"Save Our Children"

     As part of the requirements of my job I am sometimes ask to go to different sites such as schools, churches, and different community events to present the program my job offers. The organization I am employed by focuses on the health disparities that are plaguing the lives of African American youth. Right now HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest issues African Americans are facing. We work on educating our youth on ways of preventing themselves from becoming exposed to this life threatening illness.

     I am very proud of the work I do, and because I am well on may way to becoming a community leader in the area in which I live I try to think of ways to empower our youth. As I mentioned earlier this job offers me opportunities that I may not have had if I wasn't part of this health disparity program. One of the last events I attended focused on ways the community as a whole can "Save Our Children". One idea that definitely stuck out to me was the idea of a round table. As I understood it the premise is to bring together a group of youth in a relaxed/informal setting and let them educate themselves and adults on what they feel is needed for them to productively thrive in their community.

     One way feedback can be exchanged between youth and adults is from time to time community, religious leaders, and/or reformed citizens can be invited to be a part of the round table. They will be able to ask each other questions to gain insight on how to handle problems that are present in their community (i.e. gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy, unprotected sex, and bullying just to name a few).

    At each round table they can pick different topics to be discussed. The topics are chosen by means of an anonymous box. How the anonymous box works is at the end of each round table youth will have an opportunity to place suggestions or issues they are going through in a box without their names on it. Prior to the next round table meeting I will put together an agenda around the ideas that where placed in the box from the previous box. That way the youth that needs assistance with an issue he/she is having can get help from the group by remaining anonymous.

    The round table is an excellent idea and way to get kids to find resolution to issues they are facing day to day. As an adult I only want the best for our children, but honestly I'm not the one going through what they are, therefore I feel it's our responsibility as a community to help empower our children with the tools they will need to tackle whatever they come up against and a round table is a good way of doing that. I encourage everyone to try to do something like this in their own communities, because "kids can't do better, unless they know better"!

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