Input from Colin Jarvis

Colin Jarvis, five year executive director of the Newburgh Ministry said, “In the grand scheme of things if we can somehow, in spite of all the dysfunctions of the community and probably the home… get some of these kids excited about learning and staying in school and possibly graduating and even possibly contemplate going to college, if that happens, they would not end up on public assistance will they?” “They will be able to compete, equitably, with the wider working labor force.”

Jarvis explained that these kids will be the “Change agents.” They will be the leaders and looked upon as the cause because they will have a chance to get to the table to negotiate what happens in the city of Newburgh.

“Some of them are going to stay here because they have an allegiance because this is where they were born, this is where they want to see change,” he said, “They have the experience, they’ve walked the walk.”