Monday, January 14, 2019

With Inner City Youth Programs Indianapolis Creates Second Chances

By Kathleen Smith


In some rural areas one often still find some sense of community but it is becoming increasingly rare. In the cities, social structures seem to be all about prestige, position and money. Nobody seems to care for others any longer. Selfishness and greed seem to be the new creed. In the process, many people fall through the cracks and a large percentage of them are young people. Nobody cares about them. However, with their inner city youth programs Indianapolis is trying to reverse the tide.

Youngsters often end up troubled and in trouble because they no longer enjoy the love and care of a family. So many parents are just too busy to pay attention to their children. These youngsters often look for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Organizations that try to help therefore often focus on creating an environment where young people feel save, worth something and cherished and where they receive encouragement.

A very large number of young people drop out of school and give up hope because they believe that they will never be given the opportunity to lead ordinary lives. Most of them do not even have rudimentary skills that can help them find employment. Some organizations recognize this need and in partnership with potential employers, they offer training courses that may just make all the difference.

Young people on the streets often develop very serious behavioral problems. They are angry and defiant, they want to be independent, they think that they have been abandoned and they therefore shun society. These young people need counseling and it is not always all that easy to convince them of that fact. They need to face all their issues and resolve to become active and productive members of society.

A very large percentage of young people on the streets are addicted to substances. For many of them, this is the only escape they have from the harsh reality. There are some caring organizations that offer excellent rehabilitation programs, but it is often very difficult to convince young addicts that they need help. Sadly, the success rate is also very disappointing.

Charities, churches and the authorities have learned long ago that no program will be of long term value of the young person concerned does not have a place to stay. To this end, several charities offer places of safety. Troubled youngsters can sleep there and they are normally given at least one decent meal a day. Other organizations often focus their efforts on the young people living at these shelters.

It is a sad fact that only a fraction of those young people that desperately need help are actually reached. There simply are not enough resources. The vast majority of desperately needy youngsters will end up living lives of crime, landing in jail or dying from violence or drug overdoses. Those trying to help them know this, but they can only do what they can within their means.

The future of the world is in the hands of the youth. Large numbers of disenfranchised young people spell serious trouble for the future. That is why every effort to help them, to guide them, to counsel them and to employ them should be supported.




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