Abstract
Statistics have had it that one out of every five children lives in a poor condition in the United States. This factor is now costing up to 4% of U.S domestic product per year thus consequently affecting the economy of the United States (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) has come up with strategies towards handling this condition. However it can be argued that as much as HCZ programs appear to be effective, they bear some weaknesses, face some threats and also have some loop holes. HCZ programs has done well in promoting community building, creating pipeline support and providing service to the entire community and at scale. On the other hand, HCZ is likely to face adequate government support in terms of resources. These programs also lack proper account on what should be done for the poor parents to help in reducing reproduction of poor children.
Introduction
It is believed that almost 13million children in the United States live in poverty. This factor has therefore forced these children to lack access to some basic and quality human needs as compared to their counterparts who are categorized in the middleclass (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). This situation has also posed some threats in the economy of the United States in the near future due to the fact that the number of unskilled individuals is likely to rise should this children fate ends up unsolved. Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) has therefore come up with strategies that can help the government of the United States in cubing this situation. However, some of the strategies that have been put in place by HCZ seem to have some weaknesses, opportunity and threats as much as they have strengths towards solving this problem.
Strengths of Harlem Children’s Zone Project model
In order to overcome the limits of traditional approaches towards solving this problem, (HCZ) has come up with a strategy that will help them serve the neighborhood comprehensively. Strength of this strategy comes out in the sense it will be able to benefit more children as compared to traditional methods. This strategy will also enhance creation of large scale programs that will help in meeting the needs of locals. This strategy will also help in transforming physical and social environments which will enhance development of children (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009).
(HCZ) has also created a pipeline support. This program tends to promote uninterrupted healthy growth of children. This is achievable due to the fact that every age group is catered for in the (HCZ). Programs provided by (HCZ) have also been developed using strong evidences a factor that makes this programs to be of more quality. Provision of this high quality programs in the HCZ pipeline has also experienced success since most of its programs has produced outcomes of the same caliber as those provided by national, state or even the cities (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009).
The other principle that HCZ has adopted towards dealing with the problems faced by the poor children in the United States is engagement in community building. This principle seems to be effective due to the fact that even the capable families will also need the support of healthy and flourishing community (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). Therefore, involvement of community building by the HCZ appears to boost effectiveness of their work within the community.
Weaknesses of HCZ project
One of the biggest weaknesses that can be associated with the HCZ programs is the miss out in programs that cater for the parents of these children. This way, it can be argued that as much as HCZ has put in place measures that help in dealing with factors that affect poor children in the United States, this condition might still continue existing. This because, low class parents will continue giving birth new offspring a factor that will promote existence of many poor children. It is also important to note that currently, HCZ resources are not adequate to cater for the needs of the current 13 millions struggling children (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). Therefore failing to come up with proper mechanism of controlling reproduction of these children, complete solution to this problem might not reached at.
Opportunities created from this HCZ project
It is clear that HCZ programs helps in nurturing the ability of these children from their early stages up to the college levels (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). However, among all the HCZ principles, none of them focuses on provision of job opportunities to these children. It can therefore be argued that HCZ should come with a strategy that might enhance creation of self employment among these children at the end of their college education. HCZ can also advocate for some job opportunities from the government that can accommodate these children in completion of their college education. It is important to note that provision of quality health facilities and education only will not help in solving the issue of poverty. This is why HCZ should come up with mechanism that will ensure that the skills equipped in these children throughout their time in the institution do not go in vain. Instead, these skills should be converted to proper use that will help in building the economy of the country thus reducing the rate of poverty.
Threats that are likely to be faced by HCZ
One of the major threats that HCZ is experiencing is lack of government support in terms of resources. It is clear that the federal government indeed spends billions in helping individuals in improve economically. The only problem is that the poor families who should be the major beneficiaries of this money turn out to receive the smallest share of it. This factor makes it even more difficult for organizations such as HCZ to get enough support from the government and even if they do, it comes with conditions on how that money should be spent (Harlem Children’s Zone, 2009). However, HCZ depends a lot more from donations from well wishers and public organizations. This factor has made it easier for them when it come to flexible spending of their resources wisely, but then again donations might not be as continuous as government provision since the donors might decide to give their donations at their will. This factor is likely to pose more financial threat to HCZ since it might not budget comprehensively in advance due to the fact that it might be very difficult to anticipate the value donations to be obtained from donors.
Reference
Harlem Children’s Zone. (2009). whatever it takes: A White Paper on the Harlem Children’s
Zone. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
