We can refuse to believe that the underlying problems of children in schools, along with society at large, are actually based on social and economic hazards. Children of all income families are being pushed to excel in grades but go home to an empty or violent home with no one else to talk to. What good are high grades or great paying jobs when there is no one to share them with? What is the purpose of these if we have no joy? Where is the motivation to study when nurture and compassion have been replaced by demands and adult greediness? Have we made the competitive industrialization of society more important than the young human?
This piece was written by Eba Yao-Hilario, mother of an Arts Corps’ student and a former board member in response to the issue covered in an article by Jen Graves in the Stranger’s SLOG. This piece is republished with the permission of the author.
Social Responsibility and Us
ArtsCorps is a nonprofit youth organization that practices social responsibility. It needs our strength and support.
We can refuse to believe that the underlying problems of children in schools, along with society at large, are actually based on social and economic hazards. Children of all income families are being pushed to excel in grades but go home to an empty or violent home with no one else to talk to. What good are high grades or great paying jobs when there is no one to share them with? What is the purpose of these if we have no joy? Where is the motivation to study when nurture and compassion have been replaced by demands and adult greediness? Have we made the competitive industrialization of society more important than the young human?
The basic needs of the human being, if neglected, can lead to much higher costs to society’s pockets.
If we do not nurture our youth with compassion, then we are sending them signals of shackles. There are not that many programs that could boast of providing after-school programs of interest to the youth or a place where they feel welcomed, where they have someone to talk to or share their dreams with. Places of joy are not easy to find. We should rejoice when we do find them. We should share in the joy that some children can get respite from the cares and demands of the world, from the bad or good grades, from the boredom, from the neglect, and from the loneliness.
An established, highly effective youth program, ArtsCorps, has been filling a need in society. Now, ArtsCorps needs our voices heard. ArtsCorps should matter to us, as educated, productive, and busy people who know that investing in the youth now will pay off, rather than be a burden, in the future. They can be healthy, well balanced, and have great relationships. And become entrepreneurs.
Please, support ArtsCorps in continuing its valuable programs.
Eba Yao-Hilario
Mother of ArtsCorps student
