Helping those "in need".

A good and trusted friend of mine is also a judge. I mentioned the other day that part of what he does is to correct other's parental mistakes. So I was not surprised to read in the Sunday Nation that he called this week for us all (civil society) to save "our young people" by "adopting those who need help." [The picture comes with a similar story in the Advocate.] 

Worthy words and asking for worthy deeds. It would have been a good challenge to start during Lent. I endorse the plea, but would add that those "who need help" are not just those young people who look or sound disadvantaged; they are a bigger group and it may be harder because of that to hear all the pleas. I have coached sports for a long time and been around those who do the same; one task that we often have thrust on us is "surrogate" parenting. In the solidly middle class part of the US where I lived, none of these children needed help in a financial sense, but they came with moral and other social needs that I thought I could address. I see similar needs around the tennis courts in Barbados. I see them in the parking lot of the "stoosh" [rich] private schools here. 

Many of us who are parents work hard to hone those simple actions and attitudes in our children that we feel will keep that out of trouble and make them good citizens: truthfulness, honesty, politeness, respect, kindness, gentleness, diligence, willingness, etc. Many parents--rich or poor, young or old,  single or couple--don't know these things themselves so cannot pass them on.

Justice Worrell, you have handed us a really hot stick. Thank you!