What if ... by Judy Atchinson (New York, Schenectady: salon, sex offenders, credit)

[j12308]

I can't take credit for this. This is written by the executive director at Quest in Sch'dy

What if …

... Everyone who jogs daily gave an hour a month to helping kids?

... Everyone who goes to a beauty salon or a barber shop donated $1 a month to helping kids?

... Everyone who goes to a gym brought a kid with them one day a month?

... Everyone who hit the malls brought a kid once a month to McDonalds or Burger King or someplace? How about taking four kids in a group to a movie once every four months?

... Hikers and bikers took a kid on a walk through nature? Maybe pack a lunch.

... Everyone brought a kid to dinner at their house once a month? Use the best china and silver, and don’t forget cloth napkins.

... A local church group sponsored a yearly trip to the planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York City (I took three kids there once; the kids blew me away more than the star show.)

... Everyone saw the ocean through the eyes of someone whose eyes have never seen anything so vast and blue and amazing.

... Ten of you out there gave away your cell phone and tell a kid that they could call you anytime at all. Make sure you answer the phone when they call, make the big commitment and do it for a whole year.

... You taught a child to milk a cow? Or ride a horse? How about feeding the chickens?

... You took a child and their dog to obedience school? Picked them up and drove them home.? Bought the dog and the kid matching hair brushes?

... You surprised a kid on their birthday by bringing 25 balloons and all the makings for a banana split.

... You drove your car through the Hill, filled it with ice-cold pop and the best cookies ever, stopped at various places, said “Who's hungry” and passed it out (Don’t forget the napkins).

... You held an enormous cookout in Central Park and put up a sign that says “All Welcome. Free Food,” but made everyone clean up.

... You bought a little girl a party dress and Mary Janes and took her to a live show at Proctors.

... You took a little boy to a pro baseball game. Don’t forget to buy him a baseball cap.

... We all came up with your own what-ifs? What if everyone really followed through?

Want to see real progress In Schenectady? Want to see neighborhoods be neighborly again? It all starts with someone holding out their hand and saying, ”Come on, I’m waiting for you” and “I can do this, it’s easy and fun.”

Remember the old saying, ”It takes a village to raise a child”? What if we became the village and all its children were ours?

QUEST is a community-based organization that provides a safe environment, free meals, counseling, art and recreation programs that keep Hamilton Hill children in school, out of trouble and on track for better lives. For more information on QUEST, visit QUEST In Schenectady.

[woodworkingmenace]

What if???

It would be a wonderful World if people would do something for a Child....

But, what if a child predator invaded this Organization and started to abuse children?
You have to be very careful now days, because there are so many dangerous characters out there, and kids need protected.

Sure, you can investigate someone, but, what if they arent a registered sex offender and have been abusing children for years? (Its said that a sex offender, offends many times before they are ultimately caught, so, how are you going to ensure the saftey of children this way?).

It maybe a wonderful world, wanting to bring a light to Childrens eyes as they see new things, and are treated in ways that they have never experienced by other kids or by adults who dont seem to have the time, nor care enough, but, I would err on the side of caution first.

May the LORD Bless each of you.

I wish you well...

Jesse

[j12308]

Jesse, Sorry but I don't know why you are bringing up child predators. That has nothing to do w/this inspirational writing from a woman who works really hard to help kids in Sch'dy. It's about everyone doing their part to make our city a better place, by starting w/our children. And, ummm, not in the way you are thinking, just want to clarify that. Too bad this piece was lost on you.

For everyone else, check out this woman's blog: : Wanderings and Musings of a Stubborn Woman

[anothertntony]

After I started reading the "... take a kid to..." lines, I just thought: "Are you KIDDING me!?". The second poster explains why I reacted that way, but not because I agree with that poster.

The constant fear of child predators and sex offenders has effectively made it a crime, or at least a source of intense public suspicion, for adult men to have any contact with children that are not their own. I would never do any of the child-related things on this list. Perhaps women could take a non-relative child to a baseball game or the gym, but the police would likely be called if a man were to do that.

Basically, if it's not my kid or a nephew/niece, I'm not going to be involved in their lives. If I see a child that needs help, I will call the police and make sure they get help, but I won't directly intervene unless they are in serious danger. That is not out of selfishness or a lack of concern for their well-being; it is society's clear preference. To do anything else would land men under the scornful watch of those that see child predators lurking around every corner.

Of course, I do think that children greatly benefit from positive male role models, and too many children unfortunately do not have that. However, that is at least partially a result of the "men are bad" presumption that seems so prevalent. Then again, perhaps Judy's poem was only directed toward women.