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 Mayor Ron Littlefield and the Director of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships, Al Chapman, addressed members of Chattanooga’s faith-based and community groups, the chamber, city and county on the Summer Youth Program Thursday, May 24th.
Mayor Ron Littlefield and the Director of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships, Al Chapman, addressed members of Chattanooga’s faith-based and community groups, the chamber, city and county on the Summer Youth Program Thursday, May 24th. “We have the opportunity to hopefully change the lives of some deserving young people in our community,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “The Summer Youth Work Program can be successful and that achievement depends on all of us.” “The reality is that all kids are “at-risk” due to the peer pressure and our society’s norms,” said Al Chapman, “There are three levels of “at-risk” youth: a) the least “at-risk” who generally participate in the various community youth programs; b) the most “at-risk” who choose illegal life-styles and as a result, have to be dealt with by law enforcement agencies; and c) the middle level, which is our target population, ages 10 -18. This middle level is targeted by the older gang leaders to be “runners” or delivery boys for the street-marketing of contraband. The money these youth earn as “runners”, the “brotherhood” of the gangs and the respect of having a “job” are all things they need, but they need it in a positive setting”. The Summer Youth Program (SYP) will focus on Jobs/Work Training and Recreational-Team Building/Fun & Group Activities. It will provide something to do and a pay check, depending on their ages. There will be relationship specialists and trained mentors providing an opportunity for positive relationships. The goal is to have the youth leave with a higher respect for themselves and a knowledge of how to appropriately earn the respect of others. The Youth have been selected by teachers, principals, school resource officers and non-profit youth agencies. The Maclellan Foundation’s grant of $100,000 is being distributed to Stop the Madness, Jobs Partnership, The Racqueteers, Inner-City Ministries, Reach One, Olivet Baptist Church and Hope for Chattanooga. “We must fight the inclination to believe this is someone else’s battle. Gang activity is our problem. It is systemic, prevalent and it could make any one of us its next victim,” said Paul Green, Executive Director of Hope for Chattanooga. Contact: Steffanie Green
Telephone: (423) 755-1860
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