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

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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"},{"teacherId":9914340,"projectId":9092963,"letterContent":"My students and I truly want to thank you for your support of our first-ever Donors Choose project. The donated books have most definitely made a positive impact on students here at Vel R. Phillips. \r\n\r\nAs you may or may not know, my students are juveniles who have made some less-than-ideal choices which resulted in them being placed in a juvenile detention center. ,Our students range in age from 12-17, and the length of their stays also vary greatly. Several students have been here for more than two consecutive years. As one can imagine, this can be a trying, taxing time for these students, especially considering they are not allowed to have anything in their cells to keep them occupied other than two paperback books. Hence, books become a vital part of our students' everyday lives.\r\n\r\nThroughout the time that these books have been available to students, there has been a noticeable, positive shift in not only their desire to read but also in their excitement around the books they are reading. It has become the norm for them to want to discuss and share what they are reading. There are now waitlists of students who want to read many of the donated books. Because of your generous donations, the students no longer have to share books with 7 different pods, as five of the pods now have a small start to a \"pod library.\" \r\n\r\nIt has been so much fun to discuss the books with the kids and to see their excitement and enthusiasm as new books are brought to them. Without your generous donations, this would not have happened.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of myself and my current and future students, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 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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

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

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

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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 Dec 4, 2025

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