Central Phoenix Broken Glass Syndrome

These are the harsh conditions in which our youth has been forced to live in since birth. Majority of this area is flooded with crime, drugs and violence. There is little to no police intervention, and the crime and drug rates continues to grow with each passing day. How can anyone take pride in their community with things like this next door?

Large Vacant Lots

 Boarded up houses are refuge for drug users and crime.

In this type of environment, drugs are easier to come by then a helping hand. Crime is a commonality and hard work and success is something of a myth. Having a nice house, food in your belly and money in your pocket is something straight out of a fairytale or only seen on TV. Success is for dreamers, because this, this is the reality for these young men. The stench of different drugs drift through the air on a daily basis, trash in piles on the streets and the sound of sirens blaring in the distance. This is home:

This is what they see walking home from school:

The sole beacon of the community is Grant Park - owned and operated by the Wilcox Foundation. This is the one place in this community available to young children and teens to get away from the harsh realities of their existence. The one place they can be kids and have fun, and not have to look over their shoulder for fear of the unknown. This is what our kids are subjected to. Now comes the hard question.

What are we going to do about it?