed themselves as they watched

the game and enjoyed a hot dog and soda compli-

ments of the event’s sponsors and Mayor Barrett.

The youth were excited as they had the opportu-

nity to meet the mayor as he watched the game

from the stands and mingled.

Shortly after meeting Mayor Barrett, the younger

group was thrilled to meet Bernie Brewer. The

afternoon’s grand finale came as the youth en-

joyed the complimentary batting cages and other

fun activities in Associated Bank’s Kid Zone be-

hind first base.

Thank you Mayor Barrett and the sponsors of the

event, for an exciting day at the ballpark!

My Point Exactly:

Cut the Games, It’s Time to Get to Work!

By Andre Burnett

Gone are the days of staying

awake until 3 and 4am playing

video games, with time to spare

for sleep, at least for now.

The summer, if we’d even call it

that, seemed to fly by. After

nearly three months of vacation

for our youth, it’s time to get

back in those books. That means

one word: discipline.

Yes, it’s easy to vow to play the

video game for a few minutes,

then devote the rest of the day to

homework, but is that realistic?

What usually happens when you

eat dessert before dinner? Yeah,

my point exactly.

Many youth in the Milwaukee

area make the right choice: they

come to the Running Rebels Com-

munity Organization, where they

can’t help but find some work to

do because we don’t take the

video games out until 5pm!

Our staff not only assist youth in

ensuring that they will have a

better understanding of each

homework subject, they also

serve as mentors and confidants

who are there to listen when

youth need someone to talk to.

Because at the Running Rebels,

we understand that Math and

English aren’t the only problems

that inner-city youth have to

tackle in their day-to-day lives.

When you really think about it,

fall isn’t all that bad, as long as

you’re a member at the Running

Rebels!

Page 4 Running Rebels Community Times

EXPRESS YOURSELF MILWAUKEE:

From “BOUNCE” to “Red, Hot and Blue”!!

By Holly Haebig

Funga Alafia Ashe Ashe, Funga Alafia Ashe Ashe!!!...

.."with our eyes, hands and

hearts, we welcome you,

we have nothing up our

sleeves!!"

Hello from the creative desk of

Express Yourself Milwaukee!!

It is my privilege and pleasure

to be Express Yourself Milwau-

kee’s studio manager. We are so

excited to be celebrating our

2nd year in our studio space

along with our 2nd year working

with Running Rebels youth!!!

Thank you for a great journey

so far! This piece is inspired by

several people I met this sum-

mer who wanted to know more

about who we are and our work.

Express Yourself Inc. began in

Boston in 1989 with an intention

to celebrate cultural diversity

and collaboration with isolated

youth from residential and inpa-

tient mental health facilities. In

2003 Express Yourself Inc.

expanded their mission by incor-

porating their first affiliate

Chapter; Express Yourself Mil-

waukee, Inc.

Express Yourself Milwaukee

celebrates the power of crea-

tive arts to help transform the

lives of underserved urban

youth in our community.

Through immersion into the

world of music, dance and visual

arts, we work to empower indi-

viduals! Every session, we are

led and inspired by the art and

the youth we work with!

Positive personal and group

benefits witnessed include be-

coming more successful con-

tributors to their family, peers

and community, developing

healthier self-identities and

past participants returning as

mentors to work with new par-

ticipants.

Through ongoing artistic, admin-

istrative and programmatic col-

laboration, we have reached

over 700 youth, artists and the

community at large including

those in alternative schools,

residential treatment and de-

tention facilities.

Our new studio space allows us

to offer a place outside of

these facilities for youth to

continue their artistic explora-

tion and self-expression.

Throughout the year, the youth

and artists of Express Yourself

spend time creating visual art,

performance pieces and set

designs for our culminating per-

formance in May.

We have truly enjoyed renting

space from Running Rebels. It

has allowed us to offer a Spring

Break Dance Camp along with a

6-week Summer Arts Camp

where participants were ex-

posed to various art forms in-

cluding photography and song-

writing.

Several Running Rebels youth

performed at Summerfest and

also had the chance to dance

with Cammie, a performer from

the touring percussion & dance

ensemble STOMP.

Our creative juices are flowing

as we enter our 2009-2010 sea-

son where we will explore the

theme “Red, Hot and Blue”.

Please help SPREAD THE WORD

that our open studio will resume

on Mondays starting September

28th from 5-6pm where all

youth are welcomed!

We will also be meeting with the

Y.E.S. group every other Tues-

day and Jahmes will be drum-

ming with the RR music group on

Wednesdays. Our Saturdays in

the Studio will also kick off

October 24th.

In thanks for all you do...sing it

with me now...Funga Alafia Ashe

Ashe, Funga Alafia Ashe Ashe!!!

Holly and the EYM staff

P.S. Mark your calendars for our

community performance set for

Thursday May 13th, 2010 and

check out our new website at

www.expressyourselfmilwaukee.

org/.

(Left: Express Yourself Milwaukee and

Running Rebels perform “Billibosa” at

Summerfest)

Page 5 Volume 26

By John Rakowski

Challenges present themselves to

each and every one of us seem-

ingly on a daily basis. It is how we

learn to respond to these chal-

lenges that helps to define who we

are and what we are capable of

accomplishing.

Every June, the Urban Ecology

Center offers teams, compromised

of four high school aged youth and

one adult, the opportunity to un-

dertake a wilderness based chal-

lenge in an exhausting, yet exciting

event appropriately named the

Teen Adventure Challenge.

The Teen Adventure Challenge is

an all day event that is made up of

tasks designed to be both physi-

cally and mentally demanding.

This year marked the third con-

secutive year that Running Rebels

has partaken in the challenge as

we sent two teams to compete.

Each team successfully hiked over

two miles on trails along the Mil-

waukee River before navigating a

pair of canoes back to the Urban

Ecology Center. Once back at the

UEC, two youth from each team

were presented the obstacle of

scaling a grueling rock climbing

wall.

Next, each team had to utilize a

compass to orienteer a course

throughout Riverside Park before

embarking on a lengthy final bike

ride from the UEC to a popular

downtown landmark and back.

These tasks were daunting, but

the Rebels persevered thanks to

strong efforts from both our teams

and enthusiastic support from the

Rebels staff.

Leading the way for the Rebels,

and finishing sixth overall, was the

team of Mike Peeples, David Brad-

ford, Brittany Brown, Jovantae

Bennett, and Arianah Walker. The

team of John Rakowski, Davionne

Jackson, India Little, Derrick

McWay, and Tekia Mitchell en-

dured a devastating canoe mishap

to finish eleventh out of thirteen

teams.

Running Rebels is extremely proud

of all the youth who participated

this year and are already looking

forward to next year‟s event.

Thanks again to everyone who

supported us and to the Urban

Ecology Center for hosting a terri-

fic and challenging event!

Teen

Adventure

Challenge

John Rakowski’s group Mike Peeples’ group

(Photos taken by Russell Richard)

Page 6 Running Rebels Community Times

By Andre Burnett

The Running Rebels Entertainment Group (RREG), formerly

known as Rebel Life Entertainment, recently held an awards

dinner to congratulate its members on their hard work during

the summer.

V-100 Disc Jockey Doc B was there to share his decades of

experience, explain the music business, and answer any ques-

tions regarding both. He even played a few of his own mixes for

the audience.

This group of youth consists of rappers, singers, poets, dancers,

music producers and engineers.

The staff also have experience in the music field, which they

shared with the youth twice a week in the music program meet-

ings during the summer.

During these meetings, members learn terms and techniques

that are needed, so they won‟t be duped into things like signing

a contract, which has been the downfall of many artists in the

past.

The goal of the music program has always been to help its

members to learn about the music business, gain exposure, to

get better, and to have fun.

If the summer is a sign of things to come, the fall not only looks

pretty good, it sounds pretty good as well.

During the fall, RREG will meet Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to

7:00 pm and Saturdays from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Running

Rebels Community Organization. Call (414) 264-8222 for more

information.

2009 AWARDS

Dinner

By Amanda O‟Day

To say that Potawatomi has made an impact with the youth of our agency and community is an understatement. Potawatomi has truly made miracles happen through their annual Miracle

on Canal Street giving campaign. In December 2008, Running Rebels Community Organization received over $200,000 from the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, as RRCO was rec-

ognized as the “Mega Charity Winner”.

As a result of their generosity, RRCO has been successful in reaching hundreds of youth through various programming,

athletic events and teams, educational seminars, an out of state college tour and other meaningful ventures. Moreover, many youth are boasting better health as a result of a new program.

The New Vines Program, which focuses on growing items from

the earth to fuel participants‟ bodies and spirits was inspired by Potawatomi. Youth, adolescents and staff are also proud to be

using the new workout facilities and equipment to boost energy and help fight diseases and conditions that plague our commu-nity, such as high-

blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Potawatomi has demonstrated that they truly are committed to helping the youth of our commu-

nity through their generosity. Our agency, community and youth are inspired by your giving spirit.

Thank you for the miracles, Potawatomi!

Potawatomi Makes Miracles Happen

By Jacqueline Spence

In their efforts to decrease vio-

lence within Milwaukee’s public

high schools, Running Rebels

Community Organization is

currently collaborating with the

Center for Neighborhood En-

terprise to establish the Mil-

waukee Violence-Free Zone

Program (VFZ); a program

where youth advisors are

placed in schools to build a

rapport with students, act as

role models, while assisting in

reducing violence within the

public school systems.

This year VFZ implemented a

reading program, POWER,

Producing Optimal Wisdom

Enhanced by Reading, to en-

courage high school students

to increase their reading levels

and enhance their love for

reading!

POWER ran for approximately

six weeks, during the summer

months of June through Au-

gust. All participants, mainly

those students who are en-

rolled in VFZ, were required to

take a pre and post computer

based reading assessment,

which measured their growth

in reading levels during the

duration of the program. Then,

each participant read a se-

lected reading series with a

VFZ Youth Advisor, completed

all reading curriculum, while

engaging in stimulating con-

versations with their youth

advisors. Each student en-

rolled also was required to get

a Milwaukee Public Library

Card, after participating in an

organized library tour at Cen-

tral Library.

Needless to say, the students

all improved in their reading

levels and gained a newfound

love for reading!!!

For further questions, please

contact Jacqueline Spence,

Educational Specialist, at Jac-

queline.Spence@runningrebel

s.org.

Page 7 Volume 26

Change.org

A new site that the Running

Rebels has also joined

recently: change.org. All you

need to do is go to

change.org, create an

account for yourself. Then

click on the “non-profits”

icon, then enter “Running

R e b e l s C o m m u n i t y

Organization”. Join with that

page and show your support.

Your support with these

various networking sites is

greatly appreciated.

CHASE Home Mortgage

Mary A. Wunderlich

Loan Officer

15525 W. National Ave.

New Berlin, WI 53151

Telephone: (262) 796-5844

Mary.boehme@chase.com

Board of Directors

Michael Mayo, Sr.

7th District Supervisor

Courthouse, Room 204

901 N. 9th St.

Milwaukee, WI 53233

Phone (414) 278-4241

Fax: (414) 223-1380

Phelps Painting

Professional Painting

Interior/Exterior

Fair Prices

“There is no job too small!”

(414) 531-7703

(414) 234-8518

POWER:

(Producing Optimal Wisdom Enhanced by Reading)

By Cynthia Johnson

Our Mission is to transform

girls into young ladies by assist-

ing them with discovering

their power from within. The

process begins by educating

them on various aspects of

womanhood. Programs in-

clude life skills, healthy choices,

careers, education, proper

etiquette, financial literacy, and

the arts.

Our vision is through this trans-

formation process, girls will

develop into virtuous women.

The Y.E.S. program began

June 29th

with its Spa Day Kick

Off. Girls already involved in

various programs within the

Running Rebels Community

Organization, ranging from

ages 10-21, came out to see

what the Y.E.S. program was

all about.

Spa Day was a kick off to pro-

mote our newest program,

Y.E.S. (Young Educated Sistas).

The venue was sponsored by

the owner of Options Salon &

Spa, Tamara Washington, lo-

cated at 2430 W. Murray Ave.

Our Young Educated Sistas

were pampered for the day.

They were entertained by

some of the best poets in

town, followed by voices of

inspiration, paraffin waxes,

body massages, manicures,

arching of the eyebrows’,

make up application, and

much more.

Throughout the remainder of

the summer participants en-

joyed free swimming lessons,

trips to Pewaukee Lake, various

field trips, photo shoots, group

sessions on self esteem, per-

sonal goals, and diversity.

Youth also participated in our

Career Exploration program in

which they learned leadership

skills, how to be professional in

the work place, and event

planning. We ended the sum-

mer with our 1st annual nacho

sale in which we raised a

whopping $200.00!

For more information, contact

C y n -

thia.Johnson@runningrebels.o

rg .

Y.E.S.

(Young Educated Sistas)

REBEL „RAISERS (formerly “Ways to Help”)

REBEL „RAISERS

Stop by the building to grab a

Spa Card for you or that special

someone. Spa Cards include

five, one hour spa massages for

only $105.

Take in five of the most amazing

spa‟s in southeastern Wisconsin.

This offer is worth over $350,

essentially the card pays for it-

self with that kind of pricing. The

card will also be good throughout

2009. On top of that you‟re sup-

porting the Running Rebels Com-

munity Organization.

Also available at Running Rebels,

Avon gift packages, be sure to

stop in and check out many of

the great deals. A clearance bin

has recently been added as well,

for all of those bargain shoppers.

The Mission Statement of the Running Rebels Community Organization is to provide programs that will assist Milwaukee‟s youth in developing mentally, physically, and spiritually, while also pro-moting community unity. Running Rebels activities are grounded in the belief that programs which focus on education and recreation are effective ways to provide youth with positive alternatives to gangs, substance abuse and other negative behaviors.

Running Rebels Community Organization Presents its:

2009 Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet

Friday, October 30th, 2009

6:30p.m.—9:00p.m.

Italian Community Center

631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee

Banquet Tickets: $30 Raffle Tickets: $1

PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT IN OUR PROGRAM BOOKLET! For more information or to download a banquet brochure, go to our

website at www.runningrebels.org.

Over $5,000 in Scholarships is being awarded!!!

For further information or to order tickets,

Call (414) 264-8222

The purpose of the banquet is to appreciate and recognize the accom-plishments of youth who have been involved in Running Rebels pro-gramming and to raise funds for scholarships to be awarded to students attending college.

UPCOMING EVENTS

10/1/09: “Milwaukee Stories”

Rebel Alumni Job Harper and Steve Jenkins are showing their film at the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Oriental Theater, 6:30pm

10/2/09: Football Team Fundraiser

Serving breakfast from 8:00am to 11:30am

Serving fish fry from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Held at the Running Rebels

10/15/09: Bridging the Gap— Shaken Baby Syndrome Seminar

Our third installation of our Bridging the Gap series will talk about this serious form of child abuse. Join us for food, refreshments,

and an informative session. (Sponsored by the Potawatomi‟s Mira-cle on Canal)

Held at the Running Rebels at 5:30pm

11/27-11/28/09: Fresh Coast Basketball Classic

The FCBC includes a college fair, entertainment, and a histori-cally black college basketball tournament. Join us at the Potawa-

tomi Bingo Casino‟s Conference Center for a great event!

For more information, go to www.freshcoastclassic.org

*For more upcoming events, go to www.runningrebels.org*