Classroom 2.0 says, "Hey Mr. President...over here!!!"

I’m sure each and every one of you have been keeping up with the news and all of the events that have been taking place as a result of Barack Obama becoming the first African American President of the United States. And I have to say again that this is TRULY A HISTORIC TIME in the US history. But now that all of the celebrities have began departing DC and all of the other ‘witnesses’ of history began and complete their migration back to their communities, cites, and states, it is time for Barack Obama to actually begin leading our country.

And I’m sure we are all well aware that he can not only do EVERTHING on his own and the problems and issues that our country face in this day and time will not be resolved in a matter of days. We not only have to be patient, but together we have to follow the leadership of Barack and this new administration and collectively make changes in our economy, homes, communities, our schools, and in ultimately in our own lives for the youth and OUR country’s future.

With that being said, I think one of the priorities that should be high on this new Administration’s list is how to better not just better prepare our youth, but to supply resources to the communities that need it the most. Communities that are filled with violence, high poverty rate, poor school conditions, and broken homes. These are the areas that should be focused on more than any, because if Barack Obama can provide the necessary resources and put those resources into the hands of people who are truly dedicated and committed advancing the lives of youth then the short and long term advantages can and will be monumental.

I am asking each and every person who views article to look at this map that was put together by the Cabrini Connections’ very own GIS Mapping Coordinator Mike Trakan (http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com/). This map shows the areas of poverty in the city of Chicago. After viewing this map, I want you to not only think about what Barack Obama can do to assist these areas, but think about what YOU can personally do to facilitate positive change in the lives of youth in these areas of need. Although this map is just providing information for the city of Chicago, this map can be duplicated in almost every city in the United States. And with that duplication of the city’s landscape, I am almost 100% certain that the problems occur in the high poverty areas in Chicago are mirrored in high poverty areas in other cities.
Hopefully Barack, the new Administration, and other supports of tutoring/mentoring programs will use this map to provide these areas of poverty with the resources that are truly needed.

Here are a few ways in which you can help out.

-visit our website and either become a volunteer or support our efforts with a donations www.cabriniconnections.net

-visit www.tutormentorconnection.org and become a volunteer at a tutoring/mentoring program in your area

-OR simply be a positive role model for the youth you come in contact with!

EL Da' Sheon Nix
Administrative Coordinator
Cabrini Connections
Tutor/Mentor Connection
800 West Huron
Chicago, IL 60642
312.492.9614
312. 492.9795 (fax)
eldasheon.nix@gmail.com
http://cabriniblog.blogspot.com/