photo by steed media service

Frank McGhee, founder and program director of Detroit’s Youth Initiatives Project, works with young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to provide training, technical support and supportive services for youth dealing with issues of violence in the city. ”My motivation was, and still is to see young people establish themselves as community, local and national leaders ... to empower them and get their voices heard,” he says.

McGhee calls the present state of affairs overwhelming the city’s youth a “social tsunami.” “We have to start young. We have to occupy their time and get them involved in activities. With youth who live in impoverished areas, we have to show them an alternative so that they will not resort to violence to solve their problems,” says the civic leader. “In many cases, adults are involved in violence because they do not know of an alternative,” McGhee laments. “They do not know how to handle the pressure and the stress of issues that arise every day. Since they never experienced life outside of their comfort zone, they think they will never be able to get past their current situation.”

McGhee notes that young people oftentimes follow the lead of adults and inevitably accept the extreme conditions they face on a daily basis, resigning themselves to substandard living conditions, or opting for quick fixes and temporary relief. “Young people were once responsible for social change and civil action in this country ... they were at the forefront in Selma and Montgomery [Ala.]. I believe they can make those types of strides again and I will never, never, give up on that belief. This is my life and theirs, and ultimately, our country’s future,” he declares. -roz edward

Send this Article to a Friend
facebook