We've had a war on drugs and crime but never a war to fight the reasons for each poverty. Are you ready to join OLI for the war against POVERTY!?
Poverty alone has been identified as one of the most significant risk factors for impaired social and psychological development among youth (Luthar 1991; Werner 1990). Children growing up in poverty stricken neighborhoods under siege by violence, drugs and ignorance are vulnerable to a variety of negative outcomes, including but not limited to, drugs or drug abuse, sexual diseases or teen pregnancy, incarceration and school drop out. But it has also been proven that if you provide a child with stability, structure, a positive image, resources, opportunity and love then the chances of survival and success have increased exponentially because of the resilience and cultural integrity gained from enduring such an environment. This is our belief and vision. Using the factors listed above we facilitate educational resilience and success through the various programs that we afford the at-risk youth within the community. It is our belief that meaningful programming implemented with fidelity, coupled with our CORE values, can be a counterbalance to the poverty stricken inner city environment. We understanding that affording at-risk youth this opportunity will increase likelihood for success and upward mobility, which not only affects them but their family as well.
