48°
To The Editor:
During the Board of Education meeting last night, (Tuesday, May 5) the mayor’s newly formed youth council spoke eloquently about pay to play, a topic that affects their peers. I was most impressed that they were not just speaking from their own experiences but on behalf of others whose parents may not have the funds to pay for them to play high school sports.
It is no surprise that Darlene Young, who also eloquently spoke on behalf of Mayor Rilling and the program, was asked to work with the youth council. Darlene has 17 years of experience working with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which involves coaching the children on the interview process as well as fundraising to support the program, finding employers and placing the children in positions. She is very unselfish which enables her to make everything about the children and not about herself.
Darlene works with others in the community who have youth group organizations and, many years ago, she started a group with other community women to mentor youth. This was done on her own time and her own dime. She attends countless meetings on behalf of the city and the youth, but more than that, she doesn’t do it for politics or to be seen.
She actually puts in the work, working one-on-one or in groups with children from all walks of life. She is the type of person who won’t call attention to herself and will continue to perform well whether recognized or not. As someone who began her current career working and advocating for youth, I appreciate her heart and just want to say, great job, Darlene!
Sherelle Harris
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