Family is the basic building block of our society and the well being of our children is the most important factor for any community to exist and grow. The overall deterioration of our community is directly linked to the general decline of the family structure. For many young people, the concept of a supportive family life has been considerably damaged due to the significant number of children growing up in very dysfunctional situations. When families are unstable with absent or habitually preoccupied parents, it is nearly impossible for children to learn proper values. This type of parental neglect affects children for the rest of their lives and it ultimately affects our entire community. Many of negative issues affecting our community can be contained and reversed if there was more of an emphasis on improving our families. In order for our children to meet the challenges of tomorrow, families must provide children with motivation, morals, encouragement and leadership - today. The only way for our community to have thriving neighborhoods, a considerable crime reduction, and better schools is by making an extensive investment in the well being of our youth.

Children learn their moral values mainly within their families by relying on their parents as role models. But the responsibility of adult modeling doesn't simply end with parents; it includes the extended family as well. Uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins all have the ability to play a major role in a child's upbringing. As a family member, raising a child is all of our responsibility… it always has been.

"The concept of mentoring is a simple one, but mobilizing our community and recruiting mentors takes a continuous flow of creative energy and commitment."

Many of our elected officials have failed to rally the community to work on improving the central issues that affect a healthy family. Again, the focus must be on the youth. In helping our youth become well rounded individuals, elected officials should focus on collaborative programs that promote the value of learning while emphasizing life skills training, conflict resolution, and effective communication. Many of the programs can be successfully conducted by utilizing a combination of community volunteers which includes faith-based collaborations, non-profits and other organizations.

Mentoring is also crucial to child development because. mentors not only help children gain confidence, but national research shows that children with strong positive role models do better in school and are less likely to begin using drugs or alcohol. These young people are also less likely to commit illegal and/or violent acts. Research has shows that mentored youth often have better attitudes toward school and a reduction in substance abuse and other negative behaviors therefore it is an important strategy for success. The concept of mentoring is a simple one, but mobilizing communities and recruiting mentors takes a continuous flow of creative energy and commitment.

"Help parents develop parenting skills to meet the basic obligations of family life and foster conditions at home which emphasize the importance of education and learning." Proper parenting often finds a parent taking actions that the child doesn't like, but is in their best interest. In no other area is this more prevalent than in the realm of education.

Our elected officials should establish and support programs that help adults develop parenting skills to meet the basic obligation of family life and foster conditions at home which emphasize the importance of education and learning. Because a quality education serves as the means to develop oneself mentally, socially and emotionally, it not only aids in the development of child's personality but also plays a major role in determining their future.

http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1632631/k.3195/Our_Impact.htm

http://www.childtrends.org/files/MentoringBrief2002.pdf