76.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesWhere Is the Change That Was Promised?

Where Is the Change That Was Promised?

Dear Source:
Dear Governor De Jongh:
During the campaign you promised a “future of opportunity” for the Virgin Islands youth. Nine months later all we have seen is the succession of an old system that has failed to provide our youths with real opportunities to succeed.
What future is there for children who are remanded to the youth rehabilitation facility on St. Croix, who sit idle for most of the day without the treatment programs that will give them hope and motivate them to lead productive lifestyles? Where is the vocational training to teach them a trade they can use to become gainfully employed once they are released? Where is the complete educational program they’re entitled to?
When children are not taught new methods in solving the problems and conflicts they experience with their peers, the end result is a child being returned to society and reacting to future conflicts the only way they know how. Violence is most often the only option they know, hence the escalating crime problem we are witnessing.
The shoddy atmosphere and failing physical plant at YRC are demoralizing and is hazardous to the staff and their clients. The leadership team at our facility is incompetent, thus lacking any vision for the future of the facility. Where is the change you promised? Are we going to allow for another generation of children to walk the street without any marketable skills? From my angle, it’s beginning to look like more of the same.
Send Help ASAP.
Gonzalo Rivera
St. Croix

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.