THE PROBLEM

Urban kids typically live in or around large or small cities. They often grow up with a single parent, the mother, and an absent or disengaged father. Their neighborhoods become their “world” where “homies” have more influence than the classroom teacher. “Surviving for today” is their mantra; selling or using drugs, participating in gang conflicts, or hanging out on the “block” is their only focus. They bring this mentality into the schools and dreams of a productive tomorrow rarely cross their minds. How do we move them from surviving to thriving…