By Connie King-Young, Mentoring Coordinator I saw a diagram recently that really got me to thinking about our youth, but at the same time it made me sad. Too often youth are written off as society’s hopeless and hapless, but they are neither. Young people are in dire need of guidance, encouragement and the tools necessary to build a successful future. These same youths are the ones who will sit in our chairs, run the businesses and make vital decisions as to what will happen to the prior generation – us. We must take a proactive part in their welfare now. Dr. Benjamin Carson, Sr. said it best during his visit to Ocala. He challenged us that the state of our youth is not one group’s problem, but everybody’s. If we train, teach and invest in them, the less money we will spend to rehabilitate and resuscitate them; either we participate on the preventive end or pay later at the penal end. The below statistics were provided by the Department of Children and Families from a study conducted in 2006. Outlined were common factors involved of families whose children who had been removed from their homes during some part of 2006. • 90% were un-churched or had no faith involvement • 88% were from single parent homes • 86% came from families with no high school or college education • 79% had unemployed parents • 71% had no formal childcare setting (latchkey kids) • 75% were not involved in the community 40 years ago Jack Eckerd, the founder of the Eckerd Drug store chain and Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. sensed a need to help at-risk youth tap into their inner strengths and talents. He began by putting them in a wilderness outdoor therapeutic environment. The organization has evolved into a continuum of care with more than 40 programs nationwide. You may have heard of the Hi-Five program in Marion County, but not sure of its purpose. The Hi-Five program is an early intervention and prevention program that teaches 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students empathy, conflict resolution, problem solving skills, and anger management. The Eckerd Mentoring Program is the latest effort of responsibility to youth. This mentoring program is unique in that it provides children of prisoners educational and relaxation opportunities outside of the classroom. The youth is matched with an adult who will model positive behavior. The mentor will spend a minimum of one hour per week for one year with the youth. I am touched by the solid response from the community. Teach a young man how to fish, or another woodworking skills, share your passion for model cars or airplanes; perhaps a young lady could learn how to quilt, explore a higher education; the sky is the limit, because all of us have so much to teach. If you are unable to mentor, please give the information to your local church or civic group. We must find a common ground and build on it. Please call (352) 445-1410 for more information.
