Page 7 - 6-5-15 Friday's Edition

Local
Summer Youth Program Celebrates 4th Year
Charter Review Board
Discusses Expanding
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Horace Drew, founder of Rays of Hope Community Outreach, said it has been with the blessings of God that he’s able to return for his fourth year to offer his Summer youth mentoring program.
“From what’s been happening since the be- ginning of the year, it’s past the time for adults to take control of their children, if for any other reason than to protect them.
“On Monday and Thursday nights from 7 p. m. until 8:30 p. m., parents can pitch in to help save our kids over the summer. All young people between the ages of 8 and 19 are in- vited to be a part of this free program.”
Drew said on Saturdays, there will be plenty of activities offered, and also there will be a new speaker every night, with the first speaker being Pastor James Gallon.
“We will have different mentors every night, and we want to teach the kids academics, and what it takes for a young man to be a young man, and a young woman to be a young woman.
“We ask for the parents to bring the kids and be leaders in their homes. Don’t let your children just leave on their own and you either don’t know where they’re going, or who they are traveling with.”
HORACE DREW
Drew said he can’t do any of this without
the help of the parents.
“The program will start on June 8th and run
until August 8th. Parents are welcome to come and observe us working with the children, or help out.”
The program is being offered at Abundant Life Enrichment Church, 4701 East Hanna.
To learn more about this and other pro- grams, you can reach Drew at (813) 735- 5456, or you can visit their website at www.raysofhopeouteach.org.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Hillsborough County Charter Review Board mem- ber Gerald White said on Tuesday, they voted to ad- dress the idea of adding two more seats to the Board of County Commissioners at their next meeting.
“We voted 10-2 to address the 5-4 plan (5 single mem- ber districts, 4 at-large seats) and hope this will address the concern of creating a dis- trict for the Hispanic popula- tion.
“During our meetings to discuss the initiative, we’ve had excellent attendance from the Hispanic commu- nity. Their testimony has been vital.”
Commissioner Les Miller has said in the past, he’s not opposed to the 5-4 concept. However, there is concern that by creating two more districts, the current 7 will be diluted, and have an
GERALD WHITE
impact on representation, especially for African Ameri- cans.
“If you look at the district Sandy Murman currently represents, you will see it’s predominately Hispanic,” said White.
“There will be some changes with the 5-4 con- cept, but we don’t feel it will be detrimental to the other districts.”
White said a public hear- ing will be set up in the near future to get input from resi- dents.
Board Of Commissioners
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A