A challenge to Chatham County - Let's lead our state in love

By Maggie Crandall
Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008

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Siler City, NC - We have an opportunity, as a community, to show our state how special our county is. On Thursday April 17, at 10:30 a.m., there will be an open house for the new Juvenile Justice facility at 560 Progress Blvd. in Siler City.

I believe that we have a unique opportunity to begin right at the beginning of this facility. It will house young ladies under 16 years of age.

I want to challenge our community to make this statement of love: We here in Chatham County believe that everyone can have a second chance in life. Certainly at an age of under 16, we believe that youngsters can become good citizens and bring constructive gifts to our world.

I have spoke with the facility chaplain, Rev. James Wicker, and he says that there are many ways that community groups can make a difference in the lives of these girls. Perhaps you belong to a community group or church that would like to put on a birthday or holiday party; perhaps you would like to offer tutoring or mentoring; there may be materials that the facility staff needs to make programs better.

Please consider coming to the open house -- or sending a representative of your organization. Perhaps you have a mission or outreach coordinator -- they would be ideal. You may contact the chaplain directly: James.Wicker@ncmail.net

Let's think big, Chatham County. Why not have our county show all the other counties in our state what it means to surround kids in trouble with love and good examples of what it means to be a citizen of North Carolina? Perhaps these youngsters have never known what it is to receive kindness just for kindness' sake? Perhaps they have never known a grown-up who has not used them or betrayed them?

Maybe you look back in your own life and see mistakes you made -- stupid mistakes -- but you didn't pay the serious consequences that you might have. Perhaps you shoplifted because you wanted something you couldn't afford like the rich kids in your school? Perhaps you went drinking and driving -- but you didn't have an accident? These girls have made mistakes -- and they have been caught. We can stand up as citizens and say -- there is a better way and we need you to bring your gifts and talents to positive ends.

This is a brand new facility that can bring a brand new start to young lives. Let's stand beside the staff and say -- we love you and we in Chatham County stand four-square for a fresh start and a second chance!

Finally -- I want to mention some information that I received from the chaplain of the largest women's prison in California. He told me that 95% of the female inmates he serves have been abused as children. That means that a grown up used the body of a child for selfish purposes and instead of taking care of that child they betrayed the child's trust. I don't know anything about the backgrounds of the youngsters who will be in this facility -- but I do know that it is highly likely that this may be the case in these young lives. Let us have mercy so that healing may begin.

RSVP to Nicole Ellis, 919 733 3388, ext. 8144 or email to Nicole.Ellis@ncmail.net