Urban Ranger Corps

The Urban Ranger Corps was founded in July 2003 by the Rev. John Wandless while he was pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church, an inner Kansas City parish (2001 – 2006).

The corporation began operations in June 2005 launching the "Urban Ranger" program, a nine-weeks summer work experience and community service program for at-risk youths (14-18).

In summer 2009, the program was expanded by adding a career planning component which (a) helps each ranger develop an Individual Career Plan (ICP) for post-high school employment, technical training or admission to college and (b) provides an ICP Manager/Coach to help rangers implement their ICPs.

PeaceWorks, KC, has a history of supporting programs that empower young people to solve problems creatively. In 2010, the PeaceWorks Board decided to forge a relationship with the Urban Ranger Corps. PeaceWorks provided a lunch during the summer and sponsored small-groups sessions for Rangers with conflict resolution consultants. The Rangers enthusiastically participated in the discussions and came to PeaceWorks' annual UNplaza Art Fair, where they shared information about the Corps with fair-goers. PeaceWorks looks forward to expanding its collaboration with the Rangers.

The Urban Ranger Corps (URC) is an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) and classified as a "public charity" under section 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Read more at the Urban Ranger Corps website.

Urban Ranger Corps holds first 'Urban Rendezvous' 

By Scarlett Swall

PeaceWorks began supporting the Urban Ranger Corps, a community service program for at-risk teens, during the last year. To thank us, the Corps invited several PeaceWorks Board members as special guests to its first annual "Urban Rendezvous" dinner Oct. 29, held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The purpose of the dinner was to recognize and raise money for the Urban Ranger Corps, founded in 2003 in central Kansas City by the Rev. John Wandless. The event certainly fulfilled its mission. About 400 people attended the gala, with Chris Hernandez, a reporter for NBC Action News, serving as master of ceremonies. The evening began with a reception and a silent auction (a live auction was held later in the evening). Following dinner, Wandless reported on the state of the Urban Ranger Corps.

He began by saying there was a difference between charity and justice. "Charity money intervenes after the problem. Justice money goes to prevention." The work of the Urban Ranger Corps is about prevention. The mission of the Corps is to help prepare at-risk inner-city youth (ages 14-18) for wholesome, responsible and productive futures. This past summer, 124 youngsters applied, but funding was available for only 36 positions. With some additional help, Wandless hopes to enroll 100 Rangers in next summer's program. And, with a lot more help, he said, "Imagine the impact that 1,000 Rangers would have on our youth, our schools and our community's quality of life."

The highlight of the evening was when Rangers Jackie Johnson, Kalib Gilmore, Raymond Banks and Devonte Peoples, interviewed by Chris Hernandez, shared their personal stories and their Corps experiences. Jackie, a first-year Ranger, said the summer program taught him "to respect myself and others. And that I can complete anything that I want." Kalib, 18 years old and a second-year Ranger, received at the August graduation ceremonies the highest recognition of Ranger achievement—the Leadership Award. He said this program has taught him to grow up and become his own man. Raymond graduated from Westport High School in May 2009 and attends Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. He was elected president of Missouri Valley's Student Government Association for 2010-11. Raymond said, "I am proud to be called an Urban Ranger. I hope I can be an example for future Rangers to let them know there is a 'place' for them in their community." Devonte, a second-year Ranger, said the leadership skills he learned within the Urban Rangers have been an asset in his growth. Devonte added, "I was always respectful, but I learned how to be a leader. Now, I'm teaching the new Rangers."

A 2009 Gallup Poll/America's Promise Index reported that 50 percent of Kansas City's students had no "hope," and 37 percent reported they were not "thriving." This hopeless vision of the future is leading teenagers to engage in at-risk behaviors destroying their lives and the life of their community, said a presenter at the dinner, suggesting that as members of this community, we have an opportunity to make a difference.

A plea went out asking those in attendance to help sponsor a Ranger for $2,400. A donation of $300 would provide an opportunity for a young man to have a travel experience.

I was honored to be at this dinner with PeaceWorks Board member Mary Bean, representing PeaceWorks and our involvement with this fine program for at-risk youth.

Last summer, I heard excerpts from a speech given by a young lady graduating from Andre Agassi's Las Vegas school for at-risk youth. She stated that she was able to attend this school because of her "at-risk" status. Having been given the opportunity to attend this school, she still was labeled "at-risk." Her response: "At-risk to become the first member of my family to graduate from college, at-risk to become an outstanding leader, at-risk to be a productive member of society, at-risk to become someone able to give back to her community."

The Urban Ranger Corps provides "at-risk" youth from our community the opportunity to...

 

Scarlett Swall is the secretary of the PeaceWorks, Kansas City, Board of Directors.

 

 

Saving lives takes community support

By Patti Nelson

PeaceWorks has been acting locally to promote peace among the youth of Kansas City for many years. We are excited to announce our support of the Urban Ranger Corps (URC), a non- profit 501(c)3 organization.

The URC serves at-risk inner-city youth who might otherwise be recruited by gangs or spend their summer on the street. This nine week summer work experience helps young men, ages 14 to 18, manifest leadership skills, teamwork, self-empowerment, and reliability through rigorous exercise and strict discipline. The teens paint houses, complete yard work and provide light carpentry for the elderly and single mothers to earn a small stipend. They also work on the trails and cabins at a local park and end the summer with a three day canoe adventure. Unfortunately, only 36 out of 125 applicants can be ac-cepted because of funding limits. Of those, 29 young men made it through this summer’s program. With the support of the community, the program hopes to expand to reach a wider section of KC's youth.

PeaceWorks organized and paid for the URC to work with the Community Mediation Center of Independence, Mo., this summer. The teens were introduced to non-violent communication, based on the work of Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D. The youth had discussions about the effects of violence and through role-playing they learned to act mindfully with coherence and empathy rather than to react with the “fight or flight” response. Father John Wandless, the founder of URC, was so impressed with the youths’ enthusiasm as they interacted with the mediators, Rev. Lori Woodley and Diane Kyser, that he said he hopes to have extended sessions in the future. “This could save lives,” he said. We at PeaceWorks agree.

Another way PeaceWorks helped this summer was to purchase and make a healthy lunch for 45 young men and staff. Carol Johnson, one of the coordinators at URC, told me, “They loved that lunch!”

The Urban Ranger Corps, along with the new Compassionate Communication training provided by PeaceWorks, is planting a seed of hope and broadening the horizons of these deserving young men. The help of the entire community is needed to expand this wonderful program.

 

Patti Nelson is vice chair of the PeaceWorks Board.