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Remembering Prince: Reactions of musicians, industry pros, fans to the death of a rock royal and renaissance man

Letter to the Editor: If painkiller required, ask your doctor about alternatives to oxycodone

<p>As parents, most of us want our kids to &#8220;go places.&#8221; From a literal perspective, mine are, and I am really jealous!</p><p>Between May and August, one or both of my daughters will be going to Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Pittsburgh, California and Ecuador. My wife and I, on the other hand, if we are real lucky, just maybe, we might get in a day trip to New Jersey.</p><p>While there are often some unique learning, service and fun opportunities as part of traveling, I am teasing, of course, about the literal interpretation of &#8220;going places.&#8221; Figuratively, this phrase usually means that someone has the drive, ability and potential to achieve and succeed. As parents, that is a common and heartfelt aspiration we all genuinely share for our children.</p><p>Although it sounds like an old U.S. Army commercial, most parents hope their children will be all they can be. There are countless stories of families throughout the Wyoming Valley that can trace generational progress over time from immigrant to coal miner to military service or factory worker to first-time college graduate. Each generation hopes that the next will do better, be more successful and, above all, be happy throughout their lives.</p><p>With very few, if any, exceptions, every child who has &#8220;gone places&#8221; and achieved his or her potential has had a significant relationship with an adult who cares. Most often, parents provide the nurturing relationship needed by their children to succeed, but there are plenty of examples of other adults who have made a huge impact in the life and direction of a child.</p><p>Rita Pierson, a retired educator who has worked to transform education across the country, once said, &#8220;Every child deserves a champion &#8230; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.&#8221;</p><p>Unfortunately, there are children throughout our community who do not have champions in their lives. Some kids are born into difficult circumstances and grow up surrounded by dysfunction, stress, little guidance from caring adults and hopelessness. In these cases, early development does not happen as it should and risks for long-term mental and physical health issues substantially increase. Statistically, the likelihood that these kids will get out of poverty, &#8220;go places&#8221; or become the best they can be is very slim.</p><p>The United Way of Wyoming Valley understands that poverty is a critical determinant of health outcomes, mental illness, academic achievement, employment success and even premature death. Every day, with the help of many champions and partners, we are working to improve the odds for the children and families of our community.</p><p>The United Way wants all children to be all they can be and &#8220;go places.&#8221; I believe our collective efforts will help many more reach a higher potential. The work we are doing today to support educational efforts, health initiatives and family stability will surely impact today&#8217;s children and generations to follow.</p><p>I haven&#8217;t traveled all that often. The farthest out of the country I have been has been on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls! Yet, as the great-grandson of a courageous immigrant, the grandson of a hardworking miner, the son of a proud Marine and a longtime union member, and a first-generation college graduate, I am happy right where I am &#8211; in a job I am passionate about, serving a great community I&#8217;ll always call home, and, most importantly, helping the next generation of kids go places.</p><p>May we always be champions for the children of our community!</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Bill Jones</p><p>Guest 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 ext. 1230.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Bill Jones: Be a champion for the Wyoming Valley’s children