What began as tragedy has, in less than few years, become a source of hope and inspiration to Milwaukee youth...through efforts of The Scooter Foundation.
With a mission of Making Memories Matter, the foundation is a living remembrance of Scott "Scooter" Schmidt, a victim of gun violence in May, 2005.
Scooter was known in the Water Street community and beyond for his kind heart and generosity toward others - and for his love of adrenaline sports.
The Scooter Foundation was formed to keep Scooter's vibrant spirit alive, to raise awareness of the toll gun violence inflicts, and to inspire change
among our community's youth.
With these goals, The Scooter Foundation began 2006 with plans to reach and influence at-risk youth through a series of fun, challenging recreational activities, and to leverage these events with opportunities to communicate themes of:
- non-violent approaches to conflict resolution
- building self-confidence and interpersonal skills
- the tragic consequences that violence takes upon everyone
"We want to instill confidence and self-worth, and show these kids there are better ways to resolve problems," says Susan Schmidt, Scooter's sister
and leader of The Scooter Foundation. "We talk about preventing gun violence and ways to promote community leadership."
Made possible by donations from generous friends and business owners, along with fund-raising activities, The Scooter Foundation has flourished
during its first years. Already we have sponsored a slate of monthly events with activities including:
- Roller-blading, paddle boating, and kite building/flying
- Boat tour of the river & harbor and Frisbee class/play in the park
- Hay rides with apple and pumpkin-picking at a buffalo farm
- Visiting Apple Holler and experiencing a working farm
- Hands-on presentations by zoo animal experts and guided exploration
- A holiday party and dinner including neighborhood caroling
- Bowling and other fun games at a neighborhood bowling alley
- Trip to the Shriner's Circus
The Scooter Foundation has chosen to focus its efforts on the students of Oliver Wendell Holmes School, just blocks from Scooter's last home. Statistics provided by the school have shown that those participating students have had measurable improvement in grades, and a drop in disruptive behavior. Forty-six of the students, who had been failing according to standard tests, have improved to a passing level! Participation in Foundation events is a closely checked reward for attendance, homework completion and good behavior.
Looking forward, The Scooter Foundation is expanding the scope of its activities. It began with a winter clothing drive for O. W. Holmes students,
and continues with the foundation's new focus on literacy. A series of reading circles featuring story-teller interns from UW-Milwaukee is
entertaining and educating the kids while instilling a love of reading.
The Scooter Foundation wishes to thank all its volunteers, and especially its generous supporters and event partners. These partners have provided event facilities at little and often no-charge, all because of their personal connections to Scooter and their desire to offer our kids opportunities they might otherwise never experience.
