
What could be more important than looking in to the hearts and minds of kids and helping them to realize what that they can overcome? Who they can become? Today I applaud the teachers, the social workers, the coaches, the mentors, all the people who help kids believe when many others doubt them. Look how many times that they gather kids who just are lacking the opportunity and the know how, and then look out….watch the magic happen. It doesn’t matter if it is in the sporting arena or the classroom or in the battlefield of chess, or just making a decent life when no one around you has. What would the world be without them? Scary to consider that thought. So the question then is how often do we provide them with the resources they need to continue what they have to do? Let’s stop focusing on the end game of prisons, probation, and rehabilitation and focus on inspiration, motivation, and dedication. So today I salute you, I encourage you, and applaud you. The ones who are shaping the future today and teaching kids that “Yes we can”.