The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Staff Photo by Joel Turner:
Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello said it is far cheaper to educate children than to incarcerate them as adults. |
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
Approximately 50 residents in Rocky Mount and Franklin County told Congressman Tom Perriello on Monday that Franklin County needs a youth center.
They told Perriello that a youth center is especially needed for youth in underprivileged and low-incomes families who can't afford private athletic and after-school facilities.
Some families are unable to pay the fees at the Franklin County YMCA and other private clubs, they said.
Perriello, who spent Monday in Franklin County, met with the supporters of a youth center to listen to a series of speakers talk about the need for such a center.
Earlier in the day, Perriello attended the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast.
From the MLK breakfast, he visited a dairy farm in Callaway here he held a news conference to discuss the tough economic conditions facing dairy farmers.
From the dairy farm, Perriello returned to Rocky Mount where he performed community service at Heavenly Manna Food Bank.
He served alongside volunteers at Heavenly Manna.
From there, Perriello went to meet with the supporters of a youth center Monday afternoon.
Perriello told the group that he understands the need for a youth center. He said it is far cheaper to educate children than to incarcerate them as adults.
Several speakers told Perriello that they believe that a youth center can play an important role in preventing youths from ending up in the criminal justice system.
Youth centers can provide mentors for young people, Perriello said. Youth centers can also provide a valuable service in caring for children after school.
"The gap between the end of the school day and the end of the work day for parents is getting longer," Perriello said. "Some parents have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet."
Perriello said he will work with the youth center supporters to see what facilities are needed and whether federal Community Development Block Grant
funds might be available to help finance it.
Mike Patterson, director of the youth center, said a fundraising drive will begin soon to raise funds for it. Some businessmen have agreed to work with the center in the fundraising campaign, he added.
Patterson said that more volunteers are needed to help with the campaign.
At the dairy farm press conference, Perriello said the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently started processing $290 million for loss assistance payments to dairy farmers.
As a member of the Congressional Dairy Caucus, Perriello pushed for the funds and supported the agriculture appropriations bill that authorized them.
The Fifth District has more than 200 dairy farmers that contribute $80 million a year to the local economy. Dairy farmers are experiencing one of the toughest years n the harsh economic climate. |
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