WHOmentors.com, Inc. has identified obesity, particularly childhood obesity, and teen crime as two of its main areas of focus for the foreseeable future and recognizes that promoting fitness and active lifestyle is not just limited to involvement in traditional sports. The prevention of chidhoold obesity and teen crime are two unusual or odd pairings. Here's an explanation why.
Shoes are extremely important to school-aged children. And when those shoes are too small...falling apart at the seams...covered with holes...or hand-me-downs for the third or fourth time...it's a big deal. Children may stand on the sidelines of sport activities because they don't have the proper footwear. This contributes to a sedentary lifestyle and childhood obesity. Or, many children will participate in a physical activity like basketball wearing flip flops or torn shoes. This scenario could lead to unrealized foot problems later in life.
There is another generational trait that is manifesting itself into a more problematic and aggressive behavior. Older kids often want pricey shoes with popular labels or logos, and the lack of any monetary allowance becomes the motive for many robberies and even murder. In many cases, since each teenager has to decide what exactly they are or are not willing to do for money, shoes literally make a difference between life and death. In March of 2005, three teenagers, 19, 15, and 13 respectively, wanted another kid's $110 new Nike Air Jordans sneakers so badly they conspired together and the young adult fatally shot and killed a 17-year-old student for his shoes. The group made up of two young boys and a little girl, settled for selling the shoes on the streets of Chicago for $30 bucks. The Chicago police reported this as the first time shoes were the link to murder.
Wait, There's More--
And, what are low-income families with children of compulsory school age supposed to do when their kids need shoes?A memorable quote from the 10th season of the sitcom, Friends, provides insight into the answer.
"Joey: How come we don't have jam at our place?"
"Chandler: Because the kids need shoes."
The grocery budget in most low-income households is usually open to a bit of adjustment in order to free up funds for more pressing needs like new shoes for a child's ever growing feet. Stretching their income to cover so many needs seems difficult if not impossible.A mother reflects a personal sentiment shared by moms everywhere, "I forget who I am, that I have priority to myself. If I need shoes and the kids need shoes, I buy for the kids and leave myself. That's definitely the case," she says. "My happiness is connected to my family's happiness--if they are happy, then I'm happy."
Not only will the simple act of raising funds for this campaign enable students to enter the classroom with pride, comfort, and a fresh focus on learning, WHOmentors.com , Inc. believes will help lead to early academic successes, quite possibly, it could save someone's life.
