“We have to make sure they go to school and they attend and participate in worthwhile activities instead of doing bad things that go around in the community like drugs, smoking, drinking, and just plain truancy,” he told reporters yesterday during the signing of a proclamation designating July-August as Youth Leadership Month.
He said the Division of Youth Services administration is “working really hard” to address youth issues.
“This kind of situation needs partnership with the community. It includes the parents and the schools,” he added.
In a separate interview, DYS community outreach program coordinator Bill P. Limes said he understands there are challenges in handling youth programs.
“We try to teach our kids to be leaders and educate them about health issues like diabetes. That’s why DYS is offering a summer camp program to help with that learning process,” he told Variety.
Limes said the summer camps will offer sports and various arts and crafts activities for the youth.
“We’re expecting about 200 kids for the two summer camps. So far, we have about 180 who have signed up for the sports camp and 170 for the arts and crafts camp,” he added.
He said the summer camps are funded by DYS in collaboration with Northern Marianas College-Area Health Education Center.
“Our camp programs encourage the development of healthy minds in our kids. If our kids are healthy, this will lead to success for them and for the community.”
