Ending the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Youth Program

Andrew D is upset over at the Burnt Orange Report: Feds Cut Off Funds for Migrant Workers' Kids

This is a program which is successful at keeping poor kids in school so they can pull themselves out of staggering poverty. It provides necessary services to people who couldn't otherwise afford it. It serves only to help people who are among the poorest yet also most important workers in our society. And they want to get rid of it.

"They" are the Bush Administration and Republicans in general. "It" is the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Youth Program. It's purpose:

Youth Program was designed to meet the needs of at-risk and out-of-school farmworker youth through the provision of comprehensive services that will enhance basic education, occupational and life skills. Today the program includes youths ranging from 14 to 21 year-old farmworkers and children of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker parents, as defined in Section 167 of The Workforce Investment Act. As of 2003, there are 12 organizations who have received grants ranging from $200,000 to $2 million, for a total of $10 million.

The activities and services include self and interpersonal skills development, community service projects, basic skills, drop-out prevention, study skills training and tutoring, and work readiness or occupational skills, as needed. Additional services include individual employment plans, community service projects, on-the-job training, entrepreneurial training and adult mentoring, just to name a few.

In addition, support services are provided to ensure that youth are able to participate in activities. These include transportation, medical assistance, daycare for their children, clothing and nutritional needs.

It has a list of success stories for the curious reader.

Andrew obviously believes government exists to help those in need and any reduction in government that negatively impacts the ability of the state to help those in need is wrong. I obviously disagree.

I just want to know why he thinks the needy are entitled to these services and why people should have to pay taxes to support them.

Posted by Drizzten at July 21, 2004 04:13 PM