MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee nonprofit is helping underserved youth in the city. It’s teaching them life skills like finance and the importance of education.
Tristacia Patrick-Yarbrough is the founder of All About Increase. She said it’s her desire to see young people reach their full potential. She works to help them see their unique gifts, skills and talents.
The nonprofit’s mission is to cultivate, educate and empower underserved youth from ages 16 to 24.
Kim Carter, the program's coordinator, works together with Patrick-Yarbrough to keep youth on the right track.
“I love youth,” said Carter. “I will help them be responsible adults, help them with interviews and hopefully help them to be entrepreneurs with their own business.”
It’s helping young people like CJ Bell. Bell said a few years ago his life looked a lot different.
Bell is a senior at South Division High School. When he’s not playing basketball on his school’s team, he’s giving back to the community.
He’s helping sort through winter items that will be distributed to families in Milwaukee for the second annual Increase to Warmth Drive.
Bell said it wasn’t always this way. He said he has a rocky past.
“I’ve been shot before, and then, I am a felon,” said Bell.
Bell said Patrick-Yarbrough and the mentors with the nonprofit helped him refocus.
“It helped me get into more stuff that I like to do,” he said. “I like to play sports, I like to draw sometimes. I like to help the community and by joining All About Increase, they helped me do that.”
Ramero Hopkins is a mentor with the group. Hopkins said he’s dedicated to helping youth discover their strengths and use them in a positive way.
“It just makes my heart feel so overjoyed that I can be apart of All About Increase and also that I can be part of these young people’s lives,” said Hopkins.
Nakia Triplett, who is also a mentor, said All About Increase helped her learn the skills she needed to get her first job at age 14.
“It helped me as far as getting a job,” she said. “I learned something called the 10-second elevator speech. That’s when you have 10 seconds to pronounce your name and introduce your skills.”
She said it’s a full circle moment for her now that she can help others.
“I just love seeing people smile when they get clothes and learn new skills,” she said. “It’s all about learning, it’s all about taking your time and helping others as well as yourself.”
Bell said the program helped him learn how to do interviews and get his first job. He said he has learned some very valuable lessons.
“No matter who you are or what you did, theres always love for you, because at the end of the day, people can change,” said Bell. “That’s what they helped me do.”
He said life is all about second chances and he is glad to be giving back this holiday season.
Taffie Foster-Toney is a volunteer with All About Increase. She said they are hosting a warmth drive for families this holiday season.
“We are all here on this earth to give back to those that are less fortunate,” said Foster-Toney. “Anyone who wants to donate, we are accepting all winter items.”
If you’d like to make a donation, you can drop off items at the following locations: Hair Variations, 4322 W. Forest Home, US Bank, 9921 W. Capitol, Realty Executives 4655 N. Port Washington Rd., and St. Marcus School, 110 W. Burleigh.
The second annual Increase to Warmth Drive will be held on December 13th at Riverworks Lofts, 3372 N. Holton St. from 6-8pm.