BEYOND SURVIVAL. This is the WISE Way.
Survival isn't the goal. Thriving is. The Winners Institute for Successful Empowerment (WISE) exists for one reason: to build leaders. We equip young people with the resilience, skills, and unwavering support they need to succeed on their own terms. We don't give answers. We build the confidence to find them.
Winners Institute for Successful Empowerment (WISE) Inc:
Hope doesn't build futures. Action does.
At WISE, we take action. We see the raw potential in every young person and equip them with the tools, mentorship, and resilience to forge their own path to success. We are building a community of empowered leaders who don't just face the future—they create it.
Potential is waiting. Let's unlock it together. Join us.
“I recently had knee surgery, with two months of downtime. I’d been working with adults but really wanted to get back to helping kids to realize their potential and be a positive influence in our community,” Vanhook said. “After my surgery, I started back riding a bike, and it clicked. I wanted local kids to experience the freedom and exhilaration that riding a bike can bring. Plus, you don’t have to be an athlete to ride a bike, you just have to have some coordination.”
Founder, Tavores Vanhook, Burlington, NC
Welcome to Wheelergy! — Where Wheels Meet Energy.
Wheelergy! is for every young person with a desire to explore, lead, and connect with their community—all from the seat of a bike. We're not just riding; we're building momentum. We're learning the discipline of the road to build the discipline for life.
What You'll Do:
Ride with Confidence & Purpose!
This is where you master your machine and your mindset. You won't just learn to ride; you'll learn to lead the pack.
Master the Rules: Learn bike safety and traffic laws from trained adult mentors who ride right alongside you.
Explore Your World: Join organized group rides that take you through new neighborhoods and communities, expanding your map and your perspective.
Ride Safe, Ride Strong: We ensure every rider is equipped with the right safety gear and guidance for a fun, secure, and empowering group experience.
Become a Community Leader
A bike can be a powerful tool for change. Wheelergy! puts that tool in your hands.
Make a Real Impact: Participate in community events like charity rides, safety fairs, and local clean-up projects.
Step Up and Lead: Help plan and execute group rides and events, developing real-world leadership and decision-making skills.
Your Ride is Waiting: The Wheelergy! FREE BIKE Program
We believe a lack of a bike should never be a barrier to opportunity. Through dedicated participation in the Wheelergy! Bike Club, students in 5th-12th grade can earn a bike of their own, for free.
This isn't a handout; it's a milestone you'll achieve through commitment, discipline, and community engagement.
Ready to Roll?
The Wheelergy! Bike Club is open to all students from 5th to 12th grade. No experience is necessary—just the energy and desire to move.
Join the movement today and discover the power in your own two wheels.
The Hold 2 Initiative: Strengthening Fatherhood, Elevating Communities
The Hold 2 Initiative is a simple, powerful commitment: be a great father to your own child, and extend that same support to one other child in our community who needs a positive role model.
It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about shared experiences—an extra ticket to the movies, one more spot on a trip to the park, or simply a listening ear at a ball game. It's about showing up consistently and proving that positive guidance can change a life.
This is more than a program; it's a movement. By doubling our impact, one child at a time, we create a ripple effect of stability, confidence, and hope that strengthens families and elevates our entire community.
Be the Man They Remember.
This is more than a slogan—it's the legacy you build with every action. It’s the choice to be present, to be a guide, and to be a source of strength.
Join the movement. Sign up below to get resources, encouragement, and stories of impact from the Hold 2 Initiative.
Headline: Rolling Up Our Sleeves, Again: WISE Inc. Makes a Splash at the 2025 Haw River Clean-Up
BURLINGTON, NC (March 29, 2025) – For the second year in a row, action spoke louder than words along the banks of the creek at the Mayco Bigelow Center. The dedicated team of WISE Inc. volunteers—our young leaders and adult mentors—rolled up their sleeves for the Haw River Assembly's 35th Annual Clean-Up-A-Thon, demonstrating a powerful commitment to their community.
This wasn't just about cleaning a creek; it was a hands-on lesson in leadership. Our young people didn't just see a problem—they became the solution. With energy and determination, they worked together to remove debris and restore the natural beauty of this important local waterway.
The work reaffirmed a core WISE principle: true civic engagement means taking ownership. It’s about understanding that we all have the power to create positive change, right here in our own backyard.
The work itself was a discovery. While this year’s haul was a familiar collection of everyday trash and debris, pulling it from the waterway was a powerful lesson. It served as a stark reminder of our collective impact and reinforced the importance of taking hands-on responsibility for our shared community spaces.
By the end of the day, the change was visible—not just in the cleaner creek, but in the pride and sense of accomplishment on the faces of every participant.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work and community spirit shown by our entire team of volunteers. This is what our mission looks like in action, and we are already looking forward to our third year in 2026.
VISION & MISSION: L.O.V.E.
Vision: L.O.V.E. Youth Crew Program empowers Greensboro area youth, ages 5-15, by equipping them with essential life skills, fostering community engagement, and facilitating outdoor recreational experiences. Mission: L.O.V.E. Youth Crew Program is dedicated to guiding Greensboro’s youth, ages 5-15, through interactive learning experiences that build essential life skills, deepen community connections, and cultivate a love for nature. By engaging in dynamic activities—from community service projects to outdoor adventures—participants gain confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose that empowers them to thrive both within their communities and beyond. Life Skills Outdoor Experience Volunteer Opportunities Empowerment
A Young Leader Emerges In Zion Walker!
Walker, who has committed to play college ball at Mount Saint Mary’s University, said of his NIL partnership with Wheelergy!, “I feel it is important to get kids outside and meet new friends and see new places, instead of staring at their electronic devices all day.”
“I want to use my status for good,” he said. “I love this community and am excited about just being with the kids and hope to bring light, joy, positivity, peace, all while bringing kids from different neighborhoods and of different races together. I just love kids.”
Vanhook said that Walker is more than just a basketball player.
“He has a very high character and cares about his community. We are proud to have him as a mentor and ambassador,” Vanhook said..
By Robby Nelms Times-News Staff Writer
Empowerment Through Education
The W.I.S.E. program will offer an array of exceptional services that are designed to produce favorable outcomes.
Take the First Step Towards Empowerment with WISE
At WISE, we believe in promoting positive asset building and considering young people as resources. Our mission is to provide youth with the tools and support they need to be successful and resilient in overcoming adversity. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help.
READY TO BUILD WITH US?
Every leader's journey starts with a single step. Join the WISE movement and help us equip the young people who will shape tomorrow.