 One
of the most visible characteristics of our inner city is the great
numbers of young men who have very little, if any, positive life
direction. The Young Adult Men of Trenton Initiative is a process to
reach out to those men. It actually began 6 years ago when a few of the
men started to work on the truck used to pick up used furniture for
resale in the community. We demanded of these men that if they wanted to
earn a stipend working with us, then they had to continue their
education both for a high school diploma and vo tech trade skills. Since
then we have developed a larger and more comprehensive process. We have
a residency which supports 5 of the men. We have developed a support
fund so that they can get transportation, housing, and clean up their
legal problems. The dynamics of this process is the constant interaction
with the men every day so that they can learn how to deal with all of
the confusion and hostility that are part of this community. The
ultimate goal is to prepare the men so that as they become adults they
will be able to face the
challenges they meet and be able to support themselves and their
families. |
