At-Risk Teens Help Out With a Neighborhood's Recovery
The Urban Rangers Corps reaches out to at-risk youths in Kansas City
Each summer, a group of teenagers from troubled neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri learn new skills and give back to their community by fixing up local homes.
The Urban Rangers Corps targets young men and women between the ages of 14 and 18, teaching them about basic carpentry, home repair and painting.
They use these new skills to make improvements to houses in run-down neighborhoods where residents are badly in need of inspiration.
But just as important as practical skills, the group's leaders say, is the personal growth that participants experience as they learn teamwork, leadership and self-esteem.
Father John Wandless, the retired Catholic priest who founded the Urban Rangers Corps, says that the pride the youngsters take in their work is "infectious."
"It also shows them the possibilities they have," he said. "That's the worst thing about being a kid in a poor neighborhood, you don't know what the possibilities are."
Prospective participants attend a week-long orientation before they can take part and they receive a small stipend in return for their services.
FREE SHIPPING ON THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS, 2009
This first-time Christmas edition from Guideposts editors will
put you in the holiday spirit with stories of Christmas
miracles, "Mysterious Ways", recipes, an advent
calendar and more.
Tell Us Your Story
Want to share your inspiring story -- one that gives goose bumps, motivates someone to make a change, overcome an obstacle or fight harder to achieve a dream?
Comments
What a creative and
What a creative and inspiring way to help both the youth and the community! Although I don't live in a poor, urban community, the town I live in advertises that it's "The Perfect Place to Live", making it difficult for the youth who cannot live up to that
title. In fact, many of us call our town "the bubble", meaning that people don't want to deal with the ones who don't fit in. It puts a lot of pressure on the kids who cannot measure up to our school's and town's image and it would be awesome to find something like the Urban Rangers Corps. When children are required to do community service hours in our town, due to breaking the law, they rake or do odd jobs.
I love this idea. Eventually, my husband and I would like to start a community outreach/support/ program for youths who don't quite blend in with the overachievers, so that they can feel good about themselves by helping others and learning life skills along the way. Thanks!
Please login in order to post your comments.