The "village" is currently not in working order. There was a time when you could send your children outside to play, safely. There was a time when children could walk to school, safely. There was a time when neighbors were just as responsible for one another's children, and would ensure the safety of each child. 

As gun violence continues, will LaPierre and the NRA recommend Armed Guards on Firetrucks or arm Firemen with guns- as if firemen don't have enough to worry about and carry? Well, they're talking about armed guards in schools, and arming teachers with guns. Both sound just as foolish as the other!

Two Fire Fighters loss their lives due to being ambushed and shot by an x-convict in Webster, a town in Upstate New York? Every time there's gun fire, will more guns be the answer?

How long will we continue to allow this foolishness? We, the people, still have the power.... November 6th, 2012 proved this to be so.

Our gift to our children will be to put all egos aside and help build Youth Depots now!!! While we work on school reform, while we wait on the "bush cows and elephants" to fight over gun laws, while we wait for decisions regarding the economy, while we continue to talk about safety and school reform, we have an answer- we all collectively have the power to provide and act on right now.

The power lies within each of us, but only when we act on it together will this great power be manifested: Build Youth Depots.

In short, the Youth Depot is the answer and solution to the social ills in society that plague and negatively affect our youth and disable too many from academically achieving their best; this includes, but are not limited to Gang Violence, Bullying, Obesity, HIV and AIDS, Unwanted Teen Pregnancy, High School Dropout, economic disadvantages, and other ills that hinder advancement. 

We must build Youth Depots as a reformation of the village that is needed to raise our children effectively, support parents, serve the community, build vocational skills, and subsequently promote social advancement. While we work on Real Education Reform, our teens need an outlet where they can grow and learn as well as have a safe and empowering space outside of their homes and schools. Since 3pm – 7pm on school days are nationally known to be the times when teens engage in negative activities, then we must provide a space that promotes engagement in positive activities as well as equip them with the tools and techniques necessary to be excellent students and productive dynamic citizens.

To add, here in New York City, it is being reported that only 29% of high school students are prepared for college; yet the NYC School System has been used as an example for improvement for other school systems in our nation. In spite of this dismal report, my organization, CodyCares, has an 100% rate of college enrollment and readiness among our clients. Our success is due to empowering the whole child.

In the video from the Black Male Initiative Educational Summit in August 2012, one of the panelist mentioned how mental health issues, as well as social issues, are often overlooked. Also, Dr. Hrabowski, Chair of the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for African Americans, said “Even children need to be empowered…. When you can empower children… and show that you love ‘em, have high expectations… it changes the culture of their environment.” 

I say, once children feel empowered, they are better able to maneuver their learning environment no matter how good or bad it currently may be. While we continue to do what we need to do to make necessary changes to enhance educational outcomes from the top down, and promote school reform, let us also provide tools to empower students to make these changes from the ground up- so that students can also be actively engaged in reforming their own schools as well.

Ergo, “How to be Happy, A Guide to Finding True Purpose and Self empowerment” needs to be in the hands of every high school student; especially students from low-income backgrounds where schools are listed as chronically failing. This book puts Life Advisement in the hands of the reader.

In closing, a police station was just ambushed by gun fire on Friday, December 28th... There are guns and armed guards at the police station. Yet, this violence still occurred. So, how would armed teachers help to stop an ambush? An ambush that is unlikely to happen. In city and urban schools, we need more character education so children will know how to deal with conflict and other struggles; in rural and suburban schools we need more character education to counteract isolation. Problem, schools do not have the capacity to effectively deal with all of the mental health and social needs of our children. We need Youth Depots.

Professionally Yours,

Jackie Cody, Ed.D.