The level of human suffering is so deep and so widespread. God’s will cannot be altered. However, every Haitian family is in grief because someone they know, either a family member or a close friend, has been struck by this tragedy. Find an honest Haitian family and help them raise funds to send to thier family in… Haiti. We need a grassroots campaign….family to family….hand to hand.

Close translation: “I am tired, and what about the children”

Parents and teachers agree that there are four key elements a child needs to have in order to be successful.

1. Self- Discipline
2. Self - Respect
3. High self-esteem
4. An understanding of what it is to be consistent, perservere, and work
hard

These experts also agree that these four key elements begin at home and are enhanced at school. Despite the past it is time for this important partnership to begin now!

It all begins at home

You are so beautiful Black child
you are talented and gifted
You are wonderfully made by God himself
Hold your head up
Pull your pants up and cover up your thighs
know that you are loved
know that you are appreciated
Don’t give the enemy any place to worsen your dilemma
Don’t let anyone lower your low self esteem or cause you to doubt
You are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made

This could be your year to decree it and speak it
This could be the year of new beginnings
So get the move on Black child
God is faithful to perform all that He has promised to you
If you follow his lead you are his chosen
Chosen to be kings, queens, leaders, and priests
(Continue Reading …)

>спални комплекти.L. Donovan / November 10th, 2009

In its commitment to calling attention to the Obama Administration’s continued neglect of urban America, ScoopDaily has compiled a list of the 5 worst cities for urban youth. Particular attention is paid to high-school graduation rates, infant mortality rates, unemployment rates, juvenile justice incarceration, and the amount of jobs created in relation to funds received by the Recovery Act.

5. Cleveland, OH
With a high school graduation rate of 34%, the city of Cleveland has among the lowest graduation rates in the country-this according to the America’s Promise Alliance. In the most recent annual report filed by Cleveland’s Juvenile Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, a total of 11,254 “Delinquency and Unruly” cases were filed. African-American youth made up 64% of individual offenders, the highest of any minority group. Moreover, the city’s unemployment rate stands at 8.3%. After typing in Cleveland’s zip code of 44101 at Recovery.gov, over $27,000,000 in Recovery Act funds has been received, with zero jobs created to show for it.

Help for Those who Empower Others

Many of us work with others in educational and social service settings where we are required to help our youth or our clients with issues regarding self-esteem and self-worth. As we know, these are key to improving the quality of life. This article contains tips for helping those who we empower to increase their esteem, learn to appreciate their value, and improve relationships, thus; the first step to improving the quality of their lives.

How to Get More Out of a Relationship That You Value

Self Esteem is about self reflection, action, and reaction. Do you keep getting in relationships where it seems as if you’re being taken for granted–where you give, and you give, but get little or nothing in return? Are you beginning to wonder why people keep treating you this way? If so, you are probably also feeling pretty confused, sad, and are beginning to lose what little confidence you had in yourself.

(Continue Reading …)

Ripping in the Village Street
Chasing gray haired women
Running in flocks after someone to beat
Young urban girls and young urban boys
Killing, maimed, and broken
Playing with guns like they are toys

Taken into Egypt again long ago
Brought into this North Country by ship
Chained, shackled, whipped, mamas couldn’t see them grow
Stolen from the Ivory Coast
Sold for bondmen and bondwomen
Welcomed by an unsavory host

Urban youth hidden in prison houses
Standing at the heads of the street
On this corner and that
Filled with iniquity
Loved waxed colder than ice
His blood on the heads of the children of those
Who requested His life
Want no part in the blood of the lamb
Cursed in the city and cursed in the field

(Continue Reading …)

Submitted by an educator who prefers to remain anonymous.

I moved from the West Coast to a city in the Mid-West four years ago. I thought working in an inner city area would be a good place to be useful, since I love teaching children. I wanted to really help children in the inner city rumored “unteachable” in by some educators on the West Coast.

So, my family and I relocated. We eagerly awaited what great things we would experience in our new home. However, never did I ever imagine four years ago when I became part this particular urban school district that the experience I am describing would be mine. This spring a student assaulted me. The student was suspended and five days later he was sitting in my class, appearing to gloat.

Our school’s administration changed a few months prior to the incident. This new administration had no idea of student’s history, nor did they seem interested. As far as they were concerned, every child started with a clean slate when both school heads changed. However, we the teachers did not buy into that philosophy. Needless to say, we had no support. We did not matter.

One month later, a different child assaulted me again this time. I was punched in the back with a closed fist and suffered injury to my back by a muscular seventh grader. Again, this child was suspended for ten days. The board denied the expulsion of both boys as recommended.

(Continue Reading …)