6 MYTHS - Keeping cities locked into crime!

Chicago had 10 people killed and 40 wounded in 4 days. This can change if we get beyond the myths!

For decades, politicians and community leaders have perpetuated myths as the cycle of drug abuse, gangs and violence continues from one generation to the next. Myths include:

Myth #1 - Police can keep us safe.
Police have a limited role. Additional police on the streets can increase response time, but their job is to react to crime. The national average is 2.4 police for every 1000 citizens. It is not realistic to assume the police can keep us safe.

Myth #2 – More money will stop crime.
In the past 40 years, billions have been spent on education, home security, and guards, swat teams, training, scanning equipment, shot spotter and surveillance cameras. Money doesn’t stop domestic violence or youth from being abused at home or bullied at school. It does not put a responsible father back in the home or increase time spent with children.

Myth #3 – Hitting and verbal abuse will not harm children.
An abused child struggles to be accepted. They can rebel, learn to be bullies or become victims. These children don’t trust their instincts and intuition or develop a healthy conscience, which can protect them. When children have love and a network of support, they grow strong and resilient.

Myth #4 - Laws control criminal behavior.
Politicians pass laws to keep the public safe. Laws have limitations. Most citizens obey laws. Criminals, gangs, pimps and drug dealers ignore laws.

Myth #5 - Racism keeps the community oppressed.
The blame game divides and distracts from real solutions. Blaming police or society perpetuates anger. Anger gives disconnected youth an excuse to be violent which is a self-destructive false sense of power.

Myth #6 - Poverty keeps people from progressing.
Politicians gain power by creating an illusion of compassion. For decades, billions of dollars has been spent on programs including the “War on Poverty” and “War on Drugs.” In our zeal to help, we destroyed self-confidence, self-determination and motivation.

Myths have some truth but they don’t change behavior. Connected citizens have the power to create positive change and restore community safety and confidence.

America at a crossroads
Will security in the U.S. require more laws and less freedom or will we focus on supporting neighborhoods and strengthen families?

The largest group of crime victims, children. They are “canaries in the mine.”

For more information, www.safekidsnow.com

Root Cause for Violent Behavior!

Hardly a day passes without youth violence making news. From bullying at school to gang activity in the streets, the problem is pervasive. Most recently, rival teenage gangs traded deadly gunfire in the streets of Macon, Georgia, and the mayor there has vowed to find solutions. Macon is not unique.

We believe the best time to counter violent behavior among the young is before it starts. If we expose children from birth onward to positive, nurturing, nonviolent treatment, and to exemplary adult role models, we can safely predict that they won’t evolve into bullies or gang members. The consensus of child development science concurs with our position in this regard. Merely funneling young lawbreakers into the juvenile system doesn’t get at the root of the problem.

Please carefully consider the following recommendations:

• Add parenting education to the standard high school curriculum with a passing grade as a prerequisite for graduation.

• Make parenting education mandatory for parents who are aid recipients.

• Promote legal reforms that will extend to children the same protections against assault and battery that apply to adults.

Share copies of our publication, "Plain Talk about Spanking" with child-related and healthcare-related organizations and agencies, including schools, hospitals, pediatric clinics, libraries, etc. It can be accessed online at www.nospank.net/ and we furnish FREE download or hard copies upon request.

The benefits that will result from our joint efforts to reform harmful child-rearing customs and habits, and replace them with positive alternatives, will become apparent in due course. As Nelson Mandela observed, "There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children."

Video with Jordan Riak, "Plain Talk about Spanking!" at: http://www.youtube.com/user/NeighWatchPioneer


Jordan Riak, Exec. Dir., Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education (PTAVE); P.O. Box 1033, Alamo, CA 94507; Tel: 925-831-1661; On the Web at www.nospank.net

10 Ways For A Parent To Say I Love You Without Words

• When your child communicates with you, stop what you’re doing and really listen to what they have to say. When your child knows and feels you care about what they are saying, they will feel good about themselves.
• Spend quality time each day with your child. When a child has the undivided attention of their parent, they feel important and cared for.
• Tune into your child’s needs. Respond to what your child may need before they ask; this shows your child you really are paying attention to them.
• Show your child affection without being asked. When you offer a hug to your child without being prompted, they will truly feel your love for them.
• When your child wants to show you something or needs something in that moment, stop what you’re doing and follow their lead. Sometimes they just want to know they are more important than your work.
• Enjoy meals together several times a week. With most people’s hectic schedules, there isn’t always time to hear the details of a child’s day immediately after work. Sharing a meal together allows children the space to talk about what went on in their day after they’ve had some down time and you have too.
• If your child comes home from school or an outing and immediately starts to talk about a sensitive topic, stop and listen to what they’re saying; it is most likely bothering them.
• Intently watch your child. Simply gazing at your child will send energetic vibrations of love their way and they will receive the warm feelings into their being.
• Make eye contact with your child. Sharing a deep gaze with your child sends messages of love through the eyes. The eyes are the gateway to one’s soul and a child knows this.
• Do things for your child. Consciously making their bed and washing their favorite shirt let’s them know you thought about them during your day; it also shows them how to do things for others as well.

Tara Paterson, ACPI Certified Coach for Parents™ of Intuitives
www.parentingintuitives.com
Co-Author of the award winning book- Raising Intuitive Children
Contact info: tara@justformom.com.

10 things parents can do to build confidence and keep children safe

Children grow strong and resilient if you:
1. Let children know they are awesome by taking 10 minutes every day to ask questions and listen without judgments.
2. Teach children to grow strong from within by setting an example of staying cool, calm and collected, no matter what is going on. Anger breeds anxiety and confusion.
3. Create rule and boundaries for the family and stick to consequences for bad behavior.
4. Work out problems together! Anger and stress weakens the immune system and makes your family less healthy.
5. Allow children to make mistakes. Children learn from failure and discover that life can be difficult. They grow stronger and wiser.
6. Encourage children to speak up and stand up for themselves without any anger.
7. Teach children to use their instincts and intuition. If they don’t feel safe, run away. Always have children use the buddy system.
8. Teach children how to handle a bully. Children grow strong by discussing solutions, role-playing and encouragement.
9. Surround your child with a positive network of support. Your family, friends and neighbors are your child’s role models and mentors.
10. Do something special with each child every week. Go to the park, a movie, play a game, invite their friend to join your family, etc.

For more information: Go to www.safekidsnow.com/streetsafekids.html

5 CLUES YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS DANGEROUS!

1. Fear and easily intimidated neighbors who don’t trust each other.
2. Lack of communication between neighbors. (Problems escalate)
3. Assuming someone else will speak up and stop juvenile bad behavior.
4. Ignoring criminal behavior and hoping it will go away.
5. Observing suspicious strangers or activities but failure to report criminal behavior.

YOU have the power to change your neighborhood. Even if your neighborhood seems safe, don't be fooled. Get neighbors together to share information.

Find out what you can do. Go to "Safe Kids Now" and contact us!

Children deserve a safe place to grow up so they can reach their potential!

HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE!

For decades, politicians have tried to break the cycle of violence by hiring more police and implementing new laws. Those strategies and other penalties have limitations because they do little to prevent the next generation from following the same destructive path.

City officials seem stumped on how to stop violence. In San Francisco, violence claimed 98 lives in 2008. Mayor Gavin Newsome said: “Nothing that I have tried to resolve has been more frustrating and vexing than solving the issue of why a 14-year-old would take the life of a 15-year-old with a weapon of war.”

The U.C. Berkeley School of Law researchers recently reported gangs terrorizing the same neighborhoods over and over again.

As a crime and violence prevention consultant, I know that gang leaders and drug dealers intimidate neighbors and instill fear against the police so they can control neighborhoods and continue, “business as usual.”

Police often focus on “hot spot” neighborhoods. However, after a sweep to eliminate criminals, neighbors need immediate follow up with “hands on” help to get organized. Without support, new criminals fill the void.

So how can the cycle of violence be broken?

BE A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
Community activists can play an important role to end the social isolation that fuels crime, drug abuse and violence.

Activists can promote the simple act of neighbors working together which reduces fear and restores hope. Community activists can identify neighborhood leaders and enlist businesses, civic and church groups to support neighbors. They can assist neighbors in running meetings, planning an agenda and motivate neighbors to help strengthen family support.

When people feel connected and develop confidence, they stop the “no snitch” attitude and stop tolerating burglars, rapists, gangs, predators and drug dealers.

KEEP FAMILIES SAFE!
Ideas to keep neighborhood groups going and growing:
1. Neighbors need good communication to stay connected with regular meetings, phone trees, emails and, possibly, a newsletter.
2. Community leaders (neighbors, churches, civic groups) can help plan social gatherings, block parties, establish block parent programs, map neighborhoods for safety, create community gardens, plan youth safety day, implement emergency preparedness and help other neighbors form “Neighborhood Watch” groups.
3. Local officials can promote citizen involvement and reward neighbors for creating safer neighborhoods with trees, benches, swings, improved lighting, etc.
4. Neighborhood and civic groups can sponsor youth poster or essay contests.
5. Business groups or agencies can promote healthy competition between neighborhood groups. They might promote jump rope, basketball, skateboard, singing and dancing contests.
6. Local officials can honor and recognize neighborhood leaders!

Together neighbors provide a check and balance and reduce the social isolation that tolerates bullies, domestic violence and destructive youth behavior. When neighbors work together, they become role models, mentors, speak up and help solve problems.

Citizen involvement creates healthy, safe neighborhoods for families – and helps to reverse the cycle of violence.
~
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Talk to your local representative and your police chief.
- Offer assistance to help your community.
- Make presentations to local civic, business and youth groups. Get their input.
- Encourage community leaders to focus on community support for families.

Follow the example of Rebecca Kimbel, Area Governor of Toastmasters’ International. She joined Safe Kids Now and became a community activist. She makes presentations throughout Northern California and writes articles for her local newspapers.

By Stephanie L. Mann
For more information: www.safekidsnow.com

ARIZONA TRAGEDY: A WAKE UP CALL!

Twenty-two year old Jared Loughner killed six and wounded 14 innocent people in Tucson. The public reaction; a “deranged monster.” Others blame political speeches. Loughner’s friends called him a “social outcast.” (Contra Costa Times 1-10-11)

This tragic event is a wake up call. We need to identify root causes and examine solutions for violent behavior. Human beings have the power to make choices for good or evil regardless of what has happened in the past.

Violent people were often victims. They never learned how to look within to find their own identity. They feel victimized and powerless. Lacking self-awareness, they can spiral out of control by dwelling on past traumas or injustices. Anger, if left unresolved, grows into rage and confused thinking. They blame others and may seek a cause to feel powerful. Their ego says, “I am right and others are wrong” as they shut down their conscience and play god. If no one intervenes, they look for a victim to relieve their pain and feel in control. I.e. a rapist attacks a vulnerable woman, a predator attacks a child, and an angry husband abuses and isolates his wife. This is spiritual ignorance at its worst.

Loughner was not born “deranged” but anger made him think and act in self-destructive ways. He became an outcast and felt justified in hurting others. Mass murderers are often “loner” with “no remorse.”

How can we prevent children from becoming a social outcast?

Consider these ideas:

1. Spiritual ignorance – Children growing up with mental, physical or sexual abuse at home learn, the biggest bully wins. Violent movies, video games and TV reinforce that message. Without spiritual understanding of self, young people do not learn healthy life skills to help them handle feelings of love or hate. A spiritually off centered child can become a bully or the victim of a bully. If human (spiritual) beings dwell on anger, they can become self-destructive or may turn their anger on the community.

What you can do… Look within your family, set boundaries, listen, demonstrate respect for each other and speak without anger. Do not tolerate bully behavior at home or in your neighborhood. Children need strong, caring families to learn self-awareness and self-discipline.

2. Social alienation fuels violence – When young people feel isolated and lack a network of support from family, friends, neighbors or a religious family, they struggle to develop self-confidence and courage.

What you can do… Successful parents create a network of support around children and seek wisdom from family, friends, teachers and neighbors. A network of support builds trust. Encourage your network to correct unacceptable behavior. Children will develop respect for others and their property. A caring network offers encouragement, mentors and role models. Involved citizens demonstrate how to become contributing members of the community.

We can make our homes and neighborhoods safe places to live and help young people from “falling through the cracks” or becoming “social outcasts.” United, we have the power to create peace at home and in our communities.


Stephanie L. Mann, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Safe Kids Now!
www.safekidsnow.com

MICHAEL JACKSON: The Tragic Consequences of Child Abuse

Millions of people enjoyed Michael Jackson’s genius as a showman, however, his legacy is even greater if we learn from his life story.

During a TV interview, “Living with Michael Jackson,” Michael stated he was beaten by his father. He was so terrified he became physically ill when he saw him. When asked about his mother, he said he could hear her screaming, “Stop you’re going to kill him.”

Physical, mental and sexual child abuse is a family secret that must be exposed. All forms of abuse leave life long scars on victims. I experienced this tragedy within my own family.

To outsiders, my family looked the picture of success. My father was captain of the yacht club and we mingled with the rich and famous. As a small child, my older brother loved to play the piano. At age six, he was composing songs. But my father thought his talent was a curse and berated him, saying, “Only sissy boys play the piano!” He wanted his son to be a man’s man and excel in sports. As a result, my brother’s love of music was beaten out of him. Seeking to break free of controlling men, he ran away from several military schools. At age 19, he escaped by marrying a woman who was 38-years-old. During his life, he married six times and developed serious health problems as he ballooned to 350 pounds. He lived an unfulfilled life and died too soon. My father became an alcoholic and our family fell apart.

As an adult, I learned my father had been a victim of child abuse himself. He was repeating the cycle by abusing his sensitive, creative son. Then later in life, I became aware of the enormity of child abuse when I spent four years volunteering to help the homeless with the Mother Wright Foundation in Oakland, California. I heard horror stories about beatings, incest, molestation and neglect of children at the hands of the people who were supposed to love them. Without guidance and support, many of the homeless had never learned how to handle their emotions, connect with other people and grow strong from within. As victims of abuse, they often turned to drugs to escape their inability to cope with life.

One Saturday while serving lunch in the park, we needed another helper and James, a homeless man, stepped out of the line to volunteer. We got acquainted and during the next month, I learned his methadone drug treatment program was ending. James, who had been abused early in life, didn’t know what to change in order to stay out of prison and he asked for help. Since I didn’t know how to help him, I just listened to his story and offered the motherly advice I had given my own children.

During one of our meetings, James asked if his friends could join us. We talked to a pastor who agreed to let us meet at a nearby church. The meetings were challenging. At the first meeting, twenty men showed up. Some were high on drugs, two fell asleep on the floor and the men were angry and didn’t know how to listen to each other. We set down rules and the group dwindled to a core group of eight. Within three months, four men got jobs and two joined a drug rehab program.

This experience made it clear to me: child abuse is one of the major factors that lead to drug abuse, teen runaways, school dropouts, prostitution, violence and many other destructive behaviors. If the cycle is not broken, it continues with the next generation.

That is not just my opinion. A long-running study on the “Cycle of Violence” by the National Institute of Justice found that “being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent, and an adult by 28 percent, and for a violent crime, by 30 percent.” And that is just one report among many over the years which shows the connection between child abuse and crime – and which demonstrates how the cycle of abuse continues turning in destructive ways in the lives of adults who were mistreated and neglected early in their lives.

This cycle can be stopped and it must be. It is critical that parents and caring adults create circles of support around children to help them grow and learn how to connect with others.

The awesome talent of pop star, Michael Jackson, will be remembered. However, if you listen to his music his dream was to “heal the world” and “bring people together.” His legacy is a message to every parent, love your children and give them the emotional support they need to live a productive life without any fear of abuse.

By Stephanie L. Mann, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant

YOU Make a Difference: Positive or Negative?

Frequently we hear,” if I had power, position or money, I’d make a difference.” We placate ourselves with desires that seem to be out of reach. We imagine we are powerless to affect noteworthy change because the desires we feel would empower us, have not been met. We forget cause and effect is a law of physics, not a law of size and it is constant on every level, all the time, everywhere, with or without our desires being met.

We react or don’t react to circumstances. Our reactions or lack of them set into motion other reactions. Sometimes we fail to realize that what we do or don’t do makes a difference. We affect the lives of others even when we don’t realize it. Consider your smile or lack of it, your understanding or lack of it, befriending someone who needs you or turning away. Everything has an effect. Few of us analyze the effects we cause. Determining their positive or negative value and to whom, isn’t always considered.

Are we strengthening the self confidence of the people in our everyday lives, or are we weakening it? Are we building honesty and dependability in those who learn from us or are we undermining it? Are we helping others find their purpose and seek their dreams or are we siphoning off their energy to strengthen our own desires?

Each situation finds us either adding or subtracting quality in the immediate intellectual, emotional or physical environment. Emotional climate can be joyfully spontaneous and loving or rigidly fearful from the dominance of a hot or cold war whose brewing storm overtakes everything in its path.

Acceptance is respect. Acceptance can die a slow death from the continual bullets of criticize, or passive aggressive confusion.

Making a difference doesn’t start with power, position and money. It starts within you. It starts with desire to make life better, which is done through positive daily human contacts with family, friends, coworkers, and community. It is the people that make up the nation.

If you want to make a difference, be the difference you want to make. You have an effect as you walk through this life. Consciously or unconsciously, you leave your footprint. You can make life better by the path you chose or you can make it worse, but your being here leaves it’s mark. Your personal quality or lack of it will be reflected in the lives you have touched and you do touch them each and every day, with or without power, position and money.

Wittingly or unwittingly, you are making a difference. The question is, is the difference you are making the difference you really wanted to make?

Rebecca Kimbel DTM, MsCD and CEO

DTM: Distingished Toastmaster
MsCD: Dr. of Metaphisical Science, the great religions and philosophies of the world.
CEO, Corporate Executive Officer, Tio Inc.

Let's work together to wake up Americans!

TIME TO WAKE UP THE SLEEPING GIANT! Money, police and laws can not stop crime, drugs and violence in our cities. These are "crisis of the spirit" problems.

Children are the largest group of victims and they are paying the highest price for "spiritual ignorance." Bring your energy (wisdom) and join us to help wake up Americans. Click: SAFE KIDS NOW! for more info.

Sowing and Growing A Personal Garden

Sowing and Growing Personal Garden's of Pea's, Squash, Lettuce, Turnip's and Thyme

Life is like a garden that we can plant at any time of the year or in any circumstance. The Bible says in Isaiah 58:11. "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will become like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Now, put on your overall's and get into your gardener mentality.

Remember, our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

After the pea's comes squash…squash gossip, squash indifference, squash grumbling and squash selfishness. Concerning gossip, remember that silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted. Indifference is checking out. Passion is checking in. Don't let indifference squash your passion. Grumbling is verbal leaking to the outside things that are on our inside. Grumbling creates a verbal pollution bigger than that spewing well of the coast of Louisiana. Squash it, put a cap on it, and it stops polluting. Finally, squash selfishness. Maturity is discovering that the world doesn't revolve around us.

Next are four rows of lettuce…let us be faithful, let us be kind, let us be patient, and let us really love one another. Making commitments generates hope but keeping commitments generates trust. Trust is like a rope that connects one person to another. Then let us plant kindness. Baz Luhrman says: "Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours." Patience is an incredible thing to plant. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

Don't forget to plant love right where you live with your neighbors, friends, family, and community. Those in need…need a friend in deed. American politician Andrew Holmes said: "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." Thomas Dreier said, "You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and work."

Now, let's plant three rows of turnips. Turn up for church meetings, turn up for service, and turn up to help one another. Someone wrote a story called, My Drug Problem. "I had a drug problem when I was young. I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions no matter the weather. I was drug to the bus stop to go to school every weekday. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults and teachers. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say and think. These drugs are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin and if today's children had this kind of drug problem the world would be a better place." Sometimes you have to turn up whether you feel like it or not.

Finally, let's plant four rows of thyme: time for each other, time for family, time for neighbors and friends and time for prayer. Don't let bad experiences stop you from planting time. No matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt us every once and a while and we must forgive them for that for both our sake and theirs. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. The most important things in your house are the people. Don't forget prayer. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

Now, that's what I call a garden. Don't just go for it, sow for it, but we may have to grow for it.

Ed Delph

NATIONStrategy
www.NATIONStrategy.com
"People Who Empower People To Transform Communities'

Our Children Our Future

No one knows more about child abuse than Rebecca Kimbel. At age 15, Rebecca was sold as a child bride to her future husband. With help, she escaped with her 6 daughters, many years later. She knows how critical it is for children to be protected, not controlled. (In the USA, 1 in 4 women are in abusive relationships)

Thank you, Rebecca, for sending us your article.



Our Children Our Future

Today’s children are tomorrow’s nation. What is written on the “blackboards” of a child’s psychic will effect intellectual and emotional decisions in their future. Their future is not theirs alone. Our children are the future of our nation.

The economy is down. Crime is up. People struggle against joblessness, homelessness and despair. Those who suffer the most, are the smallest, the weakest and the most defenseless. They are children and crimes against children are astonishingly high.

David Finkehor PhD Director at the Crimes against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham N.H., said,”Children and adolescence have among the highest rates of conventional crime, victimization and in addition, suffer from the most crimes. Despite enormous publicity about crime and youth, this high vulnerability is seldom mentioned”.

When a child is victimized, we often discover that justice and healing require far more pain, time and investment than prevention. Healing emotional and physical scares often lasts for years and sometimes lasts a life time. The vigilance of protection not only provides prevention, it also provides a healthy base with beneficial effects that expand into the next generation.

Does it “take a village” to raise a child? The vigilance of a group within a community dedicated to the safety and well being of the children is a much needed and effective safety net for their protection. The children are not the only members of the community to benefit. When the children are protected, the community is protected.

A powerful new organization called Safe Kids Now has been activated across the nation. It began in the inner cities where crime was the highest and spread quickly through assisting churches who “adopted a block” around the church. Then members “adopted a block." Citizens seeing the dynamic positive effects began joining in. Adults focused on the local children, who they were, who they were with, who they belonged to and which neighbors would safely befriend them.

The statistics of abuse, violence and missing children began to loose its grip in their communities. In many communities the watch of mutual protection has caused crime to move out.

When churches, parents and neighbors join in a common bond for the purpose of protecting young lives, they have a heart felt purpose. They become dedicated to “paying attention”. They became dedicated to the simple things, like going to the internet and researching those who they may entrusted with their sacred little ones. They pay attention to details and unusual circumstances. They become determined to bring the statistics on crimes against children down and keep pushing it down until American cities become a safe place for America’s future and her children.

Information on this program is available at www.safekidsnow.com

Rebecca Kimbel

14 killed each week in LA!

16 year-old Brandon Garrido was gunned down May 10th in Los Angeles. He was just one of 14 killed by violence in LA that week (740 a year). Click below to read the whole story!

If you want to help stop children from becoming victims, contact me. Stephanie

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126853039

MAKE AN IMPACT!

If you fear public speaking, this is NOT for you.

However...if you want to help your city grow safer this summer, join us on the National Safe Kids Now Speaker's Bureau.

Your city needs you to speak up about what it will take to create safe neighborhoods for everyone.

See, The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook at www.safekidsnow.com Safe Kids Now! staff offers 3 FREE teleconferences to help you get started.

YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CITY

Questions? safeneighborhoods@gmail.com

Volunteering: Perfect for teens

Teens can gain valuable experience by volunteering. Teens can try out new things that could ignite a lifelong passion. In addition to the positive social impact of service, volunteer work looks great on a job resume or college application.

So don't hesitate! Get out there, volunteer and take your preteen or teenager. Join a group that is already making a difference. By helping your community, volunteers learn people and leadership skills and much, much more.

IDEA: How about joining a neighborhood church or civic group and presenting the "The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook." What better place to start than in your own neighborhood!

Go to www.safekidsnow.com for more information.