Twilight Centers: Empowering Milwaukee's Youth with Safe Spaces and Enriching Experiences

In the heart of Milwaukee, a network of Twilight Centers is providing a lifeline for the city's young residents, offering a safe haven and a wealth of opportunities to foster personal growth and development. These free drop-in centers, strategically placed in select school locations, are transforming the lives of the city's youth, ensuring they have access to engaging activities and mentorship during the critical after-school hours.

Guiding the Next Generation: The Twilight Center Mentorship Model

Mentors Who Understand: Building Bridges and Providing Guidance

Robert Perry, a supervisor for the Twilight Centers, understands the profound impact that positive role models can have on a young person's life. Having benefited from the guidance of mentors who shared his background, Perry is committed to paying it forward and being that same source of support for the youth he serves."I had a lot of mentors who are men that look like me that gave me a lot of jewels and gems at a very young age," Perry reflects. "It's important for somebody like me who is from the 53206, 10th and Chambers, all day, to be there to have those conversations and then to give opportunities."The 53206 ZIP code, an area on Milwaukee's North Side, has faced longstanding challenges related to poverty, joblessness, and mass incarceration of Black men. Perry's personal connection to this community and his ability to relate to the experiences of the young people he mentors are invaluable assets in forging meaningful connections and providing the support they need.

Positive Role Models: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders

Lauren Lopez, a Twilight and late-night leagues manager, echoes the importance of being a positive role model for inner-city kids in Milwaukee. "My prayer has been to be the kind of person and leader that I wish I had needed when I was younger," she says.Programs like the Twilight Centers and other Milwaukee Recreation initiatives provide an invaluable opportunity not just for the kids, but for the entire community. By creating safe, accessible spaces for families to engage in a variety of activities, the Twilight Centers are fostering a sense of community and belonging that can have a lasting impact on the lives of the young people they serve.

The Challenge of Mentorship: Navigating Complexities and Providing Refuge

Lopez acknowledges the challenges of mentorship, noting that the biggest hurdle is being "just one component of happiness for a kid" when you don't know the full extent of their circumstances. "You're just talking them at face value and hoping that whatever it is that they might be going through, that you can either ask the right questions to tap into what their needs might be, or you might just build a relationship where they can put whatever they are going through to the side and just come here and have joy," she explains.Despite these complexities, Lopez and the Twilight Center staff are committed to creating spaces where young people can find respite and nourish their passions. They hope that the positive experiences and relationships forged at the centers will inspire the participants to pay it forward as mentors in the future, continuing the cycle of support and empowerment.

Expanding Horizons: Broadening Perspectives and Unlocking Opportunities

The Twilight Centers not only provide a safe haven for students but also aim to broaden their horizons. Perry envisions taking the students on trips to different parts of the country, exposing them to new experiences and helping them discover their passions and personal interests."We would travel, right? I got to experience that, the business, and it helped me understand what I like and my personality," Perry says. "So, if we could take kids yearly on a trip … we would do that, like tomorrow."For students like Daijohn Hughes, who also works at the Twilight Centers, the program has been a transformative experience. "Even though I'm still working, it still gives me somewhere where I know that I'm safe and that I could be me instead of going straight home after school," Hughes shares.The Twilight Center staff strive to engage the students in activities that align with their interests, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the program. "I like to engage them with things they enjoy," says Hughes. "For example, if I see them on board and know they like playing a game, I'll ask if they want to play the game or basketball and try to get them involved. If they're playing fives, I'll get them next, or something like that."By providing a safe haven, nurturing mentorship, and expanding horizons, the Twilight Centers are empowering Milwaukee's youth to discover their passions, cultivate their talents, and pave the way for a brighter future.