Stein, C. (1998, December 13). One kid at a time. The Boston Globe Magazine, pp. 14-34.

OVERVIEW

MISSION

Where typical social services have failed to lure kids living in depressed urban areas away from poverty, drug, and crime, this program attempts to rescue young people (ages 16 to 24) from very high risk areas by intensive one-on-one contact with a committed street worker and appropriate resources.

STRATEGY

What distinguishes this program from the umpteen well-meaning programs that have come before it? One thing is its intensity. The government refers to the effort as a "saturation" strategy, because a significant amount of money ($2.2 million federal grant to Boston) is being poured into one small area (the poorest sections of South Boston and Roxbury. South Boston is mostly white; Roxbury most black. This article highlights stories of Rull in S. Boston.).

‘This (sections in this two neighborhoods) is going to be our laboratory,’ says Neil Sullivan, president of the Boston Private Industry Council, which handles the job-training branch of he effort. Like a laboratory, the neighborhoods are small enough so that those conducting the experiment can really focus on their subjects, an estimated 600 young people.

The experiment will run for three years, longer than the typical government grant. Unlike some programs, which work with the best-motivated people, this one will concentrate mainly on the toughest cases. "These are kids no one wanted to touch," says Susan Lange, Sullivan’s deputy.

Many of the young people have been recommended by police officers (who have been more neighborhood involved) and probation officers (now working along side the police actually visiting in homes). They hope that some combination of school and employment will prove an attractive alternative to a life of crime. The failure rate here is likely to be higher than in past anti-poverty programs, but, by the same token, the successes should be more meaningful.

But the real key to this program is the intensive contact and relationships between these youth and caring street workers. That is what this article is mostly about. Leo Hull (33) is one of these youth workers. He grew up in South Boston, and knew personal tragedy.

His father spent time in prison. He and most of his family dropped out of school. He dabbled in crime and, at various times, was addicted to angel dust and cocaine. At 24, he got sober and started to turn his life around. He began to work with kids, first as a volunteer, later as a professional.

Leo knows how to listen to these young men. He hears about suicides, homicides, crime, drugs, school failure, home problems, hopelessness—the whole bit. He is able to respond with patience and persistence...and with tough love.

Leo and his fellow workers know what it’s like to see a young person get interested in an alternative life style, get a GED, some job training, get into a good job, and suddenly blow it. They are there to start all over.

Day after day, Rull is out there contacting young friends.

Recently, he paid a visit to a South Boston kid who is locked up at the Suffolk County House of Correction. Rull spoke to the young man over the summer and told him he was headed for trouble if his behavior didn’t change. He was right. But when he visited the jail, it wasn’t to gloat or say, ‘I told you so.’

Says Rull: ‘I told him I won’t give up on him. He is not hopeless. What I am hoping is that when he is in enough pain, instead of killing someone or himself, he will go for that other door. Me, I want that door to be open for him when he is ready for change.’

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you think this kind of situation—in poor, depressed areas—calls for personal contact and systemic resources? Do you think it is good for government and private organizations to work together? Do you believe in the "charitable choice" option that allows government to direct funds to religious organizations?
2. How well do you expect this program to work? What do you see as keys for its success?
3. Would you like to see this kind of program in your city or a situation near you?
4. What is the best program for urban kids you know?
5. Is there anything from this article you can take away with you?

IMPLICATIONS

1. It is important that this program tie into all other programs in Boston. Since police and probation officers have been cooperating in Boston, they have seen real changes. No matter how well funded, programs need to collaborate with all that is going on and other resources.
2. Finding committed street workers (usually in their late twenties or thirties) is essential in every city. These workers need support, training, and career guidance. They are grass roots professionals.
3. It is vital that all appropriate aspects of government, the business sector, and private organizations, and churches collaborate in this challenge.