Also last week we learned, from investigative reporter Hannah Dreier, that more and more children (150,000/year recently) are being "delivered" over our southern border and often are required to work in order 1) to re-pay the drug-cartel coyotes who bring them across the border and 2) to send money back to their families. Hannah found evidence in all 50 states. In one article the headline read, "This could be happening in your town!"

Fentanyl and the 100,000 American deaths/year from fentanyl, our porous southern border, Mexican drug cartels, fentanyl components made in China and sent to Mexican drug cartels, sex trafficking, and child labor abuse are all related. We have enemies who wish us harm. Evil exists.

That danger exists, even in our own community, is reality. Each of us has to figure out how to interact with our children, how to teach them the skills to make good choices, from toddlers in the home through youth and teens entering the world beyond family. Being a parent is both challenging and fulfilling. We do our best.

Good people exist. I believe there are more good, decent people than bad ones. In recent months in our community, there have been inspiring examples of neighbors, strangers, good citizens, organizations working together to help others through catastrophes and tragedies. We set examples for our children of doing good, of taking action.

In turn, we observe the children eager to do good deeds and to take action. Let's support them in these local efforts. We are raising future citizens of the world. We need their positive energy, ideas and action!

Following the rain are poppies! What is your family's action plan? Parmalee

by Hannah Dreier, Pulitzer prize winning journalist for her stories about the gang MS-13.

"When I started this reporting, I thought that we might find that some kids were working agricultural jobs, maybe dishwasher jobs. I never anticipated that we would find the scope of children working these really industrial, adult, dangerous jobs in all 50 states."

"We have more and more kids coming over without their parents, and they’re being released to situations where they have to pay their own rent, provide their own living expenses. They’re under huge pressure to send money back home. And they’re ending up in some of the most brutal jobs in this country."

I talked to kids outside of slaughterhouses when they were getting off their shifts at 7:00 in the morning. I talked to kids who are working as roofers at the top of buildings, kids who had gotten seriously injured."

Read Democracy Now and Hannah's original article in the NYT.

About Hannah: "I am a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter with The New York Times. Please feel free to contact me at hannah.dreier@nytimes.com or on Signal at 415-672-1508."

Kidpower offers solutions: https://santacruzparent.com/kidpower-helps-us-fight-child-labor-exploitation/

On Saturday, March 25 from 2:00 to 4:00pm, the Mount Madonna School fifth grade class is organizing a community beach cleanup of Platforms Beach in Aptos.

The Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education program is excited to share the new pre-apprenticeship program.

This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a trade career and provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and support in finding apprenticeship opportunities.

by Debbie Reber, Tilt Parenting

I've never thought of the late tween / early teen years as a particularly enchanting time until I read Chris Balme's lovely new book Finding the Magic in Middle School.

Please keep you and your family safe. These resources are available during the storms. Resources > > >