Employ Milwaukee President & CEO Chytania Brown, City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley and Governor Tony Evers joined forces to launch the new Camp RISE Summer Youth Program. Camp Rise is a free, pilot summer enrichment program recommended by Voices of the Elders (VOTE) that provide Milwaukee boys ages 10-14 with the tools to become community leaders. 

(From left, Camp RISE youth participants joined Nadiya Groves, Dr. Keith Posley, Earl Ingram, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Chytania Brown for a photo at the press conference officially announcing the launch of the program)

An extension of the Earn & Learn Summer Youth Employment Program, Camp Rise is a seven-week experience. The program is financially supported through Milwaukee Public Schools and federal funding allocated through Gov. Evers’ office.

Employ Milwaukee has been commended nationally for providing structured mentoring support to supervisors to enhance work placements and increase workplace retention for young people.

MENTOR, a nonprofit organization championing the expansion and quality of mentoring relationships across the United States, recognized Employ Milwaukee as one of five honorees from across the country, awarding the program its Influencing Systems, Workforce Award.

MENTOR’s Amplify Awards are given in recognition of individuals, organizations, school districts, and corporations from across the nation that exemplify the diversity, breadth, and depth of today’s mentoring movement.

Employ Milwaukee CEO Chytania Brown says, “Employ Milwaukee is delighted to be selected as a MENTOR Amplify Award winner. We recognize that young people are not only our future but also our present. We count it a privilege to help onboard young people into the workforce to secure valuable work experience, earn income at an early age, and grow in the process of stewardship of their lives. This is best achieved through intentionality to ensure success and we see that through linking mentoring into our workforce development efforts.”

(Chytania Brown flanked by MENTOR staff and other national leaders at Mentor Awards Ceremony in New York, NY)

The desire for gainful employment transcends race, color, gender, creed, and circumstance. This is especially true for returning citizens who are looking to get re-acclimated into the community and its social fabric.

Charles Dickerson is just one example of a justice-involved individual longing for societal reintegration and Employ Milwaukee’s Reentry Service team was there to assist. Shortly after his release from prison, after having served 23 consecutive years, Charles was looking for employment. As he was walking from his temporary living quarters to Walgreens on W. North Avenue and N. 27^th Street he noticed a sign that read, Employ Milwaukee, and he thought he had hit the jackpot and his desires for gainful employment would be achieved.

Upon entering Employ Milwaukee, Charles met with agency Reentry Services Manager Wylbur Holloway and Reentry Sector Specialist Frederick Nelson, along with Employ Milwaukee partner Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) Job Account Rep/ Job Developer Leslye Love to find out opportunities would be available.

So much had changed since Charles was first incarcerated back in 1999; the iPhone and other smartphones, extreme advances in computer technology power and capabilities along with a changed built environment and landscape in many neighborhoods.

The Employ Milwaukee Reentry Services team along with Ms. Love worked with Charles to draft shore up his resume, provided digital literacy assistance and connected him with WIOA and other employer partners to explore training and employment opportunities.

Charles is grateful for Employ Milwaukee and the agency’s efforts to help him secure employment with a local manufacturing company. He stated, “At Employ Milwaukee the people understand you on all levels of life. They don’t judge you, they help you to the finish.”

When asked what words of advice he’d give to other formerly incarcerated individuals looking to reestablish themselves in society having reflected on those who have helped him along his journey both while locked up and since he’s been free, Charles stated, “Trust in yourself and trust in people. There is help out there and there are still people out there who are willing to help you regardless of what you’ve done.”