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Opening and Closing Remarks Delivered by
U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
White House Conference on Helping
America's Youth
Session VII: Connecting with Community on a Local Level
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Thank you, Herbert [Corleto, Alumnus, Homeboy Industries], for
introducing me and for sharing your story with us.
Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the last panel of the day,
Connecting with Community on a Local Level.
Before we begin, I want to thank First Lady Laura Bush for her
leadership in putting this wonderful conference together. She knows how
important community involvement is to helping young people make the right
choices in life. Whether it's a parent, coach, mentor, teacher, pastor or
volunteer-everyone can make a difference.
Our panel this afternoon will highlight community based programs that
are helping some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.
One of the things we will focus on is helping young people learn a
skill, so they can get a job, build confidence and reach their full potential.
Speaking as someone whose family immigrated to the United States to find better
opportunities, let me say that there is so much opportunity in America. Each
year, one-third of our entire workforce of 150 people changes jobs because of
new opportunities. Today, people can start over at any age. The average
American will have had 10 jobs by the time he or she is 38 years old. So,
mobility and experimentation are the norm in our society. But it's important to
complete your education, to develop a skill and to be open to learning new
things. Several of our panelists are going to talk about how meaningful work
can give young people a second chance and turn their lives around.
Soft skills are also important. Many employers tell the Labor Department
that they can teach workers the technical skills for just about any job. What
they need are workers who are ready to learn. Workers who can show up on time,
get along with others, complete assignments and take direction. Teaching the
soft skills is a key element of many of the youth employment and training
programs supported by the Labor Department. But our experience shows that
government can't do it all. That's why we're here to talk about community
involvement, because communities know best how to help the young people in
their neighborhoods.
So, our panelists will share their experiences building successful,
community based programs that really work. Our first speaker is Father Gregory
Boyle, the Founder and Executive Director of Jobs for a Future/Homeboy
Industries in Los Angeles. Father Boyle's organization helps former gang
members and other at-risk youth, get ready for work and employs these young
people in a variety of innovative enterprises.
Next, we will hear from Dr. Gary Slutkin, founder and Executive
Director of Ceasefire Chicago. His work shows that it's possible to change
violent group behavior through a combination of peer outreach, trained clergy,
public education and community action.
Then we will hear from Pulitzer Prize winning author, Dr. Scott
Momaday. Dr. Momaday will share with us his experience helping Native American
young people restore their connection to their elders and cherish their
cultural heritage.
And finally, we will hear from Michael Tenbusch and Daniel Varner,
Co-founders of Think Detroit. Their organization helps inner-city youth build
character, self-discipline and a commitment to excellence through team sports
and positive, caring coach mentors.
So, now, I am delighted to turn over the podium to Father Boyle.
# # #
I want to thank each of our panelists for their remarkable work and for
sharing their stories with us. Aren't they an inspiration?
I want to close by summarizing the themes we have heard and how
communities can tap these principles to help young people at risk.
First, Father Boyle's program for former gang members shows how a job
can break the cycle of bad choices for at-risk youth. Herbert Corleto is a
great example of the self-confidence and pride that come with having a job and
doing it well. Father Boyle gave him, and many others, a second chance at a new
life by hiring them on the spot. I hope their story will encourage employers
all across America to welcome other young people who want to make the same
commitment.
Dr. Slutkin's work shows that it's possible to interrupt the cycle of
violent behavior in young men and women and to put their lives on a more
positive track. I was especially struck by his emphasis on peer group
psychology in helping young people make the right choices.
Dr. Momaday highlighted the key role that culture plays in grounding
young people in their communities and providing them with crucial support
networks.
And finally, Think Detroit demonstrates what every high school coach
knows-that team sports is a great way to reach young people and build
character. Self-discipline, confidence and teamwork are just a few of the
positive qualities that young people can learn from sports.
As the President has said many times before, compassion is the quality
that makes our country and our people so great. As the former President of the
United Way of America and Director of the Peace Corps, I have seen firsthand
the power of that compassion to change lives. So, I hope our panelists have
inspired communities all across America to put compassion into action, so that
every young person in our country has the opportunity to realize
his or her dreams.
Thank you.
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