Did you know....

That a recent survey says that only 38.5% of highschoolers in Baltimore City, graduate? We are number four on the list for lowest graduation rates, with Detroit being the worst with a 25% graduation rate. Another interesting fact is that the suburbs surrounding Baltimore City have an 85% graduation rate. The highest rate Baltimore City has seen within the last 10 years is 47%.

These rates make me sick to my stomach! However, I am happy to tell you that the three seniors I have in my progam, are graduating this Spring and on time. I pray for these boys, I beg for God to reveal a plan to these boys, that they will see there's something bigger out there for them if they just continue to seek and chase. I know that at least one of them has a dream to go onto college and possibly play ball. The other two dream and have potential but they need motivation. I pray that God sends positive males into their lives to motivate them and help them stay on the right track.

I think they key to success in all three of these boys, is community involvement, parental involvement and motivation from outside sources. One of these boys comes from an extremely dysfuctional home, where there is a lot of abuse (physical, mental and severe drug abuse by the father) but the one thing that is a priority in their household is doing well in school, in fact a few years ago there father was voted Father of the Year at one of the schools for his involvement in their education. The other two boys come from a family, where their mother is EXTREMELY involved, in fact she's one of the only parents who's ever said thank you to us for what we're doing with her boys, and told us that it's partly because of us that they are were they are. I've taken these three boys to Saturday school on several occasions for so that they could get extra help, or study time.

I smile from ear to ear because I am SO proud of them, and have told them that I will be the crazy white lady screaming as loud as I possibly can when they get there diplomas this spring! I hope you'll join me in praying for these three boys, that they can keep plugging along for the next few months and that I can continue to motivate and encourage them along the way :)!

Photo: One of my graduating Seniors!