http://www.ranchocordovapost.com/2009/06/23/you-provide-the-job-we-provide-the-wages/ Local News, Events, Things to Do Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:31:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.ranchocordovapost.com/2009/06/23/you-provide-the-job-we-provide-the-wages/comment-page-1/#comment-2728 Rick Boyd Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:20:42 +0000 http://www.ranchocordovapost.com/?p=3973#comment-2728 We are sending the message that we have hope, and are willing to invest time, money, and emotion into a group of kids who aren't used to having any of those things invested in them. I met this group of kids this week and they were great, but, most of them have not been raised in such a fashion that they have the skills to just go out and get employed. This means that we can invest a whole lot of TLC and a little money in them, and teach them the skills they need to be functioning, employed members of society, or we can have them bored and wandering the streets, I for one, would opt for the former. Here is how I see it: the program can be likened to something like Big Brothers Big Sisters (yes I know, that is a privately funded organization - hang in there with me), the goal is to fill the gap where something or someone is missing in their life and provide a level of mentorship that they would not get elsewhere. Keep in mind, those of us who are working as "employers" to these kids aren't just getting free labor, it is our job to acclamate them to the level of social skill, and general functionality that they will need to be successfull in their next position and well, life in general. These are at risk youth who need all the help they can get from our community - if this is what we have to give them right now, lets give it to them! You might note, "drop out" is not a permanent, or inhibiting condition. I should know, I am thirty years old, have a successful career, a great family, actively particpate in my community and graduated class of 2002. You can do the math! :0) We are sending the message that we have hope, and are willing to invest time, money, and emotion into a group of kids who aren’t used to having any of those things invested in them. I met this group of kids this week and they were great, but, most of them have not been raised in such a fashion that they have the skills to just go out and get employed. This means that we can invest a whole lot of TLC and a little money in them, and teach them the skills they need to be functioning, employed members of society, or we can have them bored and wandering the streets, I for one, would opt for the former. Here is how I see it: the program can be likened to something like Big Brothers Big Sisters (yes I know, that is a privately funded organization – hang in there with me), the goal is to fill the gap where something or someone is missing in their life and provide a level of mentorship that they would not get elsewhere. Keep in mind, those of us who are working as “employers” to these kids aren’t just getting free labor, it is our job to acclamate them to the level of social skill, and general functionality that they will need to be successfull in their next position and well, life in general. These are at risk youth who need all the help they can get from our community – if this is what we have to give them right now, lets give it to them! You might note, “drop out” is not a permanent, or inhibiting condition. I should know, I am thirty years old, have a successful career, a great family, actively particpate in my community and graduated class of 2002. You can do the math! :0)

]]> http://www.ranchocordovapost.com/2009/06/23/you-provide-the-job-we-provide-the-wages/comment-page-1/#comment-2703 frank Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:24:26 +0000 http://www.ranchocordovapost.com/?p=3973#comment-2703 My neighbors child went down to apply. Unless you are a drop out, juvenile delinquent, recently got out of jail or are a unwed mother don't even bother applying. Unfortunately she was a good student with no behavior problems. What message are we giving the high school students? My neighbors child went down to apply. Unless you are a drop out, juvenile delinquent, recently got out of jail or are a unwed mother don’t even bother applying. Unfortunately she was a good student with no behavior problems.
What message are we giving the high school students?

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