Archive for January, 2009
Our Greatest Resource at Risk
By: Steve Woolrich
When we talk about resources today most of us automatically think about our environment and the many risks we face in the future. Let’s shift gears for a moment and think about our greatest resource, our youth! Yesterday, I attended the “Youth at Risk” planning meeting with more than 135 participants including the organizers, community stakeholders, youth workers and naturally, some of our local youth. It was a moving experience and one that would get anyone with a pulse excited. Why? Because it’s this type of event that brings everyone together in collaboration and encourages new ideas and a vision for the future of our youth and our community.
So what is the definition of “High Risk Youth”? For this event it was defined as follows:
Young people whose family circumstances, lifestyle, genetic characteristics and/or behaviors create a higher than average risk of significant problems, including those youth who are homeless.
The opening prayer, Mayor Flewwelling’s remarks, video presentations and various group activities during the course of the day were inspiring. However, more inspiring yet were the youth in attendance and the thoughts they shared with us. It was clear to me that their vision is why I believe they’re our greatest resource and we need to listen! If given the opportunity, many of these individuals will help us learn more about ourselves and our community. It’s a Win Win situation for all of us!
I could not help thinking about “A Covenant for Honoring Children” by Raffi. I offer the opening which reads “We find these joys to be self evident: That all children are created whole, endowed with innate intelligence, with dignity and wonder, worthy of respect. The embodiment of life, liberty and happiness, children are original blessings, here to learn their own song. Every girl and boy is entitled to love, to dream and belong to a loving “village”. And to pursue a life of purpose.”
Let this village be our community and let our youth be shown the unconditional love they so deserve. May this event be the springboard for change in Red Deer and beyond. May each of us be “The Face” our youth need to see on a daily basis!
No commentsResolutions for an Improved Community
By: Steve Woolrich
As we all embark on a new years journey for 2009 I spent part of my day reflecting on last year. For those that allow themselves this personal time to assess their successes and their failures it provides insight that can help each of us grow and improve as individuals. If you look at many Top 10 Lists for New Years resolutions it’s disappointing to see that we are quite selfish and many goals seem to be oriented towards ourselves, not others. While there is nothing wrong with self-improvement it would be nice to find more of a balance between what we do for ourselves and what we could do for others. Think of the impact each of us could have if half of these resolutions were community-oriented.
I‘ve always been community-oriented and it’s a great feeling. For most of my professional life I worked as an employee whose job was to protect assets and minimize losses for large successful organizations. My employers generally supported my passion and allowed me the opportunity to share my experience. I often found myself participating on community advisory committees and boards that were focused on policing issues and crime prevention. It was interesting but more importantly it was rewarding.
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