Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

By all estimates, an astounding 17.6 million young people in America – nearly half the population of young people between 10 and 18 years of age – live in situations that put them at risk for choosing the wrong path in life, and not living up to their potential, or much, much worse. When a young man was shot near a central district high school in November, he was a victim, as could be the innocent kids attending the school who have an absolute right to be safe at all times and in particular, when they are walking to and from their school. My daughter attends Madrona middle school in the central district. I am immensely concerned. At the core of the problem, are the actions of young people who may have a self-image of violence and destruction; who see no alternatives for their life; and who were never taught or embraced the values of respect, kindness and conflict resolution. I believe that one’s self-image – that which one believes to be true about their self – governs their beliefs, actions and attitude. However, self-imaging can be changed. Blame erodes self-accountability and human effectiveness. Our city must prioritize a commitment to mentorship strategies. As City leaders, we must align and provide the framework for a city-wide, coordinated strategy and call upon every decent person and every capable agency to help these young adults increase their human effectiveness. Our goal will transcend reducing violence and enhancing safety – but increasing the effectiveness of all of our young people. These young Seattleites can be and will be our next generation of productive citizens.

By Bruce Harrell and Tina Podlodowski

The two of us grew up as lower-middle-class kids who share decades of experience in corporate America, electoral politics, public policy and nonprofits. But mostly, we share a passion for cost-effective solutions to the very real challenges facing Seattle children and families today.

Despite having great parents in our lives, mentors made all the difference in our becoming the people we are today. We each can point to the coach, the neighbor and the caring adult who sparked and supported our personal and professional success. Together, we are passionate about asking adults to become mentors, and getting our at-risk kids a real chance at a future with the help and support of a mentor. Someone just like you.

Absent, in all but a small way, from the Mayor Greg Nickels’ proposed $9.2 million Youth Violence Prevention Initiative is support for increasing the most efficient and cost-effective strategy for keeping kids out of trouble in the first place — a trained and supported adult mentor.
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