By Kathleen Smith


It is a great tragedy that this modern world, with all its marvels and advanced technology, has only been to the benefit of the privileged. There is no more sense of community spirit. People no longer look after each other. It is all about oneself. It is selfish and greedy. In the cities, meanwhile, thousands of youngsters struggle for survival while nobody seems to care. Yet with their inner city youth programs Indianapolis organizations do actually make a difference.

Youngsters often end up troubled and in trouble because they no longer enjoy the love and care of a family. So many parents are just too busy to pay attention to their children. These youngsters often look for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Organizations that try to help therefore often focus on creating an environment where young people feel save, worth something and cherished and where they receive encouragement.

Far too many desperate and destitute young people never finish school. This means that they find it almost impossible to get employed. They have no skills. Many organizations offer these young people training programs where they can actually learn skills that can lead to employment and a better life. Socially conscious employers often subscribe to and support these efforts.

Young people on the streets often develop very serious behavioral problems. They are angry and defiant, they want to be independent, they think that they have been abandoned and they therefore shun society. These young people need counseling and it is not always all that easy to convince them of that fact. They need to face all their issues and resolve to become active and productive members of society.

A very large percentage of young people on the streets are addicted to substances. For many of them, this is the only escape they have from the harsh reality. There are some caring organizations that offer excellent rehabilitation programs, but it is often very difficult to convince young addicts that they need help. Sadly, the success rate is also very disappointing.

Charities, churches and the authorities have learned long ago that no program will be of long term value of the young person concerned does not have a place to stay. To this end, several charities offer places of safety. Troubled youngsters can sleep there and they are normally given at least one decent meal a day. Other organizations often focus their efforts on the young people living at these shelters.

It cannot be denied that there are many people and organizations trying to help young people get on their feet. They are too few, however, and they have extremely limited resources. They can only reach a fraction of the desperately needy youngsters roaming the streets. Society and the authorities should become more involved. Every young life wasted should be an accusation against society as a whole.

The future of the world is in the hands of the youth. Large numbers of disenfranchised young people spell serious trouble for the future. That is why every effort to help them, to guide them, to counsel them and to employ them should be supported.




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