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In a heartwarming initiative, Stark County is addressing child hunger through innovative partnerships. Every Monday, the Stark Community Foundation collaborates with The Repository to highlight positive community efforts. Among these is the Stark County Hunger Task Force’s Summer Backpack for Kids Program. This program ensures children receive nutritious meals during summer breaks when school meals are unavailable. By partnering with local libraries and utilizing bookmobiles, they reach more children in need. With over 20% of Stark County's children facing food insecurity, the program distributes backpacks filled with easy-to-prepare meals weekly. Its success reflects both the growing demand and the task force's dedication to expanding its reach.
During the vibrant yet challenging summer months, ensuring children have access to food becomes paramount. In Stark County, the Hunger Task Force plays a pivotal role by organizing its Backpack for Kids initiative. This year-round effort intensifies during the summer, serving over 2,000 children across 17 elementary schools and various library locations. Executive Director Stephanie Sweany emphasizes the importance of these partnerships, which enable them to meet children wherever they are—whether it’s in school parking lots, library desks, or even on bookmobile stops.
The program began modestly, distributing around 600 backpacks weekly through library collaborations. However, this summer, the number is projected to soar to 1,500 backpacks per week. Each backpack contains carefully selected meals that children can prepare independently, such as mac & cheese and ramen noodles. These meals not only address immediate hunger but also provide consistency and security during weekends when resources may be scarce.
According to Feeding America, approximately 20.5% of children in Stark County face food insecurity. Sweany acknowledges this reality with both sadness and determination, recognizing the ongoing work needed to improve these conditions. She highlights the program's impact on children's physical health, mental focus, and overall potential, emphasizing the critical role proper nourishment plays in their development.
For more information about the Stark County Hunger Task Force and backpack distribution sites, visit their website.
From a journalist's perspective, this initiative exemplifies the power of community collaboration. It demonstrates how strategic partnerships can effectively tackle pressing social issues. The Stark County Hunger Task Force's commitment to reducing child hunger serves as an inspiration, showing what can be achieved when compassion meets action. Their efforts remind us that even small contributions can make a significant difference in improving lives and fostering healthier communities. Such programs underscore the importance of supporting local organizations working tirelessly to create a brighter future for all children.
Wilberson Jolly never imagined he’d walk across a stage to receive his high school diploma. As a teenager navigating the complexities of foster care, his life was marked by constant movement—from Park County to Lakewood to Wheat Ridge. Each time he changed homes, he started fresh at a new school, always feeling like he was playing catch-up, forced to relearn material that stretched all the way back to elementary grades. By the time most of his peers were preparing for graduation, Jolly was still miles behind.
Unfortunately, Jolly’s experience isn’t unique. In Colorado, only about one in four students in foster care graduate on time—a grim statistic that underscores the systemic challenges these young people face. But with the help of a state-backed initiative called Fostering Opportunities, students like Jolly are finding a lifeline. The program offers personalized tutoring, mental health resources, and even funding for extracurricular activities such as sports equipment or musical instruments, all designed to keep students engaged and motivated.
Fostering Opportunities began as a pilot project in Jefferson County before expanding to Denver and Brighton in 2023. During its first full year of operation across multiple districts, the initiative reached approximately 325 students who had been placed in foster care. While the program recently saw a reduction in state funding—dropping from $1.58 million to $1.48 million due to budget constraints—the impact it has made cannot be understated.
Participants in the program meet regularly with a designated school liaison who helps them stay on track academically and emotionally. These coordinators serve as consistent figures in an otherwise unstable environment, guiding students through coursework, connecting them with tutors, and encouraging participation in school activities that build confidence and community. For Jolly, these weekly check-ins were instrumental in helping him regain focus and eventually earn his diploma.
Beyond high school, another initiative—FosterEd—is opening doors to college for former foster youth. Since launching in late 2022, FosterEd has awarded more than $4.6 million in tuition assistance to over 1,100 students. Nearly 260 of those recipients are currently enrolled in higher education programs, with full coverage of tuition, books, and other essential expenses. Eligibility is based on having been in foster care on or after the age of thirteen, ensuring that support arrives when it can make the most difference.
This financial backing removes a major barrier for students who might otherwise believe college is out of reach. Unlike traditional scholarships or loans, FosterEd provides comprehensive coverage without the burden of repayment, allowing students to concentrate on their studies rather than worrying about how to pay for them. This kind of investment doesn’t just change individual lives—it strengthens communities by empowering young adults to become productive, self-sufficient citizens.
A two-year study conducted by the University of Denver followed 95 students participating in the Jefferson County pilot of Fostering Opportunities. The findings were promising: participants showed improved attendance, better academic performance, and fewer disciplinary incidents compared to non-participants. Although the study couldn’t yet confirm long-term effects on graduation rates due to limited sample size, early indicators suggest the program is making a measurable impact.
These outcomes reinforce what educators and child welfare advocates have long suspected: stable, supportive relationships combined with targeted academic interventions can dramatically improve outcomes for foster youth. Schools identify eligible students through collaboration with county child welfare agencies, ensuring that those most in need receive tailored assistance. Once enrolled, students gain access to a network of support that includes both structured guidance and flexible funding to address their specific needs.
For Jolly, earning his diploma wasn’t just a symbolic victory—it was the beginning of a new chapter. By the time he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, he already had a job lined up at Ross Dress for Less and was living independently in a subsidized apartment. Now, he’s considering a career in law enforcement, a path he once thought impossible.
Looking back, Jolly credits much of his success to the steady presence of his Fostering Opportunities coordinator, who stayed with him through setbacks and breakthroughs alike. Their conversations weren’t just about homework or test scores—they were about goals, resilience, and the belief that he could achieve something meaningful despite the obstacles stacked against him.
Jolly also expressed a wish for future students: that they learn about these programs sooner rather than later. He believes every child entering foster care should be introduced to available resources immediately, giving them a fighting chance to succeed from day one. His story highlights the importance of early intervention and consistent support—not just as tools for academic achievement, but as lifelines that restore hope and direction.
This year, Texas legislators allocated an additional $100 million to a scholarship fund aimed at helping families afford early child care, marking a significant step toward addressing long waitlists and financial burdens. Despite this investment, advocates argue that critical opportunities to support children with disabilities were overlooked during the legislative session. Experts from nonprofits and advocacy groups emphasize that while expanded scholarships offer some relief, they fall short of creating systemic change for families facing unique challenges. Proposals such as expanding public preschool access for children with disabilities and offering enhanced training for caregivers failed to gain traction. However, one signed bill seeks to improve inter-agency coordination in hopes of fostering more effective policy development around early childhood education for children with special needs.
The recent legislative session ended on June 2 with both progress and unmet goals in the realm of early childhood education. While the added funding is expected to ease some of the financial strain on families seeking child care, many say it does not fully address the deep-rooted issues affecting those with children who have disabilities. Bethany Edwards, a researcher and parent of a child with disabilities, noted that these families often struggle across multiple areas—from finding qualified caregivers to navigating complex systems of support. She emphasized that while policy solutions exist, implementation remains slow and fragmented.
David Feigen, director of early learning at Texans Care for Children, highlighted the importance of inclusive early education programs for children with disabilities. He explained that exposure to early learning environments can significantly impact developmental outcomes, particularly when these children are integrated with their typically developing peers. Research supports this, showing that inclusive settings foster motivation and accelerated skill-building among children with special needs. Despite these benefits, current eligibility criteria for public preschools do not automatically include all children with disabilities, leaving many without adequate access to necessary services.
Katrina Campbell, CEO of the Brighton Center in San Antonio, stressed the value of inclusion during the formative years. Her organization runs a preschool program that serves children across the disability spectrum and actively works to help other child care providers adapt their practices to accommodate more diverse needs. The Brighton Center faces financial challenges due to the gap between scholarship payments and actual monthly costs, but continues to seek alternative funding through fundraising and community partnerships. Campbell hopes that by training other centers, more spaces will open up for children with disabilities across the state.
One piece of legislation that did pass—House Bill 2310—aims to streamline efforts among key state agencies involved in child care policy. By encouraging collaboration between the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Health and Human Services Commission, the bill seeks to create a more unified approach to supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities. Advocates like Feigen believe similar inter-agency efforts have shown promise in other areas of child care, and hope this new alignment will lead to meaningful improvements. Still, skepticism remains about how quickly or effectively this initiative will translate into real-world changes for struggling families.
While Texas lawmakers made strides in boosting child care funding, many families of children with disabilities continue to face barriers that remain unaddressed by recent reforms. The newly signed bill promoting agency cooperation offers a framework for future action, but tangible results may take time. For now, organizations like the Brighton Center and advocates across the state continue to fill gaps where they can, hoping that sustained pressure and collaboration will eventually lead to a more inclusive and equitable system of early childhood care and education.
For over three decades, Glenn Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, has dedicated his life to steering youth away from incarceration. As founder of the nonprofit Life Connections, he has impacted more than 5,600 young people and their families through programs centered on mentorship, family strengthening, restorative justice, emotional development, mental health support, and job training. Many participants have been referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice. One such success story is Rob Holbrook, who transformed his life after being incarcerated for drug-related charges. With Smith's guidance, Holbrook earned a professional license and now leads a meaningful life. Recently honored with the Community Leadership Award by the Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network, Smith remains committed at age 72 to continuing his transformative mission.
In the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Glenn Smith has built a legacy that spans generations. His organization, Life Connections, was established with a clear mission: to guide at-risk youth toward brighter futures and away from the criminal justice system. Since its inception, the initiative has supported over 5,600 young individuals and their families, many of whom were referred by local juvenile justice authorities. The programs are comprehensive, offering mentorship, emotional resilience training, kinship-building activities, mental health counseling, and vocational skills development. Smith’s approach emphasizes personal growth and community reintegration, values that have helped countless youths reclaim their lives. Among them is Rob Holbrook, who, after facing a four-year jail sentence for attempted drug trafficking over a decade ago, found purpose through Life Connections. Under Smith’s mentorship, Holbrook acquired essential life skills that led him to become a licensed public insurance adjuster. Their first meeting took place inside the Mecklenburg County jail, where Holbrook attended one of Smith’s transformative classes. Now, both celebrate a journey of renewal and hope.
Glenn Smith's work with Life Connections offers more than just rehabilitation—it provides a second chance at life. As a journalist covering this story, it becomes evident that true change doesn't come solely from policy or punishment, but from compassion, guidance, and opportunity. Smith’s unwavering dedication shows how one person can create a ripple effect in a community, turning potential futures behind bars into productive lives contributing to society. What stands out most is not just the scale of impact—over 5,600 lives touched—but the depth of transformation experienced by individuals like Rob Holbrook. This narrative reminds us that redemption is possible when systems focus on healing rather than just punishment. It also highlights the importance of long-term investment in youth development and mental well-being. At a time when recidivism rates remain high, Smith’s model serves as an inspiring blueprint for holistic intervention and human-centered change.
A significant stride in combating child exploitation has been made evident through extensive rescue missions across India. Over the span from April 2024 to March this year, nearly 90% of the 44,902 children liberated were ensnared in labor conditions. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts between numerous voluntary organizations and local authorities. The operations predominantly focused on rescuing children from labor-intensive environments, with an overwhelming number of interventions (23,530) addressing child labor issues. Additional cases tackled sexual exploitation and instances of children being coerced into begging. Notably, Telangana led the charge with the highest count of rescued children from labor situations.
Addressing other forms of exploitation, West Bengal emerged as a leader in rescuing children from sexual exploitation. The data underscores a broader pattern where certain states exhibit higher incidences of such rescues, indicating regional challenges and responses. Furthermore, the report highlights legal actions taken during these operations, emphasizing the importance of registering official complaints. Approximately 35% of the operations resulted in formal FIRs, a crucial step towards ensuring accountability for those exploiting children. Other measures included entries in General Diaries, orders from welfare committees, and administrative penalties issued by labor departments. Despite these efforts, there remains room for improvement, especially concerning the proportion of cases without documented legal action.
The battle against child exploitation in India reflects a promising trajectory, marked by increased prosecution rates and arrests of traffickers and employers. According to the report, over 5,800 individuals have been arrested in connection with these rescue missions, primarily linked to child labor offenses. States like Telangana, Bihar, and Rajasthan have demonstrated robust enforcement, while others lag behind, pointing to disparities in implementation. Additionally, the issue of missing children intersects with these efforts, as many identified as missing are later found in exploitative circumstances. Through active coordination with tracking systems, states such as West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Bihar have successfully traced a substantial number of missing children. These initiatives exemplify how systematic intervention can transform the lives of vulnerable children, fostering a safer environment for future generations.
A clever prank orchestrated by a young student showcased the power of creativity and sibling dynamics. The story begins with a substitute teacher in the classroom, unaware of an impending mischief. One day, a girl faced relentless bullying from a classmate. Tired of the harassment, she devised a plan involving clear glue strategically placed on the bully's chair. When the unsuspecting tormentor sat down, her skirt became stiff and sticky, causing quite a commotion. Naturally, when questioned about the incident, the young prankster cleverly used her unique situation as a fraternal twin to her advantage, claiming it was her sibling who had pulled the prank.
Subsequent events unfolded as the substitute left a note detailing the incident, mentioning the supposed involvement of the twin. Upon the regular teacher's return, the prankster was called aside for a stern discussion about safety rules and school policies concerning impersonation. Unfortunately, this led to confusion and unintended consequences for her twin brother, who was mistakenly implicated in the incident. Despite being known as the troublemaker, he found himself reprimanded unjustly while his sister, usually seen as the model student, escaped immediate scrutiny. Their mother eventually intervened, questioning their explanation but ultimately grounding the brother for his previous misdeeds.
This incident marked a turning point in their relationship, as the twin began using sarcasm to mock the sister whenever she strayed from the rules, inadvertently creating a myth among classmates about a fictional twin named Maria. Years later, during high school, another set of twins expressed envy over missing out on such pranks. This prompted a confession from the original prankster, revealing the truth behind the tale. Through this experience, both siblings learned valuable lessons about responsibility, honesty, and the importance of supporting each other, proving that even playful deceptions can lead to meaningful growth and understanding.
In today's information-saturated world, children encounter a constant stream of data and opinions even before the school day begins. To navigate this complex landscape, they require robust critical thinking skills that allow them to pause and thoughtfully assess the validity of the content they consume. At the heart of these skills lies intellectual humility—the recognition that one does not possess all answers and can be mistaken. This mindset fosters healthy skepticism and equips young minds with the tools necessary for discernment.
Intellectual humility is best nurtured through modeling by adults, as children learn not only from what they are told but also by observing adult behavior. When adults demonstrate uncertainty or revise their beliefs openly, they encourage engagement and motivation in learners. However, embracing intellectual humility can be challenging due to overconfidence effects and discomfort in admitting limitations. Practical strategies such as using phrases like "I don’t know" and "I was wrong" help overcome these barriers while promoting curiosity, research skills, and adaptability in thinking.
Admitting ignorance serves as both an educational opportunity and a lesson in lifelong learning. By acknowledging when they lack knowledge, adults model honesty and intellectual curiosity, encouraging children to seek out credible sources and engage in fact-checking. Moreover, it highlights that unanswered questions hold immense potential for discovery and excitement.
Saying "I don’t know" transforms moments of uncertainty into valuable teaching opportunities. It invites collaboration in finding answers, reinforcing research techniques and source evaluation. Unanswered mysteries spark wonder, reminding children that the pursuit of knowledge is ongoing. This approach shifts the perception of ignorance from a flaw to a natural state of curiosity, inspiring continuous growth and exploration. For instance, instead of guessing at obscure questions, adults can use them to discuss competing theories and emphasize the thrill of unsolved problems. Ultimately, this practice cultivates a mindset where not knowing becomes a springboard for deeper understanding rather than a source of embarrassment.
Acknowledging errors demonstrates adaptability and rationality, showcasing how new evidence can refine our understanding. Modeling belief revision involves identifying mistakes, explaining corrections, and reflecting on lessons learned. This process teaches children that revising ideas based on better evidence is a hallmark of strong thinkers.
When adults admit being wrong, they illustrate the dynamic nature of knowledge and the importance of staying informed. Demonstrating updates through concrete examples—such as correcting outdated facts—highlights the provisional nature of information. Praising children for similar behaviors reinforces intellectual humility, turning moments of correction into celebrations of openness and growth. Strategies like naming errors, providing reasons for changes, and summarizing takeaways empower learners to view shifting perspectives positively. Additionally, avoiding judgmental language ensures corrections are framed as successes rather than failures. Over time, repeated instances of modeled and praised intellectual humility lay the groundwork for critical thinking, fostering a generation equipped to handle ambiguity and misinformation effectively.
Modern parenting has become a battleground of opinions, with smartphones at the center. Sara Davies, from Dragons’ Den, shares her unique approach to fostering real-world connections among children by confiscating devices during playdates. By implementing a "no-tech" policy at home, she advocates for meaningful interactions and outdoor activities. This practice highlights broader debates within parenting circles about technology's role in childhood development. While some embrace this method, others question its practicality and potential impact on social dynamics.
Beyond tech management, parents frequently judge one another over countless decisions, from feeding choices to bedtime routines. These judgments often stem from insecurity but can create divisive environments. Davies’s initiative reflects a growing movement towards limiting screen time, emphasizing healthier alternatives for children. Yet, as discussions intensify, differing perspectives challenge established norms, prompting reflection on what truly benefits kids today.
Sara Davies champions a simple yet effective strategy to combat excessive screen time among children. Upon arrival, guests surrender their gadgets into a designated box located near the entrance, ensuring uninterrupted playtime. Her sons, aged 11 and 8, benefit from lively conversations and active games instead of being glued to screens. This tactic fosters stronger interpersonal skills and boosts creativity through collaborative play. Parents who adopt similar methods report positive outcomes, noting enhanced communication and teamwork among children.
Implementing such measures requires confidence amidst societal pressures. Many fear judgment from peers when enforcing strict rules around technology use. For instance, Davies hesitates to discuss her practices openly within her community due to concerns about appearing critical of others' approaches. However, research supports limiting screen exposure, linking it to improved mental health and academic performance. Advocates argue that these restrictions help protect young minds from premature immersion in digital worlds, allowing them to develop essential life skills naturally. As more families embrace this philosophy, there is hope for cultivating balanced lifestyles where technology complements rather than dominates childhood experiences.
Parenting styles have long been subject to scrutiny, with smartphones adding a new layer of complexity. Decisions ranging from birth preferences to meal selections spark intense debates among caregivers. When hosting playdates, even seemingly trivial queries like dietary restrictions reveal underlying tensions. Responses such as "only plain pasta" or "can't get enough broccoli" subtly communicate values and priorities, influencing perceptions of competence and dedication. Such exchanges highlight the pervasive nature of parental judgment, which often masks deeper insecurities about raising well-adjusted children.
To navigate these challenges effectively, experts recommend focusing on shared goals rather than differences. Emphasizing mutual respect and understanding can reduce hostility while encouraging constructive dialogue. Organizations like Smartphone Free Childhood promote awareness about the adverse effects of early smartphone adoption, providing resources for concerned parents. Their efforts aim to unite communities in prioritizing holistic development over fleeting technological conveniences. Ultimately, fostering empathy and collaboration may lead to more harmonious relationships among parents, enabling collective progress toward nurturing future generations successfully. Despite inevitable disagreements, acknowledging diverse perspectives enriches the parenting journey, reminding us all that no single path guarantees success—but open-mindedness certainly enhances our chances.