RUNNING REBELS COMMUNITY TIMES 29 Years 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
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29 Years of Helping the Community from Within · 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
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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
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.
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*