Community Empowerment

From Information to Operation with Video on TheEnterpriZe Channel

By Stephanie and Eric Stradford

AMWS, May 18, 2013, Smyrna, GA – Youth Achievers USA Institute joined fellow winners here to launch a new era in community empowerment. “There’s a need to move from information to operation,” said Dr. H. Ben Williams, President, Cobb County Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

The Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. put words to work in hosting their Fourth Annual Community Empowerment Summit. According to Cobb SCLC Chair, Dr. Cheryl Graves, “Delta’s here have been working to empower communities through awareness, advocacy, and action. Cobb SCLC is eager to forge partnerships.” The Delta’s focus on issues such as preserving the value of your home, improving your credit, and finding a job are fueling cooperative community strategies and igniting win-win partnerships.

Janice Mathis, Esq., a keynote speaker for this year’s Community Empowerment Summit, talks the talk for transforming rhetoric to reality. As Community Affairs Host on WAOK-AM/WXAG-AM/WVEE-FM, Mathis is no stranger to community needs. She walks the walk as Vice President of Legal Affairs for Rainbow PUSH – Atlanta, and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s National Social Action Commission.

The Summit, designed to “move the community toward stability and growth,” will need to engage Mathis and other advocates more frequently to ensure goals and visions become measurable programmatic reality. “The goal is to empower the underserved in the community, particularly, during times of economic crisis and instability,” said Patsy A. Pattman, president of Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Pattman has presided over the enterprising chapter for the last four years.


First Vice President Wilma Z. Davis is the chapter’s president-elect. Davis’ experience in developing and managing community programs identifies a key community asset for operating in decency and order.
The movement from information to operation will require unprecedented cooperation within and beyond partnering organizations. “We must further explore the concept that empowerment of all key players is necessary to stabilize growth,” said Davis.

The evolution from information to operation will need to build on the understanding of credit scoring systems and actually improve credit scores at the same time. Chapter member Patricia Mack, an investment specialist at PNC Bank, brings a wealth of experience and resources to address long-term economic challenges.

As a member of the Marietta Roswell Alumnae Chapter (MRAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mack and others will need to consider innovative economic programs to create significant positive impact in the Cobb, Cherokee, and North Fulton counties. Some key areas for economic program development include:

DSTMRAC 2012 Annual Report

Valuing our youth, fostering economic empowerment among families and businesses, qualifying community members to purchase a home and/or preserve its value in today’s economy, and identifying actual revenue generating opportunities to include jobs.

Deltas have been empowering women to empower their communities for 100 years. Founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.

A sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college educated women, the Sorority currently has over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea.

The sorority programs are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrusts

- Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

To learn more, go to www.dstmrac.com

Interactive reports courtesy of The American Mentor Wire Service, Youth Achievers USA Institute. For more information, www.YouthUSA.net/AMWS

Destination Wally World?

By Eric and Stephanie Stradford

AMWS April 29, 2013, Atlanta -- At the Ray of Hope Christian Center, Michael and Cassandra Curtis mapped a pathway for betroved brides and brethren to a destination they dubbed, “Wally World.” Cassandra brings to a winners’ knowledge base an earned Bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science from National Louis University. The couple adds value to nine weeks of counseling with time-tested methods and models for successful marriage.

Ray of Hope Pastor Reverend Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, ministers her Decataur, GA congregation to "impact and transform this present world into the Kingdom of God." Ray of Hope is well known for its Housing, Healthcare and Education Initiatives. The ministry is recognized in the book, Excellent Protestant Congregations: Guide to Best Places and Practices.

Among the believers in Dr. Hale's flock is an emerging leader, distinguished by her written vision of her own future. Yvonne R. Griswold, a 2007 winner at THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, is nationally recognized as a community asset where she chooses to live, learn, work and worship. Lifelong Mentors characterize her starting point for a preconceived destination as “Money-n-the-Bank.” Griswold’s claim as “a winner” is backed by Youth Achievers USA Institute, the national 501c3 public charity sponsor of economic security strategies and Positive Youth Development programs.

Yvonne is one of 88 Americans valued in a corporate vision of the future. That vision builds on the past and sets an economic value for America’s future. The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP), a collaboration of twelve federal departments and agencies that support youth, refer to the common vision as “positive youth development, an intentional, pro-social approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths' strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.”

Griswold’s professional service on the YouthUSA national board of directors and as an economist for the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development, offers evidence of value in her Spiritual, Physical, Social, Financial, Educational, Professional and Recreational goals.

Griswold’s betroved, Matthew McNeil said he was most impressed when he “googled” his future bride and learned of her Money-n-the-Bank goals. His own humble spirit and quiet strength builds on a vision for winners shared by family, friends and the couple’s chosen marital mentors.

Last night’s event marked the end of a nine week premarital course at Ray of Hope, and the continuation of a lifelong mentoring relationship enjoyed by Yvonne as a YouthUSA beneficiary. Two new prospective applicants won a chance to win a chance with YouthUSA. A room filled with caring adults at Ray of Hope will likewise win a chance to be the whole village that raises winners.

Are You A Winner?

2013 Candidates press for the prize

By Stephanie and Eric Stradford

AMWS, April 17, 2013, Atlanta – Youth Achievers USA Institute, sponsor of THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS, today launched its 2014 invitation for entries. Americans ages 7-24 qualify for national participation in the organization’s economic capacity building program. April 15^th is the annual deadline for entry. A free downloadable application worksheet at www.YouthUSA.net engages a “Whole Village” in the Positive Youth Development of one American Future.

To date, 88 Americans have qualified as corporate beneficiaries for a “fair share” in an ongoing capital campaign. Each winner has posted written goals in seven key areas of human development. The institute values a youth’s individual goals as “Money-n-the-Bank.” A grassroots community reinvestment process matches charitable contributions and social enterprise investments to create economic fellowships for qualifying youth.

Supporters of community asset building commonly refer to these measurable fellowships as “Individual Development Accounts.” As an example, under the federal Assets For Independence (AFI) program, more than 81,000 individuals have enrolled in IDAs. 60,108 accounts have been opened, depositing a total of $56,653,295 in earned income.

Applications for 2013 induction are now being reviewed by a task force of YouthUSA directors, fellow beneficiaries and registered community asset managers. YouthUSA hosts such interactive discussions at its virtual meeting place, THE CONFERENCE CENTER. Any caring adult member of an applicant’s Whole Village can add value to the youth’s vision of his or her own future as a subscriber. YOUTHUSA LIVE MEETINGS, and mobile technical assistance events augment on-demand access to ongoing discussions.

YouthUSA programs and discussions commonly support a federal government definition of Positive Youth Development. The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP), is composed of representatives from 12 federal departments and 5 federal agencies that support programs and services focusing on youth.

According to the IWGYP, Positive Youth Development is “an intentional, pro-social approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths' strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.”

Caring adult members of any Whole Village can post congratulatory comments for any of YouthUSA’s current or pending winners. These comments reflect individual and collective interest by the Whole Village, and may add value to YouthUSA’s corporate interest in a particular beneficiary.

2013 APPLICANTS SHOULD LOOK FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS VIA EMAIL

CARING ADULTS PLEASE POST CONGRATULATORY COMMENTS BELOW

South Fulton Youth Get Money-n-the-Bank

By Eric and Stephanie Stradford

AMWS March 23, 2013, Atlanta -- Sam Logan and Reginald Johnson were two of four men at today’s parking lot summit. The two were quick to identify themselves as parents of young boys and as professionals in the American workforce. In another place at another time, an observer might have been threatened by their presence, and surely put off by the range of concerns being addressed at their parking lot summit.

More than a handful of concerned parents and caring adults weathered early morning showers to engage historically disadvantaged boys as “Leadership Fellows.” Logan and Johnson are part of a parent support group for Fulton County’s Youth Leadership Academy for Boys. The program seeks to empower young males to become effective leaders.

Youth Achievers USA Institute National Director, Yvonne Griswold, an economist for the federal government, is connecting local efforts such as the Leadership Academy to economic opportunities. Her team develops partnerships with local organizations and institutions to access economic resources available to American communities. She learned about the Leadership Academy through a friend who expressed “interest” in her Money-n-the-Bank goals.

Griswold’s lifelong fellowship with YouthUSA empowers her to provide economic leadership where she believes the need is greatest. Her own “interest” in South Fulton County youth draws immediate regional and national attention to economic security needs of local youth.

“Every YouthUSA beneficiary counts as a community asset where he or she lives, learns, works and worships,” said Griswold. “Economically, asset building should be just a matter of targeting investments to developing assets. The day we begin to economically value our youth is the day we begin to economically secure America’s future.”

Youth Achievers USA Institute is a national 501c3 public charity that promotes Positive Youth Development through asset building. The YouthUSA mission is to build capacity around youth ages 7-24 empowering them to believe and achieve THEIR spiritual, physical, social, financial, educational, professional and recreational goals.

YouthUSA’s proprietary programs provide opportunities for caring adults to engage youth in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths' strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.

What a Fellowship

By Eric Stradford

Economic Security alternatives to Violence/Gun Control

AMWS, February 17, 2013, Atlanta -- A creditable threat to America’s national security hinges from a nation divided. On one side, citizens are “Organizing For Action” in support of the nation’s constitutionally elected executive leadership. Opposition, stemming from the right, wants to keep things pretty much the way things have been, or in other words, resist change.

At ground zero, the Second Amendment to the Constitution – a right to bear arms for anyone who can afford to legally purchase, license and secure one or more weapons. Citizens who cannot afford to legally “secure the blessings of liberty,” either acquire weapons illegally or pursue other economic security options.

Music teacher Anthony J. Showalter, in 1887, perhaps set to music a course for common vision charted by Elisha A. Hoffman in his enduring inspirational hymn, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine.” Showalter, after hearing from two friends whose wives had died, asked Hoffman to write the lyrics:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

The song, featured in the 1943 movie The Human Comedy, starring Mickey Rooney, was nominated for Academy Awards in five categories, including Best Picture and Best Actor. William Saroyan won Best Original Story for the film. Over the years a diverse cadre of ministers and performers have added value to the hymn’s central theme, trust.

Citizens on both sides of America’s economic security dilemma perhaps grew up humming Showalter’s tune without fully valuing the wisdom in Hoffman’s lyrics, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”

As early as 1871, the issue of Gun Control was being addressed by the U.S. Congress. Dismayed by the lack of marksmanship shown by their troops, Union veterans Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate formed a fellowship of sorts known today as the National Rifle Association. The primary goal of the association would be to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to a magazine editorial written by Church.

Since its inception, the NRA has been widely recognized as a major political force and lauded as the premier firearms education organization in the world. "They're good citizens,” a former aide to President Bill Clinton once commented. “They call their congressmen. They write. They vote. They contribute. And they get what they want over time," said George Stephanopoulos.

Among the best lessons to draw from the NRA is its practice of reinvesting historic values in America’s future. They choose 45 high school sophomores and juniors from across the United States each year to travel to the nation’s capital, where they participate in the weeklong educational opportunity. The Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) encourages young adults to become active and knowledgeable U.S. citizens by learning about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the federal government, and the importance of being active in civic affairs.

Since the program’s inception in 1996, more than 675 students have graduated from Y.E.S. and over $385,000 in scholarships have been awarded. Entry into the program requires submission of a completed application form, high school transcript, three-page essay on the Second Amendment, one-page personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. The application deadline is Tuesday, February 19^th.

The White House appears to be engaged in education, training, jobs and security. “After shedding jobs for more than 10 years, our manufacturers have added about 500,000 jobs over the past three,” said President Obama. “What we need to do now is simple. We need to accelerate that trend. We need to launch manufacturing hubs across the country that will transform hard-hit regions into global centers of high-tech jobs and manufacturing…. And we need to invest in the research and technology that will allow us to harness more of our own energy and put more people back to work…”

Companies in the United States that manufacture, distribute and sell firearms, ammunition and hunting equipment employ as many as 98,752 people in the country and generate an additional 110,998 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. These include jobs in companies supplying goods and services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as those that depend on sales to workers in the firearms and ammunition industry.

Industry revenues represent an economic impact of some $31,838,799,763. This does not include black market sales. The $32 billion firearms industry creates jobs, paying an average of $46,858 in wages and benefits. At the same time, supply and demand which drives the industry disproportionately impacts economically underserved Americans.

Increasing evidence of a national security threat is reflected in concerns raised by African American leaders.

1. The growth of weapon sales to African-Americans drains local funds that could be used for economic development, business investments, job creation, home ownership, savings and community empowerment.
2. The increase in gun sales in African-American communities is directly related to the lack of education, training, jobs and income.
3. More weapon sales to African-Americans create a permanent under-class for this segment of society. It results in a new form of slavery.
4. Escalating the number of deaths in the African-American community reduces their population growth.
5. The increase of crime in African-American communities destroys the historical legacy of positive values and creates a negative lifestyle in these neighborhoods.
6. The fear that was embraced by slave owners is now perpetuated by the gangs and gun owners.
7. The industry perpetuates the “have” and “have-not” mentality by implication that those who own guns can and will rule over those who do not.

It seems that the government’s need to protect citizens and the firearms industry’s desire to protect constitutional rights are close enough for compromise. An increase in manufacturing jobs appears to be in everybody’s interest. So, what can America manufacture to address lost revenue in firearms sales?

Youth Achievers USA Institute (YouthUSA), a national 501c3 public charity applies the wisdom of Elisha A. Hoffman’s “What a Fellowship,” to a win-win vision for America’s economic future. “Clearly there is a need to restore trust,” said Stephanie A. Walker Stradford, the organization’s chief executive officer. “Disadvantaged Americans are overrepresented as victims of gun violence in places where most citizens cannot afford to legally buy or maintain weapons. It is logical to ask, where are the guns coming from, how are they getting into underserved communities and who economically benefits?”

America’s faith community represents a significant force in securing the blessings of liberty. But, up to now, our problems continue to be incubated in a house divided. YouthUSA has called on faith-based friends from both ends of the gun to INCREASE THE PEACE where they live, learn, work and worship.

Each year since 1996, YouthUSA has hosted THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS program to qualify beneficiaries age 7-24 from across the United States. The organization partners with communities of faith on grants and contracts to support Main Street, USA economic initiatives. The ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE program calls for projects that invest in economically disadvantaged Americans. YouthUSA hopes to qualify “fellows” to participate in conversations that impact their economic future.

The Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) is a national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners in several markets across the country to bring all unbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream.

The banking industry can and must do more to fulfill its obligations under Community Reinvestment laws. Too many banks find it too easy to say no instead of let’s try.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system, established this “fellowship” because a significant number of people in the U.S. have little or no current relationship with a financial institution.

Economic barriers, such as lack of funds to carry account balances and bank fees; structural barriers (e.g., prior bad experiences, ChexSystems, lack of sufficient ID); and experiential barriers (unfamiliarity and distrust of banks) are the most common reasons for being unbanked. The unbanked and under-banked rely on a mix of non-bank money service providers and will pay the high fees with these alternative providers in exchange for the convenience and ease in cashing checks, paying bills and accessing cash.

By accessing the mainstream financial system, these households can build savings and improve their credit-risk profiles in order to lower their cost of payment services, eliminate a common source of personal stress, and gain access to basic financial services that promote asset accumulation.

$500,000 Grant Award

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is designed to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in crime associated with gang and gun violence, and violent offenders. The program's effectiveness is based on the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies engaged in a unified approach led by the U.S. Attorney (USA) in each district. The USA is responsible for establishing a collaborative PSN task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement and other community members to implement gang and gun crime enforcement, intervention and prevention initiatives within the district. Through the PSN task force, the USA will implement the five design features of PSN—partnerships, strategic planning, training, outreach, and accountability—to address specific gun and gang crime, and violent offenders, in the most violent neighborhoods.

Details on the five design features (also referred to as core elements) can be found later in this grant announcement and online. The Department of Justice has transitioned the PSN program from a formula-based allocation of funding to a competitive-based program. In a competitive environment, “need” and use of more effective, intelligence- and data-driven strategies will be key factors for funding selections, in addition to performance results and other factors. Therefore, grant awards for FY 2013 will be made through a competitive process to encourage and focus funding in high-performing and evidence-based programs where the need is greatest and where the most violent neighborhoods, within districts, are being addressed. Funding for this initiative is anticipated through the FY 2013 appropriation.

SEE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT

PARTNER WITH YOUTHUSA

Broken Promise

How will America keep its children safe?

by Stephanie and Eric Stradford

AMWS, December 17, 2012, Atlanta – Twenty more American children are being mourned this week. They and six of their teachers were slain Friday by a lone gunman. They were at “school” getting set for another day of learning in Newtown, Connecticut. To our public knowledge, no official has described Friday’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School as an act of terror. No homeland security breach has been logged. No national security threat has been alleged.

Before Newtown, before Sanford, before Virginia Tech, before Columbine, before 9-11-2001, America promised safe places to learn. But America’s Promise of a safe place to learn is today another promise broken.

The President of the United States came to offer the “love and prayers” of a nation. “Our world too has been torn apart; that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you…we've pulled our children tight,” said President Obama. “Whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide; whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown -- you are not alone.”

The president’s on-site assessment of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School gave measure to a certain reality about raising 21^st Century America. “With their very first cry, this most precious, vital part of ourselves -- our child -- is suddenly exposed to the world, to possible mishap or malice. And every parent knows there is nothing we will not do to shield our children from harm,” he said. “This job of keeping our children safe, and teaching them well, is something we can only do together, with the help of friends and neighbors, the help of a community, and the help of a nation.”

A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces is perhaps among the most frustrated of American citizens. They know that something can be done. Since 2001, about 2,000 American service men and women have died in Afghanistan; in that same time period, 5,000 people have died in Chicago.

The biggest problem returning veterans face has been finding believers, or converting unbelievers before they themselves lose it. Too many Americans see raising American children as a job. We outsource the solution as “students” to teachers in 19^th century environments labeled as “schools.” But raising America, like raising the stars and stripes, is an investment in social enterprise.

In this economy that child is the GNP. Any threat on his or her life is a national security breach. Sustaining children through their holistic development answers the call for change in the business of educating a generation of lifelong learners.

Let’s face it! Tops down government can’t even fund a kept promise. So, what if we were to try a bottoms-up faith-based approach? We’ve been doing that since Jesus came and have still not fully embraced the possibilities. So, what about this new strategy? Have the wealthy pay more in taxes, engage the poor with a hand up, and restore America from the middle out.

The “measure of comfort” promised by the president to a grieving nation perhaps answers the “what can be done?” question. The national debate is now shifting from fiscal cliff to how we spend less to get more out of the American people. There is no shortage of resources for keeping children safe in America. But for one day, in just a few minutes, America was attacked…again. Don’t blame the first responders. Don’t blame the politicians. Don’t blame the teachers, the parents, the school bus drivers. And, don’t blame God!

Blame terror. Once the dust clears, history almost always reveals both problem and a pathway to one or more solutions. When terrorists struck on September 11, 2001, America responded with a whole new tops-down strategy.

The federal government has since spent more than half a trillion dollars on homeland security—that is, activities that detect, deter, protect against, and respond to terrorist acts occurring within the United States and its territories. The President’s request of $68.9 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security is 1.3 percent more than the amount provided for 2012. Every cabinet-level department receives homeland security funding, with the lion’s share allocated to:

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS—$35.5 billion, or 52 percent of the total homeland security request);
• Department of Defense (DoD—$17.9 billion, or 26 percent);
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS—$4.1 billion or 6 percent); and
• Department of Justice (DOJ—$4.0 billion or 6 percent).

The U.S. Department of Education currently administers a budget of $68.1 billion in discretionary appropriations (including discretionary Pell Grant funding) and operates programs that touch on every area and level of education. The Department's elementary and secondary programs annually serve nearly 16,000 school districts and approximately 49 million students attending more than 98,000 public schools and 28,000 private schools. Department programs also provide grant, loan, and work-study assistance to more than 15 million postsecondary students.

Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, it is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce United State’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur.

National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic power, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II. Initially focusing on military might, it now encompasses a broad range of facets, all of which impinge on the non military or economic security of the nation and the values espoused by the national society.

To possess national security, a nation needs to possess economic security, energy security, environmental security, etc. Security threats involve not only conventional foes such as other nation-states but also non-state actors such as violent non-state actors, and lone gunmen. Known measures to ensure national security include:

• using diplomacy to rally allies and isolate threats
• marshaling economic power to facilitate or compel cooperation
• maintaining effective armed forces
• implementing civil defense and emergency preparedness measures (including anti-terrorism legislation)
• ensuring the resilience and redundancy of critical infrastructure
• using intelligence services to detect and defeat or avoid threats and espionage, and to protect classified information
• using counterintelligence services or secret police to protect the nation from internal threats

At what point will measures of comfort, both known and unknown be applied to protecting America’s Future? At what point can America’s future value America’s Promise?