When local government no longer feels like getting involved with our
social issues, the impact on a community can be shattering.
A worst-case scenario might be found south of the border. If
you've been in Tijuana, Mexico, you know what I'm talking about. New
Orleans may end up as another example.
Members of our community in the Newport-Mesa area, especially in
Costa Mesa, have responded well to some social problems despite being
abandoned by a majority of city officials.
If you haven't noticed, we have real heroes in our communities.
They aren't those pulp-fiction types who come out of nowhere to save
innocent lives from street thugs, drug traffickers and criminal
organizations.
Although these people make little money, they work hard inside
nonprofit organizations to fight both government red tape and street
thugs. In previous columns, I highlighted Girls Inc. and Mika and the
superb work they do in the community. Mika is a relatively new
nonprofit organization, but it has already shown the character and
ability to lead.
In addition, the Boy Scouts of America, the Red Cross and your
community church are also nonprofit groups. Had it not been for the
Red Cross, we would have lost more lives in New Orleans. Shame on the
federal government.
This past weekend, I took part in a fundraiser at the Balboa Bay
Club and Resort in Newport Beach. The event was organized by Think
Together, a nonprofit organization.
Think Together can trace its roots back to 1994 in the Shalimar
neighborhood on the Westside. Tired of being bullied, local mothers
organized to take their neighborhood back from street gangs.
A shooting in the neighborhood triggered the response of the
community. Church leaders and civic activists joined the mothers to
form the Shalimar Learning Center, which led to the foundation of
Think Together in 1997.
Think Together grew fast in Costa Mesa and reached out to other
cities in Orange County as well. The organization's major
contribution in the community is developing after-school programs,
which broadly benefit students of low-income families and ameliorate
problems among so-called "at-risk youth."
Workers and volunteers at Think Together target children whose
first language isn't English. They nurture math, science and computer
literacy in students across ethnic lines. According to Think
Together, there are over 3,000 students benefiting from its programs.
At the meeting, I saw leaders from the business sector as well as
