Democrats Champion Youth Services

During the last Board meeting, the Republicans voted to abruptly table discussion on a financially reasonable, researched solution for emergency, temporary space needs at the Youth Services Bureau. The request was tabled (along partisan, party lines) right while our Democratic Directors were attempting to discuss possible solutions that would offer immediate help to Manchester teens.

The Democratic Directors were noticeably upset by not being able to offer our teens that help. The public in attendance at the Board meeting was shocked that the item was tabled so abruptly by the majority and that discussion was literally stopped mid-sentence. And the Director of Youth Services seemed heartwrenchingly dismayed that the Town of Manchester would refuse to help our teens when they need it most. As she pointed out, it is imperative that we help them now, while we can, before the summer begins and these children are no longer in our care.

We should not forget how wonderful our Youth Services have become under Democratic leadership. In the past decade they have established crucial services to help our teens. They have succeeding in helping our youth by giving them positive role models and influences, and we need to continue to reach out to more of our teens in need. When asked for thoughtful, considered help by the Director of Youth Services, we should give it—not put off discussion to another meeting, without even making plans to look at other possible solutions. The motion to table this item did not appear to result from an attempt to find a better solution; it seemed clearly an attempt to end discussion of the item by the Board of Directors.

We need to maintain and enrich the wonderful Youth Services programs the Democratic Directors have created for Manchester’s children. Let us not forget how important they have been. These programs, in conjunction with the great preventative police work by Chief Berry, are directly responsible for the drop in Manchester youth violence, the decline of crimes committed by teens, and the complete eradication of gangs in Manchester. More teens are off the streets and involved in programs that will keep them off the streets and off of drugs. The Democrats have done a great job over the past decade leading this town on quality of life issues like this one, and they should be lauded for successfully reaching and helping our children and teens.

Last week the Board of Directors could have voted for additional space to serve 50 more teenagers by leasing a temporary classroom behind the Youth Services Bureau. It would have cost $700 a month, and would have given our teens the temporary, emergency space they need before a more permanent solution can be found. If we are eventually able to find a permanent solution by April, that would be wonderful! But in the meantime, we should be helping our teens today, before they begin using drugs or making other risky decisions.

A temporary solution is the right thing to provide our teens before we can give them the more permanent solution they deserve. That solution deserved more discussion by the Board of Directors last week, and the Democrats attempted to find a timely, very-needed solution. That shows leadership. Just as they have done in the past, the Democrats have continued to show incredible leadership on issues of Youth Programs, Services, and Initiatives. Our Quality of Life in Manchester is better because of it. That is without question.

There is also no question that a temporary space solution will help more teens right now, and would have already been helping more teens today, as I write, before they choose the wrong path in life. There is no question that we missed an opportunity to reach out to more teens last week. The Democratic Directors tried to help them.

I am sad that we aren’t.