EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Use report as guide on quality of life

Social service organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana have many great stories to share – stories depicting life-altering situations their clients have experienced. While these stories serve a meaningful purpose, donors need and want to know more on how their contribut…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: After-school programs bridge the gap for kids

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention statistics show: “Juvenile violence peaks in the after-school hours on school days," between when school ends and when parents/guardians arrive home from work!

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Runner from past now runs toward future

As 2011 draws to a close, this is a time where many reflect on the challenges, accomplishments and successes the year brought forth. I would like to do the same by sharing a story with you.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Crucial questions we need to ask, answer

How can our society expect children to learn and thrive when they are hungry?

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Fathers, act more like dads should be

As a product of the late '50s and early '60s, my vision of a "typical" American family was shaped by what I watched on television -- something that many readers, I am sure, can attest to as well.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: 'Live United' is more than just a slogan

As president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, the largest youth development agency in our corner of the state, I receive a substantial amount of information from various nonprofits in our communities telling of the good work they do, and it makes me very proud to be pa…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Bridging the school and after-school days

Northwest Indiana might soon be the focus of national attention regarding a major data-sharing initiative that will create a bridge between school days and after-school activities.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: We can learn from our youths

As 2009 comes to a close, many people will begin to start professing their "New Year" resolutions. Most people speak of wanting to change various aspects of their lives.

Obama inspires today's youths like JFK did us

It was quite exciting for me to observe the energy displayed by many of our young people surrounding the inauguration celebrations of our new president.

Become leaders in helping others deal with change

As 2008 progresses, a quiet message of change has begun to evolve and grow in Northwest Indiana, progressively louder and varying across the different sectors of our communities. Though this message seems to differ depending upon the needs of our communities and residents, it has one constan…

Quality time with kids remains the best investment

Challenges of today's society continue to grow more complex each day. A full day of work often extends beyond the 8-hour workday. In dual-parent households, many of our youth see their parents only in passing. The quality time families once spent together seems to be a fleeting memory of the past.

Give our youths tools, hope they need to succeed

America's young people need our help.

Mentoring programs make a difference

Despite common thinking, most youths do want and need caring adults in their lives.

Kids deserve own day, just like groundhogs

In the United States it seems there's a "day" for just about everyone. There's even a day for groundhogs.

Mitch's Kids include youths in Lake County

Education is a top priority for Lake County. According to 2000 Census data, 19.3 percent of Lake County residents have less than a high school education. The state average is 17.8 percent. Fifteen of our county's schools are required by the state to provide supplemental education services.

Gary Youth Baseball shines like a diamond

As Gary begins celebrating its centennial, I must say I am very excited to be part of the "new history" as the city begins its next 100 years of operation.

Literacy shouldn't be foreign to your children

Imagine what it would be like to find yourself in a foreign land. You cannot speak or understand the language. Your efforts to articulate even basic requirements such as nourishment, recreation, companionship or the need to feel part of the overall community becomes misinterpreted.