Carol S. Porter - YouthBuild Letter

Carol Porter

Writer * Editor * Speaker
Member, Amherst Writers & Artists

Open Letter to Webster Groves Class of '66

CELEBRATING 60

Hi, WGHS Class of '66 --

Remember me? Carol Shankland Porter. Like me, you're probably turning 60 this year. Like me, you're probably receiving a $600 rebate check from Uncle Sam. Like me, you probably have a dozen places you could put that money.

I'd like to tell you where mine is going. During the past year, I've become a tutor and advocate for North St. Louis YouthBuild. This outstanding program helps economically disadvantaged young people (18-24) to rehabilitate themselves and their neighborhood by (1) preparing them to pass their GED exams, while they (2) learn the construction trade and obtain a construction certificate, by (3) working with construction professionals to rehab a building in the neighborhood, which will (4) provide affordable housing for two families.

The corner of 19th and Newhouse in Hyde Park is the kind of neighborhood we never saw growing up in Webster Groves--or Rock Hill, in my case. These are kids like we never encountered. But they want to turn their lives around, and have met the strict requirements for admittance to the program. They are eager to succeed. Ten of them have passed their GED exams, with more to follow.

I have seen firsthand the difference this program can make in the lives of the students -- people like Robert, Lavon and Kevin, my language arts "tutees". Unfortunately, North St. Louis YouthBuild is financially imperiled. Government funding for YouthBuild programs throughout the U.S. has been cut. Ironically, our program is about to receive a "What's Right With the Region" award from Focus St. Louis -- yet we are struggling to complete this year's construction project. (Without a major grant to replace federal money, next year's project is dead. But that's a story for another time.)

So I'm putting my $600 toward North St. Louis YouthBuild, and I'm doing it as a challenge grant. I'm asking everyone I know to make a donation in any multiple of 6, up to $60. This way, anyone can contribute -- kids in Sunday School ( 60 cents ) on up. I'm calling it Lucky Sixes for YouthBuild.

Please visit the YouthBuild site: www.friedensforever.org , and read the recent front-page article in the Post-Dispatch: http://tinyurl.com/26b9s7 Or visit in person--I'd be glad to accompany you. I hope you'll be moved to consider supporting this worthy organization, with $6 or $24 or ... ? It's easy: just click on the "Donate" link at the www.friedensforever.org website.

And if not... I'm sure you have your own passion for helping out and giving back. So I encourage you, classmates of '66 -- if you can, take a few of your own lucky sixes and help make somebody's life better. Let's show the world that we boomers are not so self-absorbed as we're made out to be.

(Then somebody please pass the word to Charles Kuralt.)

Happy spring!

Carol S. Porter
cporterink@aol.com
www.csporter.com

P.S. What IS your volunteering passion? I would love to hear from you, and compile a list of organizations that the Class of '66 has supported with time, talent OR treasure. Bet it's impressive. Maybe even worth an article in the WGHS alumni news.