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| Vision Youth |
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Youth outreach worker Robin Smith works through local schools to develop relationships with young people in need of mentors who can help them develop strong life skills and the ability to make good choices. |
Bringing Hope to Young People and Their Communitiest |
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Melanie was having a bad day, but it wasn’t worse than most for the struggling 13-year-old middle schooler.
An argument with her social studies teacher over bringing a book bag to class started her troubles. Unable to articulate her defense without anger and hurt, she ended up in the principal’s office, where she ran into John Watson, a Vision Youth outreach worker. John volunteers in the school, where he meets and builds relationships with youngsters like Melanie.
After talking to a sullen Melanie, John learned she carries her book bag to class because she can’t afford the small fee to rent a locker. She lives with her mom and four brothers and sisters in an abandoned trailer park. It’s been some time since her mom had a job. Every day is hard for this family, which struggles to find adequate shelter, food, and clothing. Melanie’s clothing was embarrassingly worn, and on some days, she missed school because she literally had nothing to wear. The stress of her living conditions was leading to despair and academic failure. Any hope she had for her future was fading.
The Need
According to 2000 Census Bureau data, 36.4 percent of Albany-area children live in poverty (43.6 percent of children younger than 5), making them more likely to become teen parents or victims of violent crimes. An alarming 51.5 percent of female-headed families with children also live below the poverty line.
Vision Youth is World Vision’s response to the unforgiving cycle of poverty in Albany. It is a youth-focused initiative that builds relationships between young people and their neighborhoods and creates strong local leaders among youth to bring hope to impoverished communities. According to the Juvenile Mentoring Program Report to Congress, high-risk youth who are involved with at least one caring adult are more likely to withstand a range of negative influences.
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