Save Our Youth program in search of greater participation
Save Our Youth in Merced, a nonprofit organization that works with the goal of reducing academic failure and delinquency, among other things, is struggling to keep public interest.
The issue, organizers said, is although Merced could greatly benefit from the services offered by Save Our Youth, response from the community and local officials is lacking.
Christopher and Dolores Slaton, who run Save Our Youth in Merced, explained that since the program first started in 2010, it has served more than 5,000 people in the county through community events, workshops and classes. The program, Christopher Slaton said, would better serve the community by forming partnerships with county agencies and other organizations to help youths and families on a referral basis.
Such partnerships also are what help with funding and keeping a project alive.
The programs and services offered through the Save Our Youth project, Slaton said, are designed to address the needs of children and families in crisis. These are children who may be growing up in broken homes, in families with substance abuse, in violent neighborhoods and with mental health issues.
“We want to create successful kids despite living in a failing system,” Christopher Slaton said. “We’ve got to let these kids know it’s not OK for you to be teased and bullied.”
Save Our Youth has received the support of the Boys and Girls Club, the Public Health Department and local high schools. But organizers are hoping additional agencies will hop on board and that more families will become aware of the services that are available to them at no cost.
“When you have kids that are hurt, the first thing you want to do is make sure they understand you’re real,” Slaton said. “You want them to understand that what comes out of them is valuable.”
Tony Slaton, director of the Boys and Girls Club, said Save Our Youth offers much-needed resources in a community that has left youths behind.
“We have a high proportion of disconnected youth, that’s no secret,” Tony Slaton said. The lack of communication, support and funds is hurting vulnerable children and families, he said.
In Merced County, it is estimated that close to 40 percent of children live in poverty and only 44 percent of families can afford living expenses, according to a 2014 children’s advocacy report.
The same report estimates that 13 percent of youths in Merced County do not attend school or work.
Upcoming Save Our Youth events:
Crisis Intervention Conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 and April 16. The events will be at the Boys and Girls Club of Merced at 615 W. 15th Street. Call to register.
Save Our Youth Merced Building Human Assets Talent Showcase:
- Creative essay writers must be the between the ages of 7 and 11. Writing topics will include bullying, peer pressure, gang assimilation and drug use. A preparation workshop will be held Feb. 17 with the final presentation on May 28.
- Focused issue drawers must be between the ages of 12 and 14 to participate. Drawers will select one of the following topics: teasing, bullying, gang assimilation and drug use. Preparation process for drawing contest will take place on Feb. 19 and 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 1903 G St. in Merced. The final presentation will take place on May 28.
- Thematic performing artists must be between the ages of 15 and 18 to participate. Topics to choose from include: peer pressure, teasing, bullying and drug use. Preparation process and auditions will take place March 19 and April 16, 30, and May 14 with the final presentation on May 28.
For more information about Save Our Youth, call 209-489-7516.
This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Save Our Youth program in search of greater participation."