| Charles Houston Recreation Center | | | Pierre Beattie | 5/17/2015 |
Professor Lori Bufka
DeVry University

Someone a long time ago told me that it takes a village to raise a child. Over the years I have realized that this not only is true, but it has great significance in everyone’s future. There are many obstacles in today’s society where there are failing schools, underpaid teachers, and misinformation to where children are in many ways forgotten. I hope that in the near future there would be more and more adults who will step up to the plate and attempt to lead America’s youth. One such individual is Scott Carter, the leader of the Charles Houston recreation center in Washington, D.C. He is a living example of someone who sees the need for positive adults in the community and wishes to make a positive impact in the lives of not just the young but the old as well. It has come to my attention that the Charles Houston recreation center will be closing its doors in a matter of a couple weeks because the District of Columbia refuses to properly fund the facility because of budget cuts. That means that hundreds of local area youths will no longer have a place that they can call a safe haven when they get out of school or in their leisure time. The Charles Houston recreation center has been around for over 20 years and has over the years formed a basketball and football team. They also hold rally’s where the homeless can get a meal and other special community events. I for one came here on a daily basis and participated in everything it has to offer. I must admit that if it was not for Charles Houston I would have been in the neighborhood doing negative acts instead of positive ones. What I am asking for today is for the community to step up and put an end to the plans for closing down this community center. Charles Houston is located in a very poverty stricken area in Southeast Washington, D.C. where violence is of the norm. Murders, rapes, and robberies plague this small part of town where the White House is only 4 miles away. It is a neighborhood that in my opinion is forgotten and neglected by the people around us. But it is also home to many upstanding citizens who work hard every day to provide for their families. The children sees Charles Houston as an inviting place where they can play sports, watch television, or just hang out when it’s boring at home. But the politician’s don’t seem to care. To them it’s all about money. In a recent study, Washington, D.C. has spent more money on jails than they have on revitalizing the school systems. The teachers are underpaid, and violent crimes are one of the worst in the country. This is certainly not the solution to the problem. I find it that it is appalling that we as taxpayers are not standing up and letting our voices be heard. In my opinion, the situation is not getting better in my neighborhood or others like mine across the country. ` Throughout the years this recreation center has experienced its shares of hardship. Last year, vandals broke into the rec when it was closed and stole the television, computers, and other electronics. But because of the strong community unity, we were able to replace those goods from donations and gifts. Every thanksgiving, Scott Carter the rec leader hands out turkeys to the needy and provides clothing to the homeless through various foundations. But due to funding cuts bought on by the government, they are forcing the center to close its doors in two months. We have to come up with a solution that will inform the government that this is a detrimental loss to not only the children but to city as a whole. Scott Carter not only is the founder, he is also my uncle. He is 45 years old and lives 2 blocks away from the recreation center. My uncle has been a staple in this community for years. Not only does he lead the recreation center, he also coaches the basketball team and hosts his own show via Netflix. There is no other man that I know who fully understands the plight of the community more than Scott Carter. Scott was involved in selling narcotics until he went to prison and served 3 years. He then made a personal commitment to help his community instead of continually to hurt them.