Running Rebels Goes Virtual to Celebrate 40 Years of Impacting Milwaukee's Youth
Running Rebels has been serving Milwaukee youth for 40 years. (Picture by Wes Tank)
What started as a path to stop Milwaukee’s youth from joining gangs, has turned into a movement that has impacted the entire city. Running Rebels has been going strong since 1980 and it all started with a 19-year-old Victor Barnett who wanted to make a difference. Now, it’s 40 years later and the Running Rebels are celebrating their impact in the City.
To keep safety at the forefront, Running Rebels has taken their anniversary celebration virtual. The virtual EPIC Evening presented by BMO Harris Bank will take place on October 27 at 6:00 pm CST. Attendees will hear from current youth and alumnus who’ve been impacted by the Running Rebels.
According to wife of Victor and Co-Executive Director of the Running Rebels Dawn Barnett, once you join their organization, you’re a Running Rebel for life.
“With us, it’s all about relationships. It’s not just a rec center where you have access to someone 9-5,” said Dawn. “We call it being a Rebel for life. However we can help, we’re going to be there for you.”
Since the Running Rebels has always focused on the hands-on approach, it’s been tough on the organization, but especially the youth, since COVID has hit. In March, Running Rebels went completely virtual.
Dawn said they’ve had to find creative ways to make sure the youth still feel loved and are getting the resources that they need, whether they’re in the Running Rebels’ buildings or not. After a few months of social distancing, the Running Rebels have found a safe way to allow their youth to come back into their buildings.
As an organization, they had to ask themselves, “how do we live with COVID, but stay safe,” said Dawn.
“Right now, it’s tough. It’s really tough,” Dawn said. “Back in the day, youth would love snow days or off days from school. Now that in-person school was taken away, they feel that void and I believe they appreciate it more than ever.”
Even with changes to their organization, their love and commitment to the youth hasn’t changed.
Running Rebels has two locations and they’re looking to expand. (Picture by Wes Tank)
Victor and Dawn’s son Victor Barnett Jr., aka Lil Vic, sees the good his father’s organization is doing and it has inspired him to want to help others. Lil Vic knows that his father’s life has touched so many lives, and according to him, if you meet his father once, you’ll never forget him.
One of his favorite things not only about his father, but the organization as a whole is that they don’t judge you for your mistakes. Instead, the Running Rebels acknowledges your wrongs and helps you create solutions, so you never make that same mistake again.
“Take what we do for the youth and apply it to yourself,” Lil Vic said.
To register for the virtual EPIC Evening presented by BMO Harris Bank, click here.