Mark Shriver Praises Job Corps; Calls For Greater Attention to Youth Poverty

Last week, Mark Shriver, the son of Job Corps founder Sargent Shriver, wrote a letter to USA Today in response to an article regarding youth poverty. His argument for greater attention to youth poverty highlights the importance of not just Job Corps’ staff, but Job Corps’ advocates as well.

"When my father, Sargent Shriver, launched the War on Poverty for President Johnson in the mid-1960s, a broad swath of aggressive investments such as Head Start, Job Corps and VISTA made a dramatic dent in poverty rates across all age groups during the following decade.

Then we surrendered.

Kids don't appear on cable talk shows, contribute to political action committees or vote. Thus, they suffered the most and continue to do so, putting our nation's future at risk.

The presidential candidates this year are talking about how they would build an even greater, more prosperous and more competitive nation. If they are truly serious, then a meaningful debate about ending childhood poverty must become part of the conversation."

You can read the original article by clicking here.