Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 March 2001 — Page 4

PAGE A4

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2001

FAIR

Continued from A1

Many people never get the opportunity to join campaign efforts because they lack prev ious experience. Winston wants African Americans and other ethnic groups to become more involved with Democratic Party efforts. "You’re vote does matter. We need to make sure that our candidates don’t write off a whole group of voters in the future." added Winston, recognizing the lingering doubts from last year's presidential election. During a press conference, at

least 50 leaders from minority groups around the state showed their support of the declaration. Lt. Gov. Joe Keman applauds the Democratic Party'sefforts with not only talking about including minorities, but actually setting the example. "This is a proactive effort to reach out and let people know that they are welcome at the table,” said Kernan. "We will give them assistance to finding their way, and make sure that they can stay there." Fair Share was named in honor

of Charles Redd of Fort Wayne, chairman of the Indiana Democratic African-American Caucus. Fie is recognized for his commitment and leadership. Michael O’Neal, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Young African- American Leaders, signed the declaration along with Redd and Ron Ellis, city councilman from Jeffersonville. "African Americans, especially in the southern most part of the state are pretty much disenfranchised," said Ellis, noting the importance of enacting the Fair Share

A Dream Deferred Comes True

A . /

PASSPORT

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Passport to Your Educational Goal (317) 278-4545 www.iupui.edu/~ivy

A s a child growing up on the tiny Caribbean £1 island of Barbados, Sylvia Richardson ^■dreamed of becoming a nurse. For a long time, nursing was a dream deferred for Sylvia, a single mother with two children, who moved to Indianapolis when she was 16. Now, thanks to the HJPUI-Ivy Tech Passport program, Richardson is working on her associate's degree at the prestigious ID School of

Nursing at IUPUI.

Sylvia enrolled at Ivy Tech in 1997 after operating a home cleaning business for more than a decade. A college student in her early 30s, she worried about family, school and work. "I wasn't very confident, but I put everything into it," she said. For the next two years, Sylvia rarely earned

less than an A.

Even better, she discovered that the Passport program allowed her to transfer more than 30

credit hours from Ivy Tech to IUPUI, giving her a head start on her dream of becoming a

registered nurse.

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER USPS 262-660 Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Entered as Second Class Matter under Act of March 7,1870. Periodicals paid at Indianapolis, IN POSTMASTER: Send address changesto: The Indianapolis Recorder P.O. Box 18499,2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Subscription price by mail or carrier: $39 per year: $29 for 6 mos.,75 cents per copy. National advertising representative: Amalgamated Publishers Inc., 45 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036. The National Newspaper Publishers Association, Central Indiana Publishers Association, Hoosier State Press Association. SUBSCRIBERS BY MAIL: We are not responsible for replacing issues missed due to change of address or late renewals. Please allow two weeks when placing a new subscription or change of address order. Call (317)924-5143.

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NBA Robin Run Village Apartment & Garden Homes • Adult Day Centre • Robin’s Nest Child Care • Home Health Care Robin Run Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center •Alzheimer’s Unit A long walking path circles the outer edge of the 70 rolling acres on Indianapolis' northwest side known as NBA Robin Run Village. The lifestyle of this friendly community is enhanced by the several lakes for fishing, tennis courts, horseshoe pitching stakes and garden plots. NBA Robin Run Village includes individually owned garden homes and apartment-style living. The huge apartment building - with its imposing clock tower, is the hub of the activity for the village. Several meeting rooms, a woodworking shop, indoor bowls, a library, general store, beauty parlor and bank are all conveniently

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AID Continued from A1

llfH

Declaration. “There is still racism that exists in Indiana. Coming from the (Democratic Party), this says that we’re no longer going to permit (racism) to happen to our people." Ellis will become the chairman of the African-American Caucus in March, and says he plans to monitor the declaration ’ s progress. • The NAACP has a long standing record of enforcing fair share agreements with corporations such as the National Basketball Association, Coca-Cola Co., and General Motors Corp.

Last year, more than 825,000 applicants left the question blank, and about 277,000 refused to answer. They still had their applications approved. Education Department officials say most applicants either forgot to fill it in or didn't understand it. But they also suspect that a small percentage of applications were left blank as protest of sorts agai nst the law. They also worry that some students may have lied. All applications were eventually processed and aid was distributed on schedule. Forms for the 2001 -2002 school year, which are due this month, simplify the drug question and adds: “Do not leave question 35 blank.” An electronic form is available online and won’t allow applicants to proceed unless the question is answered. Those who leave the question blank or admit a drug offense will be contacted for follow-up questions. Opponents of the provision aren’t happy with the modifications. This week in Washington, members of Congress and representatives from national education, student, and drug reform groups announced the reintroduction of legislation to repeal the provision. “Why not ask if you’ve ever been convicted of rape?,” asks Sheila Kennedy, an IUPUI assistant professor of law and public policy. The application doesn’t ask any other crime-related questions. “I think it’s just one more aspect of a very ill-conceived drug war. What they’re saying is you made a mistake and we’re going to punish you again for it. We’re going to make sure you don't become a self-sufficient, self-sup-porting memberbf society. We’re going to punish you further for this transgression, that you’ve already been punished for. “It needs to come off the books,” she added. Rep. Mark Souder; R-IRi„ says

the provision deters students from using or selling drugs, encourages abusers to get treatment and hol^,,^ students accountable for taxpayer ^ money. Earlham College student and founding member of Student’s fqF,| 5 Seasonable Drug Policy, Michaelj (M Eck, said he understands the n( policy’s attempt to discourage drug usage at colleges, but added that ilj^ won't solve the problem. , ;, “It threatens to remove souict •, thing essential for a person’s holistic well being — education,” ;, he said. „ , Other critics argue that the law, , unfairly penalizespoorstudentsand - > minorities, who studies show are v disproportionately convicted of drug crimes. Rep. Barney Frank, /. D-Mass., is leading the charge to . abolish the law, | ( “Wealthier kids don’t need Pell grants,” said Rep. Frank. “And in fact we know that (drug) convic-, -. tions against minorities are higher ' • (in general).” According to the Sentencing , ; Project, Blacks, who make up apr ; ,i* proximately 13 percent of the population, and 13 percent of all drug users account for more than 5$ , - percent of those convicted for drug lf - offenses. , OJ Janice Fletcher says teens’ misjf,, takes early in life, aren’t an indiefy., ^ tor of their future. “Most of the kids who get them^-, selves into the system at an early age, tend to get their lives together,”, , she said, “still they are unable to get financial assistance. “It's an unfair setback because >

we helpeverybody else. When (offenders) get out of the system and into the workforce they become taxpayers too and should have the same resources to pursue a higher

education.”

Students convicted of posses- 1 sion and/or sale of illegal drugs cah get help answering Question 35 on

the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov, j! by calling 800-4FED-AID (800-'* ‘

433-3243), or checking with a high school guidance counselor.

YOUTH Continued from A1

True Belief, as well as several other local private schools, accept students previously enrolled in public schools that have experienced problems within that system. Additionally, with the program taking place in a private, faith-based institution, program coordinators are able to integrate religious concepts into the project. The targeted age group was identified through various reports that indicate youth between these ages are most likely to use drugs between the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. This is believed to be the case because often, youth go home and are unsupervised during these times. “We want to reach the kids that have been expelled, the atrisk kids,” Brown said. “Plus this is bringing more programs to the school. Basically, True Belief is getting two programs at once. “When you’re dealing with these issues for kids, we believe religion also has to be a component,” added Brown, who evolved the program from a similar outreach initiative he started in Muncie. “We need to get through to these young people that they have help greater than themselves to deal with these issues.” In only a few short weeks, the TBA program has received community interest. Professional sports organizations have been targeted for support, and program administrators are also looking to work with various other community entities to reach even more children. “We’re giving these kids what

they really need and that’s someone to spend time with them during those hours when those hours when they would normally^ be home alone,” said Marcus King, TBA’s athletic director. "These kids are missing stability. __ We talk to them and help them ^ with their homework. / “We’re not telling these kids ! what to do. We're putting all of ! the information in front of them ! and hoping they make educated decisions. And, while the pro- 1 gram is based in the private* school, participation is open to all who want to attend. “This program has been a tremendous asset to our ministry,” said TBA head administra- ; tor Evelyn Baker. “It reinforces the kinds of things we are trying to offer to our child^n. We’re trying to help them make the

right choices.

“This is a way for us to reach the entire community," she added. “We believe in giving these kids a second chance and we’ve been shown that it’s working. We’re seeing their self confidence levels raised through this program. The tutoring aspect

is wonderful.”

Program participant, Latisha Dodson, 14, agrees. “I was never going to do drugs in the first place,” said the eighth grader, “But the program is really trying to prevent us from doing the wrong thing by teaching us. "Now I’m really not going to do drugs,” she added. There is no cost to participate in this program. For additional information, call 545-3824 or

237-2213.

: : : :

Chili supper fund-raiser The Fall Creek YMCA Y-Zone ebrating the 150th anniversary

Youth Gospel Choir will have a chili supper fundraiser 7:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1 Oat 860 W. 10th St. The fund-raiser will help pay for a trip to New Orleans in June where the choir will sing at the YMCA General Assembly cel-

the YMCA. The menu will const: of chili, vegetarian chili qr Com dog with chips and drinks; desse: will be $.50 extra. Tickets are $: for more information contact Re

Fred Dorsey, director of youth an<£ •!

teen services, at 634-2478.