Our Team
Tom Cramer
Executive Director
Project Kindred
Tom was born and raised in Milwaukee. He grew up attending YMCA Camp Minikani. His experience there changed his life, and set him on a trajectory to pursue a career in youth development. He studied English Education at the University of Minnesota, and then moved back to Milwaukee to serve in an Americorps position for Playworks Wisconsin, a nonprofit that aims to bring safe and healthy play to children in high need elementary schools. Since then he has worked as the Camp Director at YMCA Camp Minikani, Dean of Students at Northwest Catholic school, and Program Manager at Playworks Wisconsin. He loves to read, go for bike rides, and cook food for friends.
Jacarrie Car
Executive Director
Jacarrie Kicks for Kids
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Jacarrie has a heart for helping the city’s youth. While he was an undergraduate at UWM ,he started Jacarrie Kicks For Kids, a program that collects, and distributed free, clean, comfortable shoes for students of Milwaukee Public School. Since 2014 hundreds of families has benefited from his foresight and generosity. His organization continues to expand providing Milwaukee your with mentoring from individuals who believe in their potential. Jacarrie accomplished all of this while working full time and managed to receive both his Bachelors and Master’s Degree.
Allen Ruppel
Founder
Unity in Motion
Allen Ruppel is the founder of Unity in Motion and served as the organization’s Executive Director for the first 20 years. He is currently serving as Development Director. Al is a U.S Navy veteran and navigation team member of the 5th nuclear submarine to circumnavigate the world. Al earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduating Summa Cum Laude. In April 2000, Al founded Unity in Motion. Al built the program from a karate class to a non-profit corporation that works with Milwaukee central city youth starting as early as K4 and supports them all the way through post-secondary education offering numerous programs and services. He did this while working full-time for 15.5 years at Northwestern Mutual in various management level positions. In 2008, Unity in Motion became incorporated and in 2010, Al became the full-time Executive Director. He is also the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Hope Christian Schools network and a member of the Board of Directors for the Center for Urban Teaching.