Gun violence more than a decade ago cost more than $14 billion, over 80% percent of that total was picked up by taxpayers. This $14 billion should not be used to pay for violence that destroys our youth and increases our crime rates. However, it can be used to build up our youth; promote funding to support more extracurricular activities through schools and churches; actively participate on city councils and community service.

It is not the mere responsibility of just parents and teachers, but any adult who is willing to mentor and help our youth become productive citizens. Young people must be surrounded by caring adults that say to them, “Just because you have struggles do not mean that you can achieve greatness.” In 2005, President Bush announced the Helping Youth Initiative in his State of the Union Address that encouraged an effort to engage all Americans in helping youth develop into healthy adults. Bush identifies that supportive relationships are vital to an adolescent’s well-being. As adults we must follow the three C’s of: care, connect and commit.

Youth will commit themselves to reaching their maximum potential and being the change they wish to see in their communities with the support of caring adults and youth programs. By encouraging the character of our youth, we must also push their involvement in organizations such as 4-H, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Youth Service America or the U.S. Public Service Academy, which provide opportunities for youth to become vocal citizens.

YOUth in Action is empowering youth with responsibility and confidence to get involved and change their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.  YOUth in Action is putting America’s youth in the driver’s seat. YOUth in Action is inspiring confidence in our youth to stay focused on being healthy adults and staying away from negative influences.

As Miss Black Kentucky USA 2009, I will continue advocating the importance of youth development across the Bluegrass State and America.

Yours in Service,

TAMIRA ANTWIONETTE COLE

Tamira Antwionette Cole

Miss Black Kentucky USA 2009

OFFICIAL CHARITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INITIATIVES OF MISS BLACK KENTUCKY USA 2009
Please support the official charities, organizations and initiatives of Miss Black Kentucky USA 2009. You can click on the organization’s website link and find out how to get involved or volunteer.

	www.national4-H.org 4-H is one of the world’s largest youth organizations! 4-H provides young people with leadership and citizenship development through community service, project areas, civic involvement, and leadership opportunities through the national level.
	www.girlsforachange.org Girls For A Change is a national organization that empowers girls to create social change. Founded in 2002, young women are able to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods. Girls For a Change is based out of Santa Clara, California, and has a network of more than 1,100.
	www.uspublicserviceacademy.org Founded by Teach for America Founders, Christopher Ash and Sean Raymond, the U.S. Public Service Academy is a current initiative to develop the first ever undergraduate institution devoted to civilian leadership in the public sector. The U.S. Public Service Academy is modeled after military academies and will provide four years of tuition-free education in exchange for five years of civilian service proceeding graduation. Leadership for the U.S. Public Service Academy is provided through youth advisory councils in each state.