I chose social work because I am deeply passionate about helping people. In particular, young people who feel helpless about their future. This can be due to possible perceptions of limited opportunities, frustration of not having social support and structure to help them build skills for living in a civilized and solution-focused society, or spending valuable energy coping with meeting basic needs due to living in poverty or abuse.

My life long aspiration (aka pipedream) is to organize a committee of professionals in diverse fields to oversee a longitudinal research study that will develop, and implement a character education curriculum to service the K-12 Public education system in target population areas. I believe that these eventual outcomes of comparative values can be measured from these targeted pilot areas that have the program in place with those of communities with similar economic and ethnic profiles that do not.

I believe analyzing measurable things such as depression, suicide risk, teen pregnancy, drop out rates, college bound statistics, grades, social efficacy, gang activity, and relationship violence will be good indicators of progress to illustrate to Congress the economical advantage of spending money proactively (with education and prevention) versus reactive (in social service spending to deal with the aforementioned problems) It is important to illustrate this for those who make policy, on how this ends up saving tax payer money in the long run.

If we can prove this with careful and methodical results, I believe that, in a collaborative effort, we can modify, or adapt the goals of the Public education system and shape new legislation that will be inclusive of recognizing the need for more support for families in communities.

Young people will learn the values and importance of good citizenship, effective communication, tolerance of diversity and mutual respect for people from all walks of life, especially respect for elders and authority figures.

In addition, by using the already existing school buildings, and developing more readily-accessible family support programs for adults and children- which can range anywhere from parenting classes to budgeting; relationship skill building to self-awareness and self-improvement sessions- that perhaps these professionally led sessions will provide educational and informational opportunities to help empower communities as well as reduce the many aspects of human suffering that occurs in our private homes and within the neighborhoods.

In the K-12 character education program, my hope is that children will have an opportunity to learn valuable social skills, regardless of parents ability or motivation. Our young people will also learn about themselves- they will discover their strengths, gifts and talents in order to pursue their personal goals and dreams in life. Not only will this assist in the development of these children, but provide horizontal support to families, as well as people in the community. In the long run, this will impact each and every American- as we are all affected by a system that is broken.

This great nation, can become even greater if we embrace the need to address humanitarian issues as we do economic ones. I believe with a more educated population- making better choices; we can do even greater things.

So much money is spent managing and delivering social programs and services. Unfortunately, these programs are perceived by many to simply sweep societal ills under the rug by giving handouts. Without accountability of recipients making forward progress- within a reasonable and effective system, Americans tire of dealing with the cycle of poverty and feel helpless and robbed because they do not feel their money is being spent productively.

Out of frustration, there is a tendency to blame recipients for taking advantage and exploiting the system.

Rather than asking the question, "Is the delivery and structure of the current system really reasonable and streamlined to provide the best delivery for people?"

" Is it really getting to the bottom of the problem and working directly and deliberately to address the issues that create these unfortunate circumstances to begin with?"

The intention of teaching people how to "fish for themselves", does not come in providing a quick job or brief resolution counseling, but in careful investment of our children and their families and neighbors within programs that work to really build people up to feel a sense of purpose, meaning and personal responsibility to themselves, their families as well as their communities.

I believe that when there are creative solutions, and a transparent intention to empower and instill pride and ownership in our people (within reasonable expectations and guidelines,) that true progress from our monies allocated for social services can be realized.

In the heart of all Americans- Republicans, Democrats, and Independents with common sense and a true concern for Humanity want to know that money is being spent wisely and that people are going to be in a better place eventually so that recipients can take responsibility for themselves.

Of course, in reality there are always going to be those who abuse the system- as with all things in every aspect of life. I am not aiming to change that behavior because wasting energy trying to control a few of the bad apples only takes away from those, who like me, will utilize and capitalize on opportunities that are beneficial for the long run. We can only hope that in the long run, those that do abuse and exploit the system, will come to trust a system that truly wants everyone to have an equal opportunity, and in turn- do the right thing.

An analogy that I made up- since I am 41- and just now getting around to graduating is:

It takes some people longer to reach their destination, especially if they did not have a car.

The analogy is that the "car" is basically a person's net resources that they are born into, ie. skilled and healthy parents, financial security, capitalized growth opportunities as a young adolescent from educators, advisors, faith organizations, etc.. If those things were not available or perhaps even non-existent; a person might just be inclined to accept this as reality and just exist day-to-day.

I believe that most people if given information, and provided choices that eradicate helplessness - would begin to realize their potential, strengths, talents, and gifts/skills, and make a cognizant and deliberate decision to let go of a painful past or a life of limited exposure to valuable resources. That they will choose to brush the chips off their shoulders, and take full responsibility for their success and happiness regardless of their "lot in life," and eventually- hopefully- end up where I am, that being successful in their pursuit of realizing those hopes and dreams and in reality, moving toward happiness and making progress by not allowing anyone (alive or dead)- or any circumstance- the power to strip away their potential or possibilities of all that life has to offer.

I look in the mirror everyday and tell myself, "you are not giving up today, that is not an option. No matter how tired you feel, God has made provisions for you to sustain this situation, and know that 7 months from now, when you walk across that stage, It will be an unbelievable feeling that you will carry with you until the day you die."