Someone very dear to me recently appeared on Dr. Phil to discuss her addiction to gambling. For me, this wasn’t just another episode of Dr. Phil. It was personal because I’ve seen my friend struggle. I’ve listened as she described her inability to stop inserting coins into a slot or to stop buying scratch-off tickets. I’ve heard the guilt and shame in her voice after yet another gambling binge where she’s lost her rent money and her dignity. As I watched her bare her soul on national television—looking for answers and begging for help—two things stood out to me. First, if you want something different, you must do something different. Second, change takes time but is well worth the wait. Those two principles apply across a broad spectrum of situations, whether we’re talking about breaking free from an addiction or healing a community.

Our community is struggling. As the Restorative Justice Program Director for Communities Supporting Schools (CSS) and a juvenile defender, I know this firsthand. Our community is struggling to cope with the rash of issues bombarding our youth. Detentions centers are overcrowded and under-resourced. Mental health professionals and facilities have months-long waiting lists. Countless teachers, social workers, juvenile court counselors and nearly every other profession tasked with bettering the lives of our youth are at their breaking point. Again, these aren’t just generic statements. They hit close to home for me. Over the last few months, two youth that I’ve represented have tragically lost their lives. And it pains me to see our community appear in the news time and time again for tragic incidents involving our young people. This just shouldn’t be. But as Dr. Phil told my friend, there is hope.

Our community cares for our youth. That can’t be denied. The level of support that CSS alone receives in fulfilling its mission to serve the youth of Wayne County is testament to the care our community has for its young people. The members of our community give of their time and resources in doing everything from reading to children at the schools we serve to providing notebooks and paper and pens during our school supply drive to volunteering their time to encourage and redirect youth referred to our Teen Court program. So, yes, our community gives, and it gives generously. But it appears there is a more intense need.



Communities Supporting Schools is not content to rest on its laurels. We are exploring ways to address some of the deeper needs impacting the youth of Wayne County. We know that it is not enough to simply lament the problems our youth face. We understand that if we want something different, we must do something different, and CSS is committed to doing something different for the best interests of our youth and the betterment of our community. At CSS, we also understand that true change takes time, and we’re committed to investing the time and effort necessary to produce the lasting change our youth deserve. And we trust that the citizens of Wayne County will continue to support us in our efforts, so we thank you in advance.