Numbers Don't Lie: How an Atlanta Based Non Profit Plans to Change Statistics

Atlanta based non profit organization P.U.P.I.L. creates humanities and technology programs for inner city youth.

Numbers Don't Lie:
How an Atlanta Based Non Profit Organization Plans to Change Statistics

- According to the NCHS National Vital Statistics System for numbers of deaths, Homicide is the second leading cause of death for persons 15 to 24 years of age and is the leading cause of death for African-American youth in this age-group.

- African-American adolescents 13 - 19 accounted for 1,919 AIDS cases (55 percent females) and 3,517 HIV infections (62% females); AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death among African Americans ages 25 to 44 -- a group likely to have contracted HIV as adolescents.

- The teen birth rate for African Americans ages 15 to 19 declined 26 percent between 1991 and 1996; despite this decline, the African-American teen birth rate remains at 85.3 births per 1,000 women, almost double the rate for Caucasian teens of 45.4 births per 1,000 women.

The previous statistics are not isolated numbers intended to sensationalize the growing problems among inner city youth. These statistics are the unfortunate results of war, educational cutbacks and stunted cultural growth. Inner city families, schools and communities are operating below the poverty line and gaining even less support. This lack of support has created unhealthy numbers of violent deaths, teenage pregnancy, and unemployment.

When community activist Grant Love realized that these statistics were mirror images of his own community, he knew he had to take action. "When our kids don't have anything to look forward to or develop, they begin looking for something to hold on to. Unfortunately, many of the things they end up holding on to won't help them, but instead will hurt and harm them."

Acknowledging this civic devastation, People Uplifting People In Life (P.U.P.I.L) was established. The Atlanta based not for profit organization is committed to servicing the urban populace and schools. Founded in 1999 by Grant Love, P.U.P.I.L. is a heroic response to the growing statistics related to lack of jobs & job training, technological education and artistic outlets. P.U.P.I.L.'s aspiration to provide educational reinforcement has been accomplished through a series of programs that are strengthening Atlanta and its' socially neglected citizens.

According to the 1999 Hobbs Research, artistic and technological skills are essential for young people to feel satisfaction and contribute to society. For today's at-risk youth, opportunities to acquire these skills are seldom readily available.
"We have to begin exposing our children to all the same opportunities as any suburbanite. We have to teach our kids to realize their worth, their need and their futures," stated Love when asked what he believed P.U.P.I.L. could provide.

Concentrating on 10 fundamental components, P.U.P.I.L. has created a series of metropolitan based courses, services and training.

These components are:
1. Arts, Technology & Educational Centre
2. Cultural Enrichment Program
3. Preventive Health Care Education
4. Toy, Food and Clothing Drives
5. Computer Skills Training
6. Spoken Word Workshops
7. Theatre for the youth Workshops
8. Sports Workshops
9. Career Development
10. Veterans Concert Tour

Each P.U.P.I.L. agenda has been thoroughly developed to ensure Atlanta's inner city youth gets the best of what the world has to offer. Relationships forged with guilds such as the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce allow P.U.P.I.L. to reach Atlanta based leaders and businesses for support and information. Recent donations from Viacom and Steel Petal (NYC) have given P.U.P.I.L. corporate assistance and regional aid.

P.U.P.I.L. is now opening its arms to embrace support and assistance. Acts of charity will assist P.U.P.I.L. to artistically and technologically mobilize areas that up to this point were considered uninspired.

For detailed descriptions of each component and more info on P.U.P.I.L. in its' entirety please visit www.pupilworldwide.org. All business and media inquiries should be directed to Purpose Media Management at (917) 566-0552 or www.purpose-media.com.

The only way to reinforce our communities is to become an active role in the process of creating progress.