Dear Editor:
The recent tragic, brutal and senseless murder of a teen in Hoboken a couple of weeks ago brought out what has been very evident for some time. Despite the impressive revitalization of such communities as Hoboken and Jersey City, there remain a significant number of residents who are trapped and isolated by poverty, being prone to exposure to gangs and violence. The Hoboken administration and its residents should be commended for taking a strong stand in combating the violence and gangs that plague a troubled neighborhood in their community.
However, it is not possible to tackle systemic poverty in our communities without addressing the low level of educational performance of many of our disadvantaged children. Particularly in the higher-grade levels, this deficiency in performance becomes more evident as the children fall further and further behind. Without bright and stable prospects for the future, such children may become more susceptible to following the wrong path for their lives. Schools have already designed educational programs to assist these children at risk. However, it is also possible for the community at-large to become involved. After-school community mentors and tutors to assist with homework and school projects may go a long way to help reinforce and augment what the students re taught in class. The volunteer program would also help to inspire these students to develop career paths based on their dreams and innate abilities. With the many thousands of highly professional residents residing in our county, augmented by the hundreds of students from our local colleges and universities, there should be an ample pool of potential mentors and volunteer tutors available for the task. By mobilizing the ample resources that already exist, we can make our communities a better and safer place for everyone.
Scott Wasmuth