How Far Will You Go?

Our society today is filled with turmoil in our communities, schools, and homes. Many of our youth are being murdered, beaten up, joining gangs and incarcerated into the prison system across the country at an all-time high.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics and National Center for Education Statistics in 2010, examined crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school(http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=2231). Here are some of the current detailed statistical information on the nature of crime in schools and school environments; and responses to violence and crime at school:

• In 2008, among students ages 12 -18, there were about 1.2 million victims of nonfatal crimes at school, including 619,000 thefts and 629,800 violent crimes (simple assault and serious violent crime).

• During the school year 2007 - 08, there were 1,701 homicides among school-age youth ages 5 - 18.

• In 2009, 31 percent of students in grades 9 - 12 reported they had been in a physical fight at least one time during the previous 12 months anywhere, and 11 percent said they had been in a fight on school property during the previous 12 months.

As a society we can see that we have a big challenge on our hands and our youths need our help. Mentoring is one of the best approaches to keeping our kids safe and helping them become positive adults that will someday lead this great country. What we have to ask ourselves is, "Am I doing anything to help our kids"? If you answered, "No" take a minute and think about what life will be like 30 years from now if we don't get our kids on the right path. Even though some of us may not be here to see it, our own kids will. As a parent, relative or mentor we are always striving to provide a better life for our children. We work hard daily teaching them the right things to do, making sure they are getting their education and ensuring that they are financially stable. Well, with all the things we do to prepare them with a better life will not be much if we continue to allow crime to take place in our communities.

So, how far will you go to help our children? How far will you go to make a difference in a childs life? How far will you go to make sure when you're old and gray there will be some adult that will care for you? How far will you go to ensure that your children are protected from the dangers in society? So, how far will you go?

If you're in the Atlanta Metro area and you’re interested in mentoring a youth, please choose one of the following organizations below:

• www.bbbs.org
• www.yesatlanta.org
• www.100blackmen-atlanta.org
• www.thefatherlessgeneration.org