thetalk says:
one solution would be for young men to have or be given the audio book 'A Point of Reference' 'the talk'. The audio book talks about many of the issues young men face, sex, relationships, money, jobs, personal responsibility. All of these topics need to be stressed to young men today. Please visit www.thetalk.us for more info. The more our young men know, the less they don't know.


Source: www.thetalk.us
Answered 11 months, 3 weeks ago

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askdiana says:
I know you mentioned going into Senior homes, and nursing centers might be "already done" and not the kind of thing you intended, and I like your previous answer to this question AND your question as well, but I just wanted to say a couple of things:

A few years ago with one church I was involved with, we went Christmas caroling to some of these homes for Seniors. One of our coordinators set up the event prior to our arrival so the folks that wanted to hear us all gathered in one room for us to perform. I was amazed at how RARE that had actually been for them! Some...even asked us to go to so-and-so's residence on our way out and do the same thing...bring some Christmas cheer. It made EVERYONE happy, and I've kept that memory like it was yesterday ever since.

I moved since then and the church I'm involved with now has a program that takes pets into homes for some loving. There are proven studies that show petting pets helps reduce high blood pressure among other beneficial benefits, but the animals have to be well behaved (obviously) and there are guidelines to have your animal participate. Mine couldn't since she gets too excited and could inadvertently hurt someone.

Those are just a couple of thoughts -- please also ready my question and respond. :)

Good luck!

Answered 11 months, 3 weeks ago

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Brodiem says:
Your question can be answer in several parts. First, what communities are you targeting to be served? Each community has different needs. In Utica, NY for example, the most severe problems in the african american communities is rampant ignorance; poor math and reading skills causing overall poor performance of the people in that community to sustain themselves. Maybe an extracurricular program focused on junior high school children designed to generate interest in Science and Mathematics. In another community where there is more variety of job opportunities job counseling with an angle that shows that money can be made in other areas besides hip hop and professional basketball.

There is a slave mentality that exist in many lower income black communities. Your scholars have to overcome the belief that success other than professional sports and hip hop music is the domain of white people.

Here's another suggestion. Throughout the African American Community is a fear of "profiling" by local police. As a retired police officer I can tell you that what make many African Americans vulnerable to excessive police scrutiny is ignorance of the laws, especially traffic laws. Many states offer "traffic schools" that are voluntary to attend. The motivation is a reduction in points on the license, or a discount in insurance rates. I have taught these classes in New York State and I saw less than 5% attendance by african american people, and those that did attend were court ordered to go. These courses taught what how the laws work, why the laws were written, and how to avoid getting in trouble. Perhaps you can obtain a grant or cooperations from the DMV in the state you want to do this project to train your scholar to teach this course and then conduct classes. The hard part is getting butts in the seats. Black folks don't see the value of getting an insurance discount and better understanding how laws are enforced. Maybe outreach to the community should be part of the program.


Answered 11 months, 3 weeks ago

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dellarae says:
I believe that it is lack of education. But there are a lot of kids that have a lot of potential to succeed, but don't have enough self esteem, being misguided and no one to push them to greatness. They see so much negative stuff and not much in the community to look up to . They are afraid of success, afraid of succeeding and then failing and ending up right back at point A. I love that famous quote "Our deepest fear isn't that we're inadequet. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselfs, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous talented and fabulous? Actually, Who are you not to be. We were born to make manifest, the glory of God that is within us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to do the same." Now it would be great to do something with the youth and have the college students show them that it's o.k. and they can do it. Show them around campus and let them see a positive light out side their circumstances. Then maybe they will see that it's cool to be smart and self love is key. And it's o.k. to be afraid, but don't let fear keep them from greatness, and their full potential of life. Don't let their family problems and living situation predict and write them off as part of the rotating cycle of accepting the cards that was dealt to her mother ,her mothers mother, etc. It's a big world full of fun and enjoyable journeys, just choose wisely.

Answered 11 months, 2 weeks ago

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