“Speak Life Into A Child, Speak Destiny” – A faith based approach to the challengees facing our youth In Pittsburgh

As part of PSVP’s ongoing partner ”Coffee Talk” education programs, PSVP partner Cynthia Kenderson writes this wonderful post.

“Coffee Talk” –

April 23, 2009

Speaker: Reverend Leonard of East End Cooperative Ministries

I have personally known Reverend Leonard for 25 years.  I first met him at Mt. Ararat Church in East Liberty where he was the Youth Pastor.  And even though the challenges of our youth have increased, his passion and commitment has increased even more.

Rev. Leonard’s discussion was eye-opening and insightful.  He shared with the group the crisis, concerns and challenges facing our youth in Pittsburgh.  From drugs, violence, murders, etc all of which we see on the news day after day.  There is emptiness within their hearts which has escalated from anger to self loathing to self destruction.  Gang violence use to be neighborhood against neighborhood, now it is street per street.  What saddens me the most listening to Rev. Leonard was his concern that this might become a “Throw away generation”.  That programs like the “Pittsburgh Promise” is only for the “Promised”.  Our inner city youth are 4 grades behind, without a stable, family support system, this is almost impossible.

What stood out to me the most from Rev. Leonard’s wisdom and insightful discussion, was the theme “Speak Life into a child, speak Destiny”.  He emphasized that this should be the role of the teacher and our role.  Our words have such an impact on our children; they can destroy or build up a child.  Our youth in crisis come from unstable home environment, some are drug infested, and some of our youth are Transit living from couch to couch.  Their only stability is the educational structure that they attend on a daily basis. 

Our goal is to strategize ways and opportunities to build the esteem, courage and belief that each child is worth his existence.  It is not the lack of intelligence that our youth possess, it is the discipline needed to learn, and learning is a discipline. 

Destiny is an irresistible power conceived of as determining the future.  Let’s become agents of an irresistible power in Pittsburgh.  Let’s become that force that helps to change the face of apathy, fill the heart of emptiness and direct the lost soul of our Youth.

I have two questions for you:

1.            What do you believe is the most pressing problem for our youth?

2.            What are some really effective programs working to build esteem with our youth that you are aware of?

 “Thoughts (Words) lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.”

Tyron Edwards Cynthia M Kenderson