My story began in 2008, during the same period that President-Elect, Barack Obama, was preparing for his historic transition to become the first African-American President of The United States of America. His dramatic rise to the Presidency fostered a sense of excitement in the country and it centered around one powerful word: Change. Little did I know at the time that the word “change” would be a central theme for me, my family and my home town of Monroe, Louisiana. The type of change Obama campaigned on was change that focused on raising awareness and reducing the long standing abuse of power that has pervaded our land for so many years. Change that also includes protecting individuals federally, while invoking and respecting the powers of our United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. You’d think all the laws would apply to all states in our country. However, the wrongfully termination of my mentoring program for at-risk and troubled youths, the verbal threats I received for entering my name as a candidate for public office, the destruction of my campaign signs, and the worst of all the arson of my home are the examples and exceptions to the very abuse of power I speak of. In a flash, I found myself standing alone in a quest to bring about this very change in my own life and in the community where I lived.
In January of 2008 in Monroe, Louisiana a youth mentoring program was terminated; effecting over 108 at-risk youths and their families. This unique and extremely effective mentoring program was helping poor and disadvantaged youths succeed in school and society; its abrupt bureaucratic cancellation has devastated the community. After 6 years of hard work and dedication creating a successful mentoring program that aided at-risk youths in challenging areas to succeed, it was ripped away from them by a group I call The Terminators of Hope. Thanks to this program, dozens and dozens of young people were making a change in their daily lives, furthering their education and contributing positively to the community. It is beyond me, why such a successful program would be cancelled.
This mentoring program provided youths with the tools for success; demonstrating higher academics, lowering the dropout rates and a greater ability to work together as a community.
Within three months of the termination of this program, many of the youths have become hopeless, while many others have begun to skip school, violate curfews, turn to violence and even commit crimes.
These youths are desperately seeking a better way of life but without proper guidance and support through an effective mentoring program, they are vulnerable to an environment that perpetuates violence, crime and lack of education.
While this mentoring program matched youths with volunteers from the community for a one on one relationship, bimonthly workshops were given on various subjects such as; education, personal hygiene, anti-violence, anger management, employment preparation, cultural enrichment, social etiquette and community beautification. This program provided hope to those who would other- wise not have any.
Therefore, I implore you to take the time to visit my website titled “Justice For Chris Handy” at http://justiceforchrishandy.homestead.com and read the entire story and assist me in obtaining justice for the injustices I have received from a those faceless individuals who stand in the way of justice. Your voice can make the difference and the world a better place for all. Thank You for your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Christopher Handy
http://icanmentoringprogram.homestead.com
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