IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Why is there so much crime in our cities? pretty broad question, right? we can all come up with several different answers off the tops of our heads-drugs, pverty, mental health issues, etc. However, let's look a little deeper. What are the circumstances that led to the aforementioned reasons?
We need to examine what happened to these offenders in their youth to cause them to offend. Did they grow up with violence all around them? In their communities? In their households? The youth today have seen a lot more than they should and have many influencers that are leading them down the wrong path.
So many of our young people are growing up in violence, and view this as the norm, therefore, adopting the idea that violence is an acceptable means to an end. In most cases, there are not enough positive role models, supervision or both to keep these young people on the right path. So many kids 'fall through the cracks' and don't get the preventative services needed to help them through the turmoil.
Unfortunately, here are not enough governmental programs available to provide the necessary services for these kids, and the services that are available are grossly under-funded and under-staffed. Private agencies do the best they can, but again, financing is a key issue for them as well.
What we really need is more people from the community to step in and volunteer to mentor. I know it's not an easy thing to ask people to give their time for such a program, but OUR kids need our help. It can be as simple as getting with the Pastor of your church and starting a mentoring program. There are also some great national mentoring programs out there, however, cost and availability are huge barriers for some. Another suggestion would be to contact your local Boys/Girls Club to see if they have a mentoring program, or if they would be interested in starting one.
http://steveharveymentoring.com/
http://familyguidance.net/programs/mentoring/church-based-mentoring/
http://www.lifeway.com/Article/ministry-Starting-a-Mentoring-Program-in-a-Smaller-Church
One of the greatest (and one of my favorite) sayings is 'It Takes A Village'. Our society needs to get back to this concept. I believe that if more people were looking out for out young people, and each other, on a daily basis, we wouldn't have as many probelms as we do. There are many of us, of a certain age, that can recall the days that you better not be seen acting out by someone who knew your family. You would be chastised where you stood, and the news of your misbehavior would beat you home, only to be in trouble all over again.
This is the type of community involvement we need to get back to in order to save our children and keep them on the path to success and prosperity. Believe me, I know you can't just say anything to some of these kids today, that could possible start World War III, however, we need to put some type of effort in to help these kids. Where did 'Big Mama' go? We miss her. We NEED her. We have lost too many of our kids to the system, and they are not always getting the tools they need on the INSIDE, to be productive adults once they get back on the OUTSIDE. They just learn how to be better criminals, with no education and no marketable skills.
So, with that being said, let's think about ways we can help positively impact a child's life, even if it is just one kid at a time. A friend of your child, a kid at church, etc. There may be something you have to offer a kid who's headed the wrong way. Perhaps you could be the one to make them see that there is a better way.
This is a forum that is meant to provoke thought and discussion. I welcome ALL feedback, and would love to hear your thought/opinions/suggestions.
Please COMMENT/LIKE/SHARE. Let's get a conversation started!
LMLee
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