Monday Meetings
August 13, 2018
July 24th saw us launch our much anticipated 3-week young people summer scheme Enriching Lives, and on the day of the launch, a poignant statement was made by our guest speaker Leon Anthony;
We are on a journey to “re-discover or discover who you are”.
A journey to discover our life’s purpose, no matter what age, young or old. Enriching lives champions the concept that we possess the power to mould ourselves to become who we truly want to be, irrespective of status, we always have a choice in life. Some may believe circumstances may dictate how we are lead to choose, whether to pursue a life of crime or fight for an honest living. But what must be stressed, is one path will ultimately lead to destruction.
So how do we preserve our young people, and guide them on a path which will continue to enrich them?
A question asked during the Serious Violence Consultation held by LondonYouth in East Lonon this past week. In this meeting, we discovered that millions of funds have been generated, for the purpose to create strategies to combat the rise of youth violence and criminal activity. But a valid point made during this session was the action of generating more funds may be a surface level solution, as the problem is much deeper, far more multifaceted, and points to damaging infrastructures created in a society which further alienates vulnerable young people. An infrastructure the government may not care to or is not ready to acknowledge.
Youth-focused foundations and projects like ourselves can aid the quest to strengthen our youth, but we are limited in our scope if we are not backed by the people in power. Though we have established more capital has been accumulated, Youth foundations and projects do not share in the wealth, and have had their funds reduced considerably. Local councils are choosing to fund other ventures in their boroughs.
But despite this, we have to continue to fight, cherish and celebrate young people. The youth are the future, and we need to make sure they know how valuable they are. To help them continue to discover who they are and where they truly want to go. And we have a responsibility in our communities to enable young people to shine in the brightest light otherwise, we help foster a cycle of destruction which everyone living has an opportunity to break.
Lets always strive to discover ourselves.
Enriching Lives continues Tuesday to Friday from 12 pm till the 10th of August in West Croydon. Click on the link for a chance to still get involved.
