Good morning, Friends.

Yes, Act Now.  Counter the devastating action.  An investment in the
Youth is preparing a better tomorrow for all.

Richard Yarl
<><><><><>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter R. Munoz <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, June 01, 1999 8:18 AM
Subject: ACT NOW! $20 million for Community Youth Grants may be cut from
state budget tod


>From: Ed Lee <[log in to unmask]> 06/01/99 09:36AM >>>
>
>Folks,
>
>As many of you know, the Governor's budget included $20 million dollars for
>Community Youth Grants. I have heard that this money is in danger of being
>cut from the budget by the Finance Committee today!
>
>I've included a brief description of the Community Youth Grants below. If
>this is a program you support, I would encourage you to contact Finance
>Committee chairs Rep. Gard and Sen. Burke. Let them know you support this
>program. I have also included below a sample letter.
>
>Ed Lee
>
>
>Representative Gard
>State Capitol
>P.O. Box 8952
>Madison, WI  53708
>266-2343
>266-7038 (fax)
>
>Senator Burke
>State Capitol
>P.O. Box 7882
>Madison, WI  53707-7882
>266-8535
>267-0274 (fax)
>
>COMMUNITY YOUTH GRANTS
>
>
>Governor Thompson is providing $20 million for Community Youth Grants. This
>initiative focuses on our TANF eligible population and aims to improve
their
>social, academic and employment skills in order to prepare them for life
and
>to succeed in post secondary education or in the work place.
>
>Many community agencies have ideas for these types of programs for at-risk
>youth, or are currently operating such programs.  This initiative allows
>agencies to apply for funding from the Department of Workforce Development
>to help develop new programs or improve current programs.
>
>This funding will target programs which establish models of service that
>support positive behavior in children and their families and creates
>positive linkages with schools.
>
>A portion of this funding, $2.5 million will be set aside for an innovative
>program in Milwaukee.  The Safe and Sound program is designed to prevent
and
>reduce youth crime and violence on three fronts:
>
>*       Providing positive alternatives for youth - sites offering
>constructive activities out side school time.
>*       Neighborhood Organization - community partners go door to door
>sharing information to help residents support law enforcement and
>neighborhood revitalization.
>*       Tough law enforcement - federal, state and local authorities work
together
>to target gangs, drug pushers and gun traffickers in the highest crime
>neighborhoods.
>
>Currently there are 13 Milwaukee Public Schools which are designated as
>"Safe Places".  This funding will allow an expansion of the program for
>teenagers in Milwaukee.  "Safe Places" offer a positive environment where
>teens can go after school, during the weekends or vacations to enjoy a
>structured environment.
>
>In addition, this initiative earmarks up to $500,000 for the Good Samaritan
>Project to develop a youth mentor program.
>
>
>Dear _______________________:
>
>I would like to ask you to support the $20 million for Community Youth
>Grants. Throughout the country, almost 5 million children between the ages
>of 5 and 14 are home alone after school each week. It has been clearly
>identified that these children are at a higher risk of drug, alcohol, and
>tobacco use, delinquent behavior, violent victimization, and injury than
>their peers who are supervised after school. Statistics show that most
>juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
>with the largest number of offenses committed in the hours immediately
>following students' release from school.
>
>I am speaking as an individual with several years experience  oordinating
>after-school programming in Wisconsin for youth between the ages of 11 and
>14. I can attest to the myriad benefits that youth realize including fewer
>contacts with the juvenile justice system, improved academic achievement,
>improved school attendance, increased academic confidence, and much more.
>Moreover, I can assure that youth currently HUNGER FOR MORE opportunities
to
>participate in STRUCTURED AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
>
>It has even been suggested that the major effect of homework is to
>accentuate the difference between rich and poor, between the privileged and
>the disadvantaged. That is, expecting a substantial part of the total
>learning process to occur at home only exacerbates the advantage that the
>children of well-to-do families have over those families struggling with
the
>ravages of poverty. Providing extended day learning and youth development
>opportunities through the Community Youth Grants can help close this gap.
>
>If we are to meet the needs of families with working parents, we must
>provide safe and academically conducive places where kids can go after
>school. Community Youth Grants can help provide those safe havens that
>increase academic achievement and social skills in youth. I urge you to
>please vote for the full funding of this program. Thank you for your time.
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
>