Commitment to South Cape remains strong

The Cape Area Family Resource Center has provided vital programming in the neighborhood of South Cape for 14 years and has recently closed its doors. The United Way of Southeast Missouri has been a proud sponsor of the center since its inception. We want the South Cape neighborhood to know that we will continue our support of youth in this neighborhood for many years to come.

The staff and board of the Family Resource Center deserve the deep respect of this community for the heart and soul they have poured into their work and the difference they have made in so many lives. Our sincere thanks to Lynn Beckett, John Heisserer, Betty Mosley, Marcia Ritter, Kevin Sexton, Shonta Smith, Leola Twiggs, Lloyd Williams and Steve Williams for their service on the board and to Denise Lincoln, Pat King, Phyllis Johnson and their program staff for believing in our youth by serving them in such a significant way.

The United Way recently presented to the community our "Mobilization Plan to Ensure the Success of our Children" that identifies key strategies to implement as a community to help all of our youth to be successful. There is a disproportionate percentage of this population in the South Cape neighborhood.

The recent announcement of the center must not be interpreted as a lack of care and concern for our neighbors in the south part of the city but be a renewed call to action to love our neighbors. Our commitment to the community is to our at-risk youths, to reach into these families to support them in supporting their students. And we ask the community to join us in this effort.

Nancy Jernigan is the executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri.