Give the kids of Woonsocket a chance

I often see or hear many negative comments about the youth of Woonsocket.

I personally work with youth in the city from the ages of 5 through 17 approximately. I also run a community service based group within the club called the Torch Club.

These children participate in the group by choice. These youth members are representative of the majority of the community of children that we serve. I feel as though it is important to praise the goodness of actions of the youth in the community instead of always focusing on the bad. These young members are the future of this community.

They too, struggle with daily necessities, but do not hesitate when asked to give back to the community. Currently they are in the third year of helping with the Adopt-A-Family program. Many of them are recipients and more than likely are not even aware. When presented with the task of helping other children they do not hesitate to spring into action, with fundraising ideas and also to put the work in to accomplish our goals of helping out families this holiday season.

I encourage others who view “today’s youth” as a nuisance to remember back when they were young and to think about what the older generations thought about them.

In an age where the media exploits the bad in many, youth, law enforcement, minorities, etc I think its more important to show the good. It may be at a local level or a national level. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me in order to work with the youth as well as get to know them.

As I teach them they teach me. It’s not about where you come from, its about where you are going. Bonnie Piekarski Woonsocket