In Betty Washington's mind,
there could be a future Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, Academy
Award-winning director or Grammy-winning musical artist
in New Orleans right now, as yet unknown to the world.
But Washington says that person could easily fall through
the cracks and get sucked into an underworld of drugs and
violence, his full potential wasted.
With that thought in mind and a desire to see the children
of the city succeed in her heart, the founding director
and executive of Children of the Village, a youth leadership
and development agency that targets at-risk youth, announced
plans Saturday for a 6-acre complex in eastern New Orleans
dedicated to developing young people's talents and leadership
potential.
Dubbed Dream City, the complex is a collaborative project
between Children of the Village and the Southern chapter
of the National Association of Minority Contractors.
With studios for audio recording, film production and broadcasting;
a publishing office; college preparatory and career training
rooms; culinary arts classrooms and a farmers market among
its facilities, Dream City will train young people to be
the leaders of tomorrow, said Nicole Sheppard, a board member
of Children of the Village.
"This will be run like a real city so our children
can understand leadership," Sheppard said. "In
this way we're not allowing our kids' dreams to be deferred."
"This is a way to social change and to engage young
people in their interests," Washington said.
With all the problems the city is facing, its young people
are often forgotten, New Orleans City Council President
Arnie Fielkow told the crowd. But he said they are a population
that can eventually pay dividends in return for investment.
"If we could just go back and focus on our kids right
now . . . the city will grow," Fielkow said before
promising the council's help in finding money for the project.
Washington said the organization, which works with about
40 youths, hopes to finalize plans for a site on Hayne Boulevard
within 60 days. With an expected price tag of $6 million
to build and equip the six-building complex, she said she
was appreciative of the support of lawmakers.
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