Posted on 02/11/2005 5:18:13 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
(Talon News) -- First Lady Laura Bush traveled to Detroit Thursday to visit a community center in a low income area of the city and talk about new proposals to help at-risk youth escape involvement with gangs.
Saying that all children need adults who care and who will listen, the first lady stressed, "Children with mentors are less likely to begin using drugs or engage in alcohol or violence, and they're more likely to go to class and stay in school."
In his State of the Union address last month, President George W. Bush announced a new initiative to encourage communities to focus on the country's most-at-risk youth, particularly boys. Studies show that boys have greater problems in school, are more likely to fall behind, and are more at risk for alcohol or drug abuse in their early and late teens.
The program called Helping America's Youth will be funded with $150 million over the next three years. The money will be spent in the inner cities where children are at the most risk. Focus will be placed on education of parents and community leaders and introduction of successful programs into areas where they are needed.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bush thanked Mike Tenbusch and Daniel Varner, founders of Think Detroit, a youth support group that "reaches approximately 6,500 young people each year through sports leagues." According to the Detroit Free Press, Think Detroit receives a minimal amount of federal funding with most coming from private or community sources.
The first lady also spoke of the movie "Coach Carter" as an example of what can be achieved by a caring adult and said that Think Detroit coaches "build character by teaching young people the four C's: confidence, composure, commitment to growth, and commitment to others."
Saying that she will visit many parts of the country over the next few months, Mrs. Bush said she hopes "to learn more about the challenges that young people face and more about what we can do to improve their lives."
The first lady also visited Philadelphia and Baltimore this past week. She expects to highlight a program in Washington, DC soon.
Copyright © 2005 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
More spending. Whatever happened to the parents? Yeah, yeah, I know, they're probably out smoking crack or something. Nonetheless, is this spending really necessary?
PING!
Sounds like the Boy Scouts - FedGov style!
Somebody needs a trip to Tolerance University. :) Hehe!
Yeah. I can graduate amond such distinguished alumni as John Rocker and Jimmy the Greek.
The "compassionate" Conservative version of midnight basketball, yea boy! Blackbird.
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