[vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”3″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1698680661397-4c4f3129-3f20-2″ include=”10131,10110,9820,9539″ css=”.vc_custom_1681492683481{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Dear Friends of Y-COP,

As the Executive Director of this childcare and youth development organization, I am honored and humbled that parents entrust Y-COP with their most valuable, irreplaceable resources – their children. It sends a strong message that the Y-COP model, which integrates educational enrichment, recreational activities, cultural sensitivity and awareness, as well as social skill development, allows their children to grow and to reach their full potential. This year’s Y-COP gala theme, “Empower. Provide. Protect.” encapsulates that sentiment at a time when the world seems to be challenged on how to best safeguard our youth.

Recent events in the news regarding children being put in harms way and used as “props” for selfish greed, or those who are taught to hate their peers because of their religion; race; where they were born or live, is shameful. It should always be denounced whenever possible. Some adults may send mixed messages. For example, telling children to “just say no to drugs”, and then we hear about a daycare center manufacturing and selling drugs with children in the same facility. Some adults may advise children to avoid firearms, but then we hear about some elected officials’ refusal to pass laws to protect youth from those who acquire firearms with bad intentions. Some adults cry out, “stop the bullying”, but then the youth may see some governments or groups nationally and internationally imposing their ideologies and might on defenseless individuals, worsening the outlook on humanity.

Trust and Responsibility are the main elements to building an impactful organization. When a child is placed in our care Monday through Saturday for several hours a day, parents must be assured that their children will be involved and engaged in positive, quality programs, led by experienced individuals in a safe and nurturing environment.

As mentioned above, our children are faced with so many challenges and look to adults for guidance and support. Sometimes, adults will disappoint our youth with such contradictions. Y-COP’s mission is to teach children to respect and love one another. We seek to care for the youth as if they were our own children regardless of their race, religion, culture, or socio-economic status. “Your child is now my child,” is the underlying principle of the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Our impact, although not perfect, but effective, is a direct result of the dedicated and committed actions, service, and diversity of our staff, board members, and volunteers who continuously show up with a sense of purpose each and every day to educate, engage, and empower every child to be the very best they can be, regardless of their circumstance.

I pray that we do everything within our power to prevent prejudice, discrimination, and social injustice from infiltrating our communities.  However, prayer without work are just words blowing in the wind.

Sincerely,

 

Henry Wilson

Executive Director[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]