An update of where we are in 2017.  Currently we have about $2,100 to pay off this first stage of the website but our web designer is having some health challenges.  These challenges are affecting his ability to program so there will be a delay in getting a final product, but we are hopeful that the delay will not be more than one month from original plan.

I thought it would be good to do a quick summary of the top 10 reasons why the CAN Project will be great for the community.  I will provide additional information on each reason in future posts.

The CAN Project has a goal.  The goal is to locate, unite and enhance the "common unity within our community".  The CAN Project believes that a key part of this is to integrate local leaders, law enforcement, government officials and community elders in the lives of the youth and families throughout our community through positive interactions and activities.  In working with communities for over 20 years i understand the challenges that exist in making the integration happen in a positive and productive manner and the CAN Project is a step in the direction to assist that integration by making it easier to locate and develop opportunities to do so.  

This morning I was watching Squawk Box on CNBC and they were interviewing Dick's Sporting Goods.  It was an interesting interview from a business perspective that not only outlines an issue we are encountering at a business dollar level but in the development of our future work force.  

Ten years ago there was a report put out about the importance of having youth in positive programs between the hours of 3-6PM.  The reason being is that many American families had both parents working and their work schedules along with commute didn't put them home until after 6PM.  The report also talked about the decline of after-school programs along with positive community programming teaming youth with positive role models and guidance.  The report discussed that youth who were left to make decisions on their own and participate in choices available to the between 3-6PM were susceptible to making poor choices as guidance by positive role models was limited.

We are in a time where funds are difficult to come by, teachers are demanding more, schools are tightening budgets, cutting after-school programs and being less involved with community programs that require additional resources.  In addition to this, non-profit programs available in the community that operate from grant funds are now demanded to show outcomes tied to micro-specific objectives.  Programs are forced to manipulate their founding structure to stretch their ability to receive the only funds available just to keep doors open and provide services.  This causes many programs that are important to our community to shut down because they can't change their core purpose to meet the needs of the dollars under the micro-specific definitions required.  This doesn't mean these programs are not needed but they are no longer eligible for funds required to provide community services.  We are seeing many of these small programs disappearing throughout our communities and communities are feeling the negative affects.

What is the answer?  The Community Activity Network was designed 19 years ago because we saw these issues and knew we needed to bring people together.  The CNBC interview discusses the importance of leadership and businesses in creating solutions.  The interview also discusses the importance of keeping kids in school and participation in programs because they learn how to take direction, patience, problem-solving and teamwork.  All necessary attributes to become a successful person within the workforce of America.  

This interview is less that 4 minutes but it hits key points as to the importance of a program like the CAN Project to bring not only the community or programs or leadership together but to bring all parties together, evaluate challenges and create solutions that require a little from each to ultimately strengthen our communities, our youth and our families.