web1_MeyersRiverside3.jpg

Our Opinion: Area’s high school basketball players go ‘big time’ at Mohegan Sun Arena

web1_Wolf1.jpg

Pennsylvania governor says he has treatable prostate cancer

<p>Over the past couple of years, I have written extensively about the powerful but challenging work of the United Way and our new focus on childhood poverty. With nearly one in three children living in poverty, this is a very critical issue in the Wyoming Valley and it affects all of us. I have written how important it will be for us to work together to address the impact poverty creates for children, families and the entire community.</p><p>Since introducing our new focus, the United Way of Wyoming Valley has received great feedback, support and partnership offers from community organizations like the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, The Luzerne Foundation, Leadership Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County Children and Youth, the Luzerne Intermediate Unit, the local colleges, hospital systems, school districts, numerous civic clubs, companies, agencies and private foundations. I am truly excited about the initial responses and I really believe momentum is building and action is beginning.</p><p>In addition to these organizational and institutional relationships, many individual donors often ask us what they can do beyond writing a check or offering support through payroll deduction. Not long ago, I had a very interesting phone call with an individual who has become passionate about our direction and just wanted to know what more could she do. She talked about the &#8220;power of one!&#8221;</p><p>The power of one stems from the idea that every one of us has the power and ability to make a difference in the lives of others, especially for children. There are countless examples of how one caring principal, teacher or counselor can profoundly help a student who may be at risk &#8211; of failing school, on the road to addiction, hiding abuse or neglect or even contemplating suicide &#8211; find the hope to persevere.</p><p>There are dozens of examples of how local police officers have helped troubled youth make better choices to avoid actions that could lead to incarceration and ruin lives; coaches who spend the extra time to provide needed direction to their players; or how clergy members help teenagers discern right from wrong and grow. Neighbors help neighbors, aunts and uncles pitch in, and every year in the Wyoming Valley, hundreds of adult volunteers become mentors. Each of these efforts has the potential to influence, shape and change young lives.</p><p>My siblings and I grew up in a home with parents who loved us and did all they could for us. While we weren&#8217;t rich by any means, our home was happy and safe, and our needs were always met. Yet, I will always value and forever appreciate the huge influence two principals, several high school and college teachers, a basketball coach, a college chaplain and our neighbors had on my life during my teenage years and early adult life.</p><p>A quote attributable to several sources says: &#8220;To the world, you may be one person. To one person, you may be the world.&#8221; Indeed, each of us can make a world of difference for others. That is the power of one &#8211; the power of you!</p><p>With more than 11,500 children in the Wyoming Valley living in poverty, the need is not only right in front of us but all around us as well. The United Way of Wyoming Valley is helping to lead the efforts to address childhood poverty and build a stronger community, but we can&#8217;t do it alone.</p><p>We all have an ability to help our kids and our community. When we multiply that power of one, we can impact a lot of lives and change the world for those in need.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_JonesBill.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_JonesBill.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Bill Jones</p><p>Contributing columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Bill Jones is president and CEO of <a href="http://www.unitedwaywb.org/" target="_blank">United Way of Wyoming Valley</a>. He can be reached at 570-829-6711 extension 1230.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Bill Jones: You have power to be positive influence on child’s life