Risking vulnerability

There is much to consider in this TED Talk. 

 Certainly, as we relate to people, including "poor people," dealing honestly with my own life struggle will be essential. 

Vulnerability is a real challenge, but so worth it if change and transformation remain our objectives. 

Watch. 

 Comment.

Youth "aging out" of foster care

CitySquare works with youth who age out of the foster care system here in North Texas.  As a matter of fact, we engage young people from the 19-county, northeast Texas Child Protective Services region.  In Dallas County, approximately 150 of these special youth age out each year.  Our Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) provides services to about 900 youth annually.  TRAC's headquarters are housed in a full-service, one-stop shop located on Live Oak in a building provided to us by the Meadows Foundation, our great partners in this special work. We also operate an office in Tarrant County in Fort Worth. 

The population presents us with real challenges.  The average young person we serve has experienced 9 foster care placements before turning 18.  Think about about that reality for a moment. 

Evy Kay Washburne, TRAC Director, provided the following results of a resent data evaluation of the young people who walk through our doors seeking help and hope.

In general. . .

• 30.4% have a history of truancy
• 30.8% have been in special education/resource classes while in school
• 26.2 have been incarcerated or adjudicated
• 59.9% have been diagnosed with  mental illness
• 17.5% have developmental disabilities

More specifically. . .

• 10.5% arrive pregnant
• 17.4% have children
• 40.4% have tested for HIV/STI
• 58.7% have been physically abused
• 35.4% have been sexually abused
• 68.3 have been verbally/emotionally abused
• 85.2% have been neglected
• 67.3% have been on psychotropic medications
• 21.6% are currently on psychotropic medications
• 9.% have seriously injured another person
• 15.4% have tried to hurt themselves or commit suicide
• 12.3% homeless at program entry
• 22.4% were housed temporarily, in substandard or eviction pending at program entry
• 47.8% have experienced homelessness
• 69.5% unemployed at program entry
• 21.3% temporary, part time or seasonal employment at program entry

Regarding income. . .

• 77.5% gross monthly income $0-$500
• 21% gross monthly income $501-$1,000
• 1.5% gross monthly income $1,001-$1,500

Regarding education. . .

• 53.9% HS diploma or GED at program entry
• 8.9% last grade completed 12th
• 25.4% last grade completed 11th

My dear friend, "Anonymous"

Back on Thursday, February 15, 2007, I quoted Antonio Gramsci's description of the impact of World War I on Russian peasants and subsequent Russian political life.

Gramsci happened to have been a disciple of Karl Marx.

As I often manage to do, I ruffled the feathers of my good, good friend, "Anonymous."

Here's what "Anonymous" posted in my comment box in response to my decision to quote a Marxist philosopher:

"At 8:48 PM, Anonymous said...
Larry, it would be nice if you would quote some of our founding fathers rather than the founder of the Communist Party of Italy."

You gotta love "Anonymous."

At least he or she took the time to respond, got involved, mixed it up, expressed a thought, shared a point of view, cared enough to give me a piece of his/her mind!

I love that! It's a big part of why I blog--that and my obvious need for therapy--stay close to the phone Dr. Parsons!

Every time I get a message from Old "Anonymous" though, I find myself wishing that he would come out into the light just a step or two farther.

You know.

Provide us with her name!

Identity is important for authentic conversation, at least it seems so to me.

I'm about ready to start a national campaign. You know, something along the lines of:

"Anonymouses of the world unite! Declare your names so all will know!"

Wonder if it would do any good?

Whatever, I just want to go on record again to say that I hope "Anonymous" will keep posting, even if I never get a name to go with the comments.

Which brings me back to the post "Anonymous" left me.

I believe "Anonymous" deserves to be taken seriously.

So, here's a quote from one of our most famous founding fathers about a subject related to my original, and for "Anonymous" objectionable, post:

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just"--Thomas Jefferson.