My early experience teaching in an inner city school highlighted for me the lack of resources and opportunities for certain children. Young boys and girls with a myriad of problems came to school underfed, poorly dressed and without a support network to encourage their growth and development. With no structure in their lives, they were ill-equipped to handle the tasks required of them and often faced teachers and administrators who had given up on them. Unfortunately, these same situations exist today and in many ways are even more frustrating and complicated. Family economic security and housing issues continue to compound the difficulties of children's lives.

As these children grow older, there are often few opportunities for them to voice their opinions on issues affecting their lives. With the best of intentions, many adults make decisions for them without input from the youth themselves. Lacking the skill sets to express themselves, stand up and confidently voice an opinion, young people are left feeling powerless to help themselves and their communities. As a result, they often turn to inappropriate ways of dealing with their frustrations such as gang membership and/or drugs.

I feel that these young people should be given opportunities to engage in problem solving and decision making to better enable them to effectively manage their own lives. Youth programs should shift from viewing youth based on their negative behaviors to viewing youth as having certain strengths and assets. Research shows that youth who feel safe and valued and who are working with caring adults are more likely to be positive about life, engaged in school and emotionally healthy. Their self esteem is raised through youth development/engagement programs that help them learn by experience.

Our fast paced technical world creates pressure and stress for children in unimaginable ways. For some it is the challenge of just making it through the day with the constant threat of abuse, for others it is the constant intense focus on getting the best grades to get into the best schools. For many it is living day to day with a constant turmoil of emotions and thoughts within them with no outlet for expression. As I have raised my family with the benefit of the resources necessary to help my sons grow into healthy, self-fulfilled adults, I have always kept the vision in my mind of children and youth not so fortunate. I continue to be saddened by the great inequities amongst a certain population of our youth who are living in such a progressive country.

I envision a country where all children have access to equal opportunities to grow up to be fully functioning adults who can contribute to our society. I believe that all young people want to be the best they can be and I believe that all parents want the best for their families and if given the appropriate skills both will work to make it happen.

As co-founder of the Perrin Family Foundation I want to see all young people as mentally and physically healthy and well prepared to live a self-satisfying life.