Thus the outline of my idea of a Not-for-Profit organization designed to actually solve our country's problems from the source. Since I'm convinced that most of our problems would not exist if only people took responsibility for their own lives, my new organization would be designed to deal with exactly that problem.
Tentatively called "Life Academy", my new organization would be a community-based educational facility with this mission:
Empowering everyone in our community to become self-sufficient by learning how to avoid self-destructive lifestyles and live healthy, happy lives.
We'll get started by acquiring and rehabilitating a closed public school. Declining birth rates have already led to declining enrollment in our public schools, thus schools are being closed everywhere.
When open for business, Life Academy will welcome everyone in the county. It is a place for the community to come, regardless of their background, race, religion, or income level. People can come to play, but mostly they can come to learn something and make new friends.
Life Academy will have as its primary focus programs to help the poor and unemployed to develop the life skills they need to find employment and escape poverty permanently to become a member of the productive class.
Every person needing a boost up the ladder to self-sufficiency will be assigned a mentor as soon as they appear at the door of the Academy. We'll make every effort to match them with the right mentor, who will counsel the individual and guide them through a curriculum of courses and advocate for their student for placement in a good job within the community.
Key courses that will be offered for free at Life Academy:
- Parenting
- Marriage
- Home Maintenance and Repair
- Cooking
- Personal Finance
- Health and Fitness
- Drug and Alcohol Cessation
Partnerships will be formed with area businesses and churches and other organizations who wish to become involved. Referrals are expected from the courts and other social services organizations. Sponsorships will be offered that allow any business or organization to present classes. Religious classes offered by area churches will be welcomed.
Every night there would be a convocation in the auditorium to which all are invited. The convocation will have a consistent agenda:
- Welcome and Introduction to Life Academy - the Master of Ceremonies welcomes everyone, and asks new visitors to introduce themselves. He (or she) explains the purpose and mission of Life Academy and offers success stories from recent graduates (who can offer their stories in person whenever possible)
- Tonight's Classes - A quick rundown of available classes to be presented that evening will be explained. Instructors from new classes might be invited to introduce their class to everyone.
- Entertainment - A half-hour concert or entertaining presentation will be presented before dismissing everyone to their classes and activities.
Each evening ends with a brief meeting between enrollees and their mentors. Handouts will be distributed at the doors as people leave that communicate upcoming programs and class schedules.
There will be no fees, but everyone will be asked to contribute as much as they can to help keep Life Academy open. The program will never allow itself to be mired in the quicksand of bureaucracy and excessive rules.
People who sign up for the Life Academy program will follow a specific curriculum created with each individual's mentor that will send them through a series of classes that specifically address their needs. Graduation occurs when all of the courses have been completed and the individual has gainful employment and is moving rapidly into a life of self-sufficiency.
Everyone will be encouraged every day to support the programs of Life Academy by telling others about it and sharing their personal story and of course contributing financially.
Themes at Life Academy will be Family, Faith, Responsibility, Self-Sufficiency. All for a satisfying, happy, and productive life. I'd expect many graduates to return to teach classes themselves to share with others how they were successful.
Twice a year Life Academy will have a Graduation Ceremony to recognize the latest crop of graduates. The gym or auditorium will be filled with Academy members and supporters, all there to cheer on those who succeeded.
The start-up costs will be whatever is required to acquire, equip and rehabilitate the school building. I envision only a skeleton paid staff to start, with most other instructors and staff being volunteers. As the program grows, it might be able to add more full and part time paid staff.
My vision is a vibrant program that brings everyone in the community together to have fun and learn things. Not just the poor, but everybody can use Life Academy to learn something new, work out or have fun. Churches are welcome to participate and may use the Academy to attract new members as long as those efforts aren't disruptive to everyone's enjoyment of all the activities and classes.
Someday the Life Academy might show dramatic results in nearly eliminating public assistance and food stamps in the county, because everybody's got a good job and lives productive and healthy lifestyles. Maybe someday there could be a Life Academy in every county in America, although I'm sad to say I think the Blue States will likely outlaw it. But if Life Academy succeeds in its mission, watch all of our serious national issues evaporate.
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