Letter to the Editor

Editor:

Going into my 16th year running a video business in the Richmond District, I grew up with the neighborhood and saw many societal changes (things, people, places).

I have had many children come to our place: both middle and elementary school levels, curiosity seekers and kids with nowhere to go after school, just wanting a place to "hang around."

Later I found they were to become our very own "latchkey-kids." I met with all their parents and guardians and put the kids' energies to work with designated duties, times and schedules - all with a stipend. The parents were very gracious, bringing me and the young folk food.

Time passed and children advanced - many moved on, some out of the neighborhood.

During my time at 1950 Mission St., a division of the SF school district's "drop out prevention unit," 1950 was a term most high schoolers thought of  as a last resort - "Oh, oh, I'm in trouble now," they thought.

Many of these boys and girls have worked at our business over the years - learning and earning. Our prerequisites are punctuality, no cutting work schedules (like they do cutting classes) and providing a copy of report cards, with grade point averages.

All the youth we earlier worked with have graduated high school, moved on to college and are highly-successful young people. One is a very successful author, one is striving to study medicine and one does social work with children. Others are just riding it out before making further decisions.

Recently, we had several young children with us - 11 years of age and younger. These particular youngsters are all "children of domestic violence."

Domestic violence is a very topical issue, with children often being caught in the middle. The very thought makes a person teary-eyed.

My thanks to the many grandmas I have met over the years who are trying to make a difference in the lives of youth.

I have been mentoring young people for more than 30 years - before "mentoring" became a political buzzword. I am presently working as a student advisor within the school district.

We tutor children at our place - teaching them social skills, how to relate to people and adults and, most of all, to smile and laugh. They are full of self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

Some say youth issues are a societal problem. My reply: "We are a society. Get real. Get involved."

Joe Lee
Proprietor, Movie Crazzz