With Inner City Youth Programs Indianapolis Creates Second Chances

By Kathleen Smith


In some rural areas one often still find some sense of community but it is becoming increasingly rare. In the cities, social structures seem to be all about prestige, position and money. Nobody seems to care for others any longer. Selfishness and greed seem to be the new creed. In the process, many people fall through the cracks and a large percentage of them are young people. Nobody cares about them. However, with their inner city youth programs Indianapolis is trying to reverse the tide.

The large scale breakup of the family unit is probably the primary cause of such a deluge of delinquent youths. Modern parents are busy, they have to deal with many pressures and they just do not have time to spend with their offspring. Thus they are left to their own devices, only to end up in the wrong company. A lot of organizations realize this fact and try to create environments where these vulnerable young people will get encouragement and even love.

Far too many desperate and destitute young people never finish school. This means that they find it almost impossible to get employed. They have no skills. Many organizations offer these young people training programs where they can actually learn skills that can lead to employment and a better life. Socially conscious employers often subscribe to and support these efforts.

Any program meant for the benefit of young people in cities need to take into account the fact that so many of these youngsters are difficult to reach. They have been rejected, abused and used. They are often violent and they have to survive in any way that they can. This means that they have to be convinced that they can benefit from ongoing counseling and that they can actually lead meaningful lives.

Then there is the major problem of youngsters falling into the very ugly claws of drugs and alcohol addiction. This is a very difficult pit to get out of and it is unfortunate that so many drug addicts and young alcoholics will not seek help. They find oblivion in their addictions. However, there are organizations that offer rehabilitation programs but it is an expensive and lengthy process with a very low success rate.

Charities, churches and the authorities have learned long ago that no program will be of long term value of the young person concerned does not have a place to stay. To this end, several charities offer places of safety. Troubled youngsters can sleep there and they are normally given at least one decent meal a day. Other organizations often focus their efforts on the young people living at these shelters.

It is a sad fact that only a fraction of those young people that desperately need help are actually reached. There simply are not enough resources. The vast majority of desperately needy youngsters will end up living lives of crime, landing in jail or dying from violence or drug overdoses. Those trying to help them know this, but they can only do what they can within their means.

Ignoring the fact that there are so many troubled youngster in the cities will most certainly come back to haunt society as a whole. It is the young people that will take charge eventually. If they are not equipped to do so, calamity awaits. Besides, everyone deserves a chance.




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