4.26.2004
The cycle of revenge and violence has to end. I would add the cycle of poverty has to end and the cycle of alcoholism has to end. These kids are born with 3 strikes against them; fetal alcohol syndrom, lead poisoning from poor housing, parents who neglect them and more - its amazing that they rise above the desperation.
We raise warriors, not children. - Aimless
Beacon of Hope: Aimless, Upward Bound
Aimless mentors these youth! She teaches them all summer, calls them all winter. She had lunch with a group of Cass Lake students on main street the day before Louie Bisson's death. Sierra Goodman's sister is in the group of mentees that I was involved in. Its amazing how close she is to these stories. She was the first one I thought of when I read them. Aimless says this coverage has centered her focus more.
We were both amazed that Leech Lake was being covered by a Twin Cities news paper. The stories are heart-wrenching and unbelievable. I remember them happening, but had never read about them in such depth. We were just talking on Friday night, how much rural areas are like inner-cities. They have many of the same setbacks - poverty, drugs, alcohol, etc.
On Saturday, all the mentors were recognized at a little picnic in the park. But Aimless deserves a lot of accolades for the work she has put into her mentor program - she frickin created it! So here I am telling the world what a good job you are doing Aimless! She isn't just talking about it - she is working for change, fighting the good fight - and she LOVES it!