Mayor Barrett Approves Funding for Running Rebels Community Organization

Mayor Barrett Approves Funding for Running Rebels Community Organization

Milwaukee—Mayor Tom Barrett today signed a resolution approving funding for the Running Rebels.  The resolution orders the Social Development Commission and the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee to return Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and award those funds to the Running Rebels for recreational activities. 

Under the resolution, $24,000 in unspent 2005 CDBG dollars from the Social Development Commission and $25,000 in unspent 2005 CDBG dollars from the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee which was awarded to fund basketball programs operated by these two organizations will now go toward funding a summer basketball league and a year-round "in-the-paint" basketball league.  "This money totaling $49,000 will be put to good use giving our youth positive and fun activities to do this summer," stated Mayor Tom Barrett.  "Running Rebels has been instrumental in reaching out to teens and giving them a safe place to go." 

The mission of the Running Rebels Community Organization is to provide programs that will assist Milwaukee's youth in developing mentally, physically and spiritually, while also promoting 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.

Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. sponsored the resolution relating to the return of CDBG funds from the Social Development Commission and the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee and award of funding to the Running Rebels.

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