AURORA | Aurora is asking residents to weigh in on what programs they’d like to see offered through a proposed “Youth Empowerment Center” to young people who are at risk of becoming involved in violence.
The center would be the first of its kind in Aurora, hosting youth violence prevention and intervention programs designed to tamp down on a recent rise in shootings and other bloody incidents among local teenagers that have rattled the city.
Members of the public who want to share their opinions about programming can complete a short survey — which is available in multiple languages at city libraries as well as online at EngageAurora.org/YouthCenter and at city libraries — any time through March 29. Questions about the proposed center can also be sent to engagecec@auroragov.org.
“It is vital that our community voices be heard, especially as it concerns something as important as serving our youth,” Aurora City Councilmember Ruben Medina said in a news release.
“I encourage Aurora youth, parents or caregivers and those who work with youth, to complete this survey and also share it with their connections so we can get constructive feedback to help inform our future decisions about this center.”
While the location and opening date of the Youth Empowerment Center are yet to be determined, the city has already set aside $500,000 of its proceeds from the 2022 sale of the Denver Broncos along with $1.75 million from the budget of the Aurora Youth Violence Prevention Program for the project.
The city said in its news release that staffers plan to conduct additional outreach through public meetings, events and partnerships with community organizations.
Aurora will also lean on local school districts to solicit feedback from students and school employees, and use social media to try to connect with young residents.
“Centers that are specifically geared toward youth for services, engagement, connection and programming have proven to be successful in fostering community and reducing violence,” city youth violence prevention manager Joseph DeHerrera said in the release.
“We envision the Aurora Youth Empowerment Center as a safe place where youth will learn and feel supported and empowered for the future.”
Euphemisms are employed by lazy people who care more about appearances than they do about correcting the problem. In this article, an awful euphemism is included in the the form of “young people who are at risk of becoming involved in violence.” These are young people who are fully cognizant of right and wrong who are contemplating the commission of a crime. They are not at risk of becoming involved in violence, they are lacking personal responsibility and a dose of consequence. Absurd practices like restorative justice have doomed kids to feel that they can commit heinous acts free from repercussions. They best thing these weak advocates can do for these “at risk” kids is to tell them the honest truth and let them know their path leads to death or incarceration. How well have the euphemisms done for “those experiencing homelessness”?
Sure seems like the funds would be better spent for additional after school clubs like music, arts, sports, etc…
I think this is a great idea for the city of Aurora. We are in a different time and things are very different from the past, the youth today are struggling with drug addiction, violence, and homelessness. We definitely Need some type of Youth Center to mentor lead and direct the youth to a better path prevent things now so we don’t have to Intervene much later