Recently I attended a wonderful conference in which there were people from a diverse group of vocations who shared from the scope of their experiences. They focused on the plight of the many people in America who are made 2nd class citizens as a result of mass incarceration financed through the prison industrial complex in America. Michelle Alexander, author of the insightful The New Jim Crow provided a sobering portrait of the present conditions for inner city youth and young adults, especially Black and Hispanic males (and increasing numbers of females) that are caught up in the criminal justice system. In view of this reality, youth development can seem a daunting challenge with such a force aimed at desecration of the human spirit
But one thing that shone throughout the conference that I could feel in my heart… a hope; it was like a solid shaft of light down through a small crack in a mountain of callous corporate greed; a shaft of light shinning on the slight clump of damp earth on the cave floor and out of that tiny mound of soil was a single sprig of a tree, bedecked with bright green leaves reaching toward the sun. It is the strength of hope that leads me to stand firm, it is hope I heard from the participants to continue to love and to believe that a change is realized through dedicated efforts informed by care and being present to young people.
The work of The Moriah Institute is a branch growing on a tree inside the mountain. That tiny tree symbolizes our sense of hope for the work we do everyday. There are conditions in our society that would tell us that all is lost but this is NOT TRUE!
Our children face tremendous challenges, but they are full of potential and if given the right amount of support and encouragement, there is always the possibility of their wakening to the meaningful contributions they can make to family, community and society. It is one of my great joys to hear the testimonies of teens as they realize that they are citizens of the world, they have inner strength and they have the resolve to pursue their goals.
I believe this is the time when we must nullify the hard hearted around us; and seek ways to break through in spite of what the world would tell us. Our activity is an important link to fulfillment. It is our persistence of hope that makes the difference.
I invite you to join with us to support adolescent development through our Rites of Passage program. We may be a small part of the sprig in the mountain but we are stronger each day that the light is sent from above. Visit our website, donate your time and resources, and call us with ideas.
Rev. Dr. Mariah Britton
CEO and Founder
