With Inner City Youth Programs Indianapolis Creates Second Chances

By Kathleen Smith


It is a great tragedy that this modern world, with all its marvels and advanced technology, has only been to the benefit of the privileged. There is no more sense of community spirit. People no longer look after each other. It is all about oneself. It is selfish and greedy. In the cities, meanwhile, thousands of youngsters struggle for survival while nobody seems to care. Yet with their inner city youth programs Indianapolis organizations do actually make a difference.

The cornerstone of any society is healthy family units. Sadly, so many families are now fragmented or dysfunctional. The divorce rate is higher than ever before, parents are too busy to see to the urgent needs of their children and the youngsters end up looking for attention, love and fulfillment elsewhere. Many charities see this need and try to create environments where these youngsters will feel safe and appreciated.

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.

Serious behavioral problems are common amongst troubled youngsters. Rejection, anger, insecurity, abuse and low self esteem all eventually leave their ugly marks. Young people react by becoming violent, depressed, defiant and sometimes even suicidal. They need psychological help and many organizations offer counseling to these unfortunate youngster. They cannot move on until they have overcome their own problems. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to convince them that they need help.

A very large percentage of young people on the streets are addicted to substances. For many of them, this is the only escape they have from the harsh reality. There are some caring organizations that offer excellent rehabilitation programs, but it is often very difficult to convince young addicts that they need help. Sadly, the success rate is also very disappointing.

If one has nowhere to stay and very little to eat no motivational program will have a lasting effect. The issue is all about daily survival. But there are a few organizations and churches that offer homeless young people shelter and food. Once they are thus secured, their chances of succeeding in other programs are just so much higher. There are just a few shelters in each city, however.

It cannot be denied that there are many people and organizations trying to help young people get on their feet. They are too few, however, and they have extremely limited resources. They can only reach a fraction of the desperately needy youngsters roaming the streets. Society and the authorities should become more involved. Every young life wasted should be an accusation against society as a whole.

All of the big cities have large populations of homeless youths that have no hope and no future. This should be seen as an atrocity that has no place in this modern world. More resources and increased efforts are needed to reach out to these youngsters and to rescue them.




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