KVILLEKIDD

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 5:47 p.m.

COMMENTARY

By Dwight L. Bullock

Hooray! The summer is here! Wow! It is hard to believe it but I have completed another year of school. On yea! Now what? Maybe I should get a job for the summer. Wait! It is pretty much already summer; after all this is the 26th.

Sounds familiar! It should. This is what I am hearing a lot of lately especially from members of youth sect that are aged to work. However, what I am not hearing is what those members of our youth have planned to do.

Several already are employed and are expected to work even more hours during the summer. A couple have already begun submitting in applications and are waiting! Then there are the many who have no idea, no plans, no ambition and no direction in which to move.

These are more commonly known as the ones who will spend the entire summer at home, in the streets and playing videos games throughout the night. These are the ones that need the most help.

Surely, the Jasper ISD, City of Jasper or some other social service has plans for the youth of Jasper during the summer. If not then we all know what that means.

We are all -------!

But it does not have to be that way. Surely, there are business entities out there who are interested in putting into place a positive enviroment of "real life" skills ad training to a youth be who may one day much more than any of us could imagine.

Surely, the City of Jasper is aware of the many programs available through grant programs,, educational summer services and more in order to entertain those who just do not find a summer work program to fit their needs.

That is when other program initiatives should be in place through mentor programs, volunteering, tutoring, summer advancement programs as well as student exchange programs.

If you feel, that last summer was just great for the youth of Jasper, Texas - then thanks for hitting the site.

If you feel that last summer is something you do not wish to "do over" again this year when it comes to our youth - then go to the next City of Jasper City Council meeting or call the local radio station KJAS at 409-384-2626, expecially on Jasper Thursdays.