Brandon Twp.-A combination of high unemployment and multitudes of working poor has at least one local school official concerned for some Brandon area youth.
‘I’ve seen a lot more homeless teens staying behind with friends after their parents moved out of state to find work,? said June Wuopio, Sherman Lifelong Learning Center director of community education programs. ‘It runs in a cycle and is a direct manifestation of our poor economy.?
After 25 years in the school district Wuopio says that due to the harsh economic conditions the number of ‘At Risk,? students has increased drastically in the past five years. ‘At Risk? students are defined as at risk because of certain barriers such as living with one parent, being a member of a minority group, or limited English proficiency keeps them from graduating on time.
Jim Rhein, Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth analyst concurs with Wuopio and with the ripple effect that the poor economic conditions have on families.
‘Anytime the work market turns sour people for various reasons must do what they must to survive,? said Rhein.
‘There’s a strain on family life with our weak economy. With the change individuals are going to get forced out of the labor market. I have to agree it’s going to hurt.?
Currently the ‘At Risk? program in the Brandon district provides for 34 Head Start preschool students who are federally funded. In addition 17 Brandon students are also funded by the state under the school Readiness Program.
Wuopio says a few years ago about 25 students were enrolled in ‘At Risk? programs, ‘now there’s a waiting list to enroll.?
‘Some will never make it in the program due to the demand,? said Wuopio. ‘Not having a stable household and no sufficient finances has made the number of economically disadvantaged kids increase.?
As the number of ‘At Risk? students increases in the area the Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance, a local volunteer driven, community based prevention organization utilizing professional people to plan and sponsor programs for children and their families within the Brandon School district area has heightened its work.
Gail Innis, Oakland County youth assistance caseworker for Brandon Groveland says she receives many referrals from parents, police or schools for a variety of issues from truancy to shoplifting to behavioral problems.
‘The number of calls has not increased greatly in recent months,? said Innis. ‘However, I know the need for assistance is out there yet they don’t realize the help is available.?
While the number of referrals has remained constant, Innis says that increases in the number of parents calling for specialized services has increased. Specifically, information for support groups, locations of county agencies offering free or reduced rate counseling.
In addition Innis, who has been a youth assistance caseworker for more than 14 years in the Oakland County area says due to the poor economic conditions clients are often unable to find transportation to regular counseling or after school functions.
As a result the Brandon-Groveland Youth Assistance is now networking with other groups in the community to provide alternative locations for the meetings.
For example, recently a new 4-H Club has been formed at Clarkston Lakes Mobile Home Community near Sashabaw and Seymour Lake roads. The meetings conducted at the community club house provide fun, hands-on learning experiences for kids to excel in school, world awareness and explore science and technology.
‘Many of the kids that get in trouble are kids not getting involved in after school programs,? said Detective Arnie Terrell Brandon Schools liaison officer.
‘When kids are involved in other activities they are learning values from other sources. And if the home-life situation is rough then such activities are vital.?
Terrell who works in the Brandon District emphasizes that he’s in the school to help kids not to charge them with crimes.
‘Most kids know the difference between right and wrong. Of the few (students) that do a wrong and committee a crime, I counsel them and try to determine what caused them to commit that crime.?
Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance offers a variety of services to youth through age 17 and their families who live within the Brandon School District boundries. There programs include: Bucket of Love, Camp and Skill Building, Casework Services, Family Education, Mentors Plus, Shoplifting Prevention and Youth Recognition.