No Youth Left Behind Offers Safe Haven For Oak Park Kids
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - One man is making sure no youth is left behind in the Oak Park community, opening a brand new facility aimed at helping get kids off the street and into the books.
For some it's considered the heart of the capital city. It's the oldest community in Sacramento, but Carroll Cooks says it doesn't have the best reputation.
"When you look at Oak Park, it's been abandoned," he said.
Cooks says it hasn't received the same support as other neighboring communities.
"The funding is just not here for the programs that are so vital for our youth that are having the drug problems, the gang problems, the substance abuse problems," said Cook. "Right now we have a youth crisis like never before in America."
That's why his No Youth Left Behind Foundation opened a brand new I Care Building. It's a place for kids and teens to gather, mentor, tutor and learn job placement skills.
Debbie Sandoval says she's looking forward to having a safe place for her children.
"They need something like that around here for the kids, give them somewhere to go, something to do," she said.
Micheylle Sanford says when kids get bored that is when they get on the wrong track. She believes that the building will help make a difference in the community.
Cook says this is just the beginning, because the foundation is not state or federally funded. It relies on community support, so he's putting a call out to call businesses for help.
"People are going to have to come from the outside and help," said Cook.
Kids and teens can start attending workshops next week.
