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Agency honored for aid to youngBy Mitch MitchellStar-Telegram Staff Writer
S-T/Darrell Byers Jim Walther, president of Arlington Alliance for Youth, was surrounded by guests during an announcement recognizing Arlington as one of America's 100 Best Communities for Young People on Thursday. ARLINGTON -- On its first try, Arlington has been designated as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in the United States. With the win, Arlington becomes eligible to apply for more than $100,000 in grants. The award is sponsored each year by America's Promise Alliance, an organization started by retired Gen. Colin Powell in 1997 to help communities help children. On the organization's Web site, officials said Arlington's Alliance for Youth program stood out for its use of small grants to help mobilize groups that aid the city's young people.
He helps Arlington help its youthBy TRACI SHURLEYStar-Telegram staff writer
Star-Telegram/Darrell Byers Jim Walther speaks at Thursday's announcement of the honor from America's Promise Alliance. The national advocacy group focuses community activism on providing better lives for children.
For a man in his 60s, Jim Walther knows a lot about the challenges facing today's young people. The former Army officer and retired college administrator readily shares his concerns about everything from skyrocketing college tuition to parents' struggle to balance work and family demands. As chairman of the board of the nonprofit Arlington Alliance for Youth, he's also working to make sure that these kids don't let challenges defeat them. Last week, Arlington's focus on youth gained national recognition. America's Promise Alliance, a national advocacy group, named the city one of its 100 Best Communities for Youth. America's Promise is a nationwide effort that focuses community activism on fulfilling five promises to children. Those include giving kids safe structured activities, opportunities to serve others, and effective education and marketable skills. The recognition comes with the opportunity to apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money. Since it formed in 2004, a big part of Arlington Alliance's work has been a small grants program. It has awarded more than $15,000 in grants over the past three years to community groups, schools and other organizations. The group gets funding from Arlington's Kiwanis Clubs and other donors. America's Promise uses a little red wagon as its symbol, and you wear a lapel pin of the child's toy. What is its significance? As we grow up, there are some times that pulling the load is just too much for us and we need help. It's a symbol of the help we need; it's a symbol of the parental guidance we need on how to grow up. I think it's just a magnificent thing. My little pin, the little red wagon, gets noticed everywhere I go. [People say] 'What is that?' Then I get a chance to explain. So board members and other people that become affiliated with us, we encourage them to wear that little red wagon and tell the story of what the needs are today. You're retired -- why not put your feet up, relax and watch a little football? I like watching football, but I have to tell you I think purpose in life is one of those things that make a great journey. Having fun and just enjoying life can be a purpose for some people, but not for me. When Arlington Alliance for youth started, it was a collaboration between the city and the Kiwanis. Since then, members of community groups like Rotary and Optimist clubs, nonprofits, the school district and the faith community have gotten involved. First Rate Inc., a local business, is now giving the organization free office space. What do you think it is about Arlington Alliance for Youth that draws others in? I think that everybody is having growing awareness of the needs of this generation ... that are so great. I mean they're all pioneers. They need help, and there just are not enough people out there that are talking to them and so when we think about this as a need, I think people can understand that in a very personal way. What kind of things can people do to help the city's youth? One of the things I would recommend is to get involved with a civic club that is involved with youth. Of course, there's the Kiwanis Club, but we're not the only club. ... I would encourage every retired person to think about getting out and working in this area. Here are the practical things: They ought to know all the kids on their block. They ought to know all the parents on their block. It's just one of these things where we need to come together. I think people ought to get involved in their community associations. You know with all these gas leases and things? We've never had communities come together like this before, but we need that same sort of motivation to come around to our youth. Online: www.arlingtonalliance4youth.org
Jim Walther Arlington Alliance for Youth board chairman Age: 66 Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas; MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington Experience: Grew up in Clearfield, Pa.; spent 21 years in the Army, retiring as a major; served with the 82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne divisions and Combat Developments Experimentation Command; former director of graduate business programs at UT-Arlington Family: Wife, Carol; four grown daughters; 14 grandchildren
tshurley@star-telegram.com |
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