MADISON, Wis. — Many at-risk youth struggle to find food, housing and role models that can guide them through life.
Will Green is the founder of Mentoring Positives, a nonprofit organization that aims to fill those gaps.
One of the ways he does that is by offering jobs at his pizza shop, Muriel’s Place.
“Muriel’s Place is right next to Darbo, which is one of Madison’s low-income neighborhoods,” said Green. “This is pretty much our production kitchen but also a restaurant.”
The pizza shop is staffed by at-risk youth and mentors that can help guide the kids.
Green said many of the kids he works with have been in the juvenile detention center and he hopes what his team offers will prevent them from having more encounters with law enforcement.
“I have seen kids get in trouble and when you don’t connect with positive things, a lot of bad things can happen for kids,” said Green. “Having a mentor and someone who believes in you, builds you up and inspires you, you can do a lot.”
Maurice Banks has been working with Green since he was 12.
He said he has seen many kids’ lives turned around by working with Mentoring Positives.
“It keeps you busy so you won’t be out there thinking about being with your friends. You are making money and it is a first step for them to be out there and get a real job,” said Banks.
Banks said many of the kids they work with feel like they need to make a name for themselves out in the streets and at Mentoring Positives, they are trying to change that mindset.
“Positive role models, like other Black figures around us, showing them the ways that they can contribute and give back to the neighborhood,” said Banks.
