Memphis must heed the clarion call of its youth, Part 2

The Commercial Appeal/Editorial/My Thoughts, January 26, 2014

By Rosemary Barnes, MAM communications intern

Read Part 1

Isn’t that a better way of looking at this?

Secondly, mentoring is very much needed. Yes, this seems to be one of the favorite words in the non-profit world, and with that, it has been misused, overused and even, abused at times. But let us not throw out the baby with the bath water, as the proverb goes.

Mentoring – true mentoring – in its purest form is desperately needed.

The day has come upon us when the hearts of the fathers (biological and otherwise) must be turned back to the children and the hearts of the children must be turned back to the fathers (biological and otherwise). Let us get our heads out of the sand and clouds, and see that we have a generation of those with orphan’s spirits.

We need those who have been called to speak life, vision, correction and hope into our children’s lives to rise up right now and take their positions. All hands are needed on deck, not because we see a Titanic-like calamity but because of the sheer magnitude of field of harvest awaiting us.

What an opportunity! We have been given too much to stand, sit idly or heaven forbid, judge.

Third, education – reading, writing and arithmetic – must be given a rightful place again. I will not bore you with stories of how things used to be in the ‘good ole days’ when we went to school to learn. Remembrances, sweet or bitter, are just that. The 21st century is here, and has come with its set of unique challenges. But those “unique challenges” will never override the truth that basic educational skills are a hedge of protection for our youth. Let us all understand that education is a not only a positive right but can be a positive and life changing experience for all.

The fourth foundational strategy focuses on money. Many of our youth who are growing up and challenged by the lack of economic resources have come to believe money is the answer to all things. Of a truth, money is truly a necessity. Surely we must encourage a desire for prosperity in the lives of our children, but with this, let us teach them to how to use it, grow it and share it.

Those are the foundational strategies.

So, do you hear the sound of the Lord of the Harvest calling you into His harvest?

If so, come join us at MAM where we mentor daily to over 700 boys and girls in 11 youth centers located strategically in urban Memphis. Our vision is to develop youth into spiritually strong, productive adults, positively impacting the future of our city.

With your help, Memphis can answer the clarion call.