Dear Neighbors,
What do you think of when you hear "at risk youth"? I think of kids of all ages, but mostly teens out on the street because they don't have a safe place to call home, or perhaps they were thrown out of their home. I think of kids who need love and nurturing. But perhaps most of all they need to know that someone cares about them. While growing up in southern California I knew kids who joined gangs because it gave them an instant family who cared about them and if they didn't have a physical home they were at home when they were with their "homies". Too often these kids got into trouble and entered a downward spiral of crime. Very sad. So much potential lost.
As I hope you know, we have youth in OUR community who are in need of a home, in need of support, in need of acceptance for who they are.
I am sleeping outside on March 21st to raise much needed funds for Spectrum Youth and Family Services. I hope that many of you, if not most/all, have heard of Spectrum. Their mission is quite simple: "Our mission is to empower teenagers, young adults, and their families to make and sustain positive changes through prevention, intervention, and life skills services.". Founded in 1970, Spectrum is a nationally recognized leader in helping youth ages 12-26 and their families turn their lives around. Each year, they serve 1,500 teenagers, young adults, and their family members. The work they do costs money. I hope that you'll help me help Spectrum by making a gift via my fund raising page by using the link below.
Support Spectrum Now...
http://give.spectrumvt.org/site/TR/Events/TeamRaiserWorkshop?px=1022968&pg=personal&[...]090
I'll leave you with a podcast that illustrates the sadness and the incredible loss of potential of just one "at risk youth". The podcast is one of my very favorites. I hope you'll listen to it. it's by acclaimed journalist, author and public speaker Malcolm Gladwell and is only 30 minutes long. And if inspired, I hope you'll give so that Spectrum can help kids like Carlos in our community.
Carlos Doesn't Remember ...
http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/04-carlos-doesnt-remember
If you've heard this podcast before, I'd like you to consider listening again. It's worthwhile. I've recently listened to it a few times.
To end on a note about Spectrum and the Sleep Out … Consider this from their website: "The event requires so few expenses that 98% of every dollar will go directly to help our youth."
I look forward to your support!
Thanks!
Geo
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