Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center","outOfStateSupporters":8.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7942139,"projectId":9813382,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of you, students at Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center have had access to books that are not only engaging but deeply meaningful to their lives. For many of my students, these books have become a lifeline during one of the most difficult times they are experiencing. In a place where students often feel disconnected, these stories have brought comfort, hope, and a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nWhat has been especially powerful is how wonderful this experience has been for students. Many who once believed reading was boring or not for them are now actively engaged and asking for more books. Through these stories, students have explored their own identities, reflected on their personal experiences, and connected with the world around them. They are beginning to see themselves in the characters they read about, which has opened the door for deeper conversations and self-expression in our classroom.\r\n\r\nIn addition to building literacy and critical thinking skills, these books have helped students grow in confidence and empathy. Our classroom has become a space where students feel more comfortable sharing their voices, discussing important issues, and learning from one another. Your support has made all of this possible. Thank you for helping create an experience that is not only educational, but truly impactful and life-changing for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1760908178242,"projectUrl":"project/voices-unlocked-stories-and-skills-to-e/9813382/","projectTitle":"Voices Unlocked: Stories and Skills to Empower Incarcerated Teens","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7942139_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648159675778","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7942139"},{"teacherId":7942139,"projectId":9380485,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting the students at Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center in Wauwatosa, WI. Because of your generosity, 50 students in grades 9–12 now have access to meaningful learning experiences that help them positively reconnect with school. Many of my students have not been in a classroom for years and often come in believing that school is not relevant to their lives. Your support is helping change that mindset by providing materials that make learning engaging, accessible, and connected to their futures.\r\n\r\nWith the addition of these young adult books, students are developing important literacy and critical thinking skills while exploring real-world topics like racial justice, indigenous sovereignty, immigration, women's rights, the Civil Rights Movement, and community activism. In our classroom, reading is active—students annotate texts, discuss ideas with peers, and build their ability to support claims with evidence and reasoning. These experiences help students see themselves as thinkers, communicators, and active members of society.\r\n\r\nThe art supplies have also made a powerful impact by giving students creative ways to express what they are learning. For many students, this has increased engagement and confidence, especially for those who struggle with traditional assignments. I have already seen students who were once reluctant begin to participate more, share their perspectives, and take pride in their work. Your generosity is helping students rediscover their voices and recognize their potential. Thank you for making a lasting d","fullyFundedDate":1758831565885,"projectUrl":"project/youths-reading-for-justice/9380485/","projectTitle":"Youths Reading For Justice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7942139_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648159675778","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7942139"},{"teacherId":10042971,"projectId":9378918,"letterContent":"With your generous support my students have access to not only more art supplies but a large variety of new books to encourage their artistic journeys as they grow in their art making. \r\n\r\nMany of my students have not had successful school experiences recently or ever in their educational lives and unfortunately have soured on the idea of school \"being for them,\" this often includes the arts. For 3 school years I had the privilege and honor to be one of their guides on the students paths back to educational opportunities and growth. Through the class I taught students were challenged to think critically about themselves within a light of positivity and growth and not simply focus on the negatives that are often a part of their daily existence in a detention center. With my background in art and the supplies we had we were able to create some amazing art that is still on the walls in the center today. \r\n\r\nWith your support of my class I was able to order students new books that are in line with student interests and areas they would like to grow in as artists. They will be starting their new school year with new options to stretch their creative skills and will continue working towards becoming the young adults they were meant to become. Art in this setting has always been more than just a class, its a chance for students to work inwards and set goals for themselves, the gift of new supplies and books into the classroom will continue that mission.","fullyFundedDate":1749114766266,"projectUrl":"project/artists-change-the-world/9378918/","projectTitle":"Artists Change the World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hodgkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10042971"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_63080","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":74,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":24,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":55,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":91.3,"schoolId":63080,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/wauwatosa-school-district/detention-center-school/63080"}

About this school

Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center is a public school in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin that is part of Wauwatosa School District. It serves 74 students in grades Not specified. Its teachers have had 5 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Not specified

74 Students

# of teachers unavailable

10201 W Watertown Plank

Wauwatosa, WI 53226 View local requests

https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/page/vel-r-phillips-school

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. D

Ms. Hodgkins

Ms. Klein

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

See how DonorsChoose works

Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center Demographics

24%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

27%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Apr 13, 2026

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.