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' `s <br /> , , BOYS & GIRLS CLUB <br /> ' of Decatur, Inc. <br /> Administrative Office•859 N.Jasper•P.O.Box 744•Decatur,IL 62525•(21�422-9605 <br /> April 11, 2000 �, <br /> Mr. Steve Garman <br /> City Manager <br /> City of Decatur, lllinois <br /> #1 Gary K.Anderson Plaza ' <br /> Decatur,111inois' 62523-1196 <br /> IN RE• "ENHANCED QUALITY OF UFE THROUGH COMMUNITY <br /> DEVELOPMENT•A YIEW OF THE ROLE OF ECONOMIC DEYELOPMENT' <br /> Dear City Manager Garman: <br /> It is safe to say that,most of us—those of us who make up the contingent of the well-intended ad- <br /> vocates and interventionists in behalf of affeeted peoples of Decatur—seek the ideal, as opposed <br /> to reality. The fact of the matter is that after some two to three decades of attempting bo meet the <br /> myriad�of unmet needs of affected group members,we have acquired a service delivery style, one <br /> which tends to provide for our clientele, as opposed to nailing down the blanks which will bring <br /> about their[own]resourcefulness and empowermenti <br /> The Boys and Giris Club of Decatur, Inc. is one such agency. It attracts and maintains able, tal- , <br /> ented and dedicated (volunteer) board members, community volunteers, and full- and part time <br /> staff. The Club is a recreational and character development organization,which seeks to uplift the , <br /> status and condition of local youth—many from socially and economically disadvantaged circum- ' <br /> stances—and progress such young people toward their achievement of productive adulthood and <br /> positive citizenship. <br /> Although this is a laudatory mission, one which the members of the boartl, volunteers, staff, and �I <br /> all who are otherwise affiliated undertake with deepest sense of conviction and commitment, it is I <br /> becoming more and more apparent that such efforts, alone, will not bear the fniits necessary to <br /> yield marketable and sustained changes in the lives of our youth membership. <br /> That is why it was an enjoyable experience to receive and read your thoughts pertaining to eco- !� <br /> nomic deve/opment in and for the City of Decatur. Economic development policy and programs � <br /> should result in more resources tilted toward more individuals and exalted capacity for empower- � <br /> ment acquired by an enlarged pool afFected people. <br /> I concur with you that open and frank economic development-related discussion wifl become es- �I <br /> sential to the entire community. Several items from each sector of Decatur must become infused <br /> into the final plan, if we are bo expect subsequent plans of action to be proximate and appropriate ', <br /> to economic development risks and needs of this city. <br /> Much of what you are about to ingest is not new nor radical. The subject-matters, however, are en- <br /> demic to the youth and families for which this organization serves, and, because of their respec- <br /> tive and collective standards of living and qualities of life, I advance my thoughts about economic � <br /> development in their behalf. '�� <br /> Thank you for this opportunity. <br /> Sincerely, I' <br /> Gc� :� � . � <br /> Walter . Smith <br /> Executive Director � '� <br /> A Unfted Way Agency I <br />