KRISTA RAMSEY

Story on 14-year-olds triggered citywide conversation

By Krista Ramsey
Krista Ramsey interviews Tony Hill for the Turning 14 project. At age 10 Tony and his six sibling were removed from the custody of his mother, and he now lives with his grandmother. He hasn't seen his siblings since.    The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

A tipping point. A turning point. A line in the sand.

Whatever it was, something happened last Sunday when 14 young teenagers opened up about their lives – the violence they see, the fear they feel as they move about their neighborhoods, the friends they've lost to shootings, the dreams they so fiercely hold – in a story The Enquirer called, "Being 14 in the city."

What happened is we finally heard them.

They stopped being the nameless kids caught on the edge of a crime-scene photograph, laying flowers and teddy bears at the site of a friend's shooting.

They stopped being "14-year-old arrested for robbery at DeSales Market."

They became Alexis, Armanie, Grady, Jalen, Jamir, Jazonee, Kimera, Lamon, Malek G., Malik N., Nayla, Savannah, Terri and Tony – real kids caught in the complexities of neighborhoods that are safe one minute and fatal the next, of social dynamics that send you out on the street because you can't sit in the house forever, but make you suspicious of everyone around you, even your friends.

They became kids who deserve to live and breathe and hang out and have fun as much as kids in better circumstances do.

That realization set off a conversation that caught fire all week on Facebook and Twitter, through church groups and community councils, in judges' chambers and at family dinner tables. We've included some of the very thoughtful responses we received below; we suspect you heard others.

The basic thread of those conversations was something like this: If, in their short 14 years of life, these kids have faced poverty, hunger, academic failure, the incarceration of a parent, the death of a friend, bullying and multiple family moves – and they're still standing – then what can our community do to step up and help them?

And step up in a fresh, practical new way, without getting stalled in budgets and initiatives, in placing blame and "studying the issue?"

What if – for example – we helped them find safe ways home from the bus stop? What if we made sure in every neighborhood there was an easy place for kids to go and say, "There's no food in my house" or "My mom cries every night?"

What if we decided to fight actively, rather than passively abide, a street culture that makes it hard to be smart and easy to be cruel, that glorifies aggression and normalizes violence?

What if we found a mentor for every kid who wants one, a safe after-school place for every kid who needs one, a part-time job for every kid who's ready for one, a second chance for every kid who deserves one?

What if we stopped viewing these kids as threats or tragedies and started viewing them as survivors – even heroes?

And what if we decided that this is the time to become theirs?

Reaction to '14'

Jack M. Jose, principal, Gamble Montessori High School: I appreciate your efforts to show what these students' lives are like, and to take the time to get them in a position where they felt comfortable opening up to you. Revealing the lives of people who are strangers to us – and adolescents fit that description even when they come from within our own house – is the compassionate and revealing side of meaningful reporting. I hope that it triggers dialogue in homes across Cincinnati – not just in the neighborhoods mentioned, but in the entire readership of the Enquirer. I think the first step toward solutions is understanding, and you helped Cincinnati take that step today.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Fanon A. Rucker: As the father of two teens and having grown up in almost the same, if not worse, environment in Gary, Ind., almost 30 years ago, this article reminds me of how difficult life is for some, and to be mindful that your reality is not everybody else's. I talk to "successful" folks every day who believe we all begin this race at the same starting line. Not true.

Ann Boyle, Evendale: I teach at St. Francis de Sales and each day I see the faces of those same 14-year-olds that you wrote about. For eight hours we keep them safe and hopefully provide them with life lessons that help them when they leave our building each night. Thank you for shedding light on what these children (and they are children) deal with that sometimes is beyond their control. They have to make choices that are so hard to make. Hopefully your article will bring more mentors and support to their world.

Kelly Leon, director for strategic communications, Xavier University: I noticed that one of the young women profiled in your story on 14-year-olds, Savannah Howard, mentioned that she could see herself attending Xavier University. I have reached out to Savannah's mother to see if Savannah might need a mentor or big sister in her life and if so, I'd like to find one of our students, faculty or staff members to fill that role. Perhaps spending some time on our campus will further reinforce that she can be a student here someday. We would love to have her and help her fulfill her dreams.

Kent Wellington, mentor and chair, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative Board of Trustees: Thanks for the "14" stories. Sadly, they are representative of many of the vulnerable kids our CYC mentors see. On the bright side, 96% of CYC-mentored vulnerable kids get back on track and graduate from high school. The other 4% are positively and forever impacted by strangers who decide to stop their own personal races to help them. If your readers have been waiting for the right time to become a mentor, your "14" stories poignantly illustrate (that) NOW is the time.

Jody McOsker, Loveland: Thank you for writing this story. I am a teacher at Withrow High School. Sadly, the stories of these children are not unique. I think most of my students have been directly impacted by violence that we in the suburbs cannot even imagine. I have students sporting tattoos or wearing T-shirts declaring RIP for cousins and brothers and good friends, even parents. If I ask my own kids whether they know anyone killed by gunfire they look at me as if I were nuts. But I ask the same question at school and almost all the kids will raise their hands.

Once, in my first year there seven years ago, I asked a student why he was fighting after school. He was a really bright kid and had so much potential. He said he had to fight because if he just tried to walk away they would come after him even harder; he would be a target. It didn't really matter, he said. He was actually surprised he was still alive. There was no point in his mind for planning or working toward anything in his future.

It is amazing that in this environment, so many kids have the resilience to overcome the trauma they may have experienced and come out doing well. When my new grandson was born last week, the nurse was a former student. I've run into students working in stores, at the zoo, had them visit and share their success in college. Many of them work their butts off and do manage to reach their goals. We as a community need to come together and find a way so that they all have the opportunity to do just that.

Every part of our society seems to work against these kids. Thank you for giving them a voice. Please continue to do so.

John Pepper: The stories are gut-wrenching. I've heard we are the second-worst major city in the nation for percentages of children living in poverty. We celebrate progress on the Banks, we root for the Reds, we seek political conventions. Yet our attention to this issue is altogether inadequate, lacking in urgency and united community action.

Thomas A. Dutton, director, Miami University Center for Community Engagement in Over-the-Rhine: A terrific portrayal of city life through the lives of 14-year olds! I read every word. That your piece came out today is an intriguing coincidence in that a piece I've written was just published this morning on Truth-out.org, titled "Econocide Over-the-Rhine."

Econocide is not my term, but I do inflect it with certain meanings, some of which overlap nicely with what you found in those youngsters – it is extremely difficult sometimes to maintain hope and not slide into a kind of nothingness. My quick definition of econocide would be to say that the relation of the "have and have-nots" is really not the primary one today. No, the dominant relation is now the one between the "haves and those-not-needed-nor-wanted." That's my fear, and the internalization of that kind of consciousness is what I fear has happened with many of the youth you present to us."

Judith Van Ginkel, president, Every Child Succeeds: Thank you for a humbling but inspiring piece. I am stunned every day by the resilience and strength of these incredible young people.

Chris Lemmon, Milford: "We invite you to enter the world of 14" has one common thread – most are lacking a father.

The Rev. Sharon Dittmar, First Unitarian Church, Cincinnati: This is one of the most important series I have ever seen. Thank you so much. My congregation is discussing this in some small groups and I will be using it somehow – blog, Google, something.

Here is where I hope we can leverage some meaningful change. This summer the I-71 interchange begins at MLK. Will this interchange (going through Avondale) be used to spur development and support local residents or will we repeat some Cincinnati history (rip out a neighborhood and move our poor, local residents out of the development and its benefits). I have looked and looked and so far I have seen little that speaks to me of real inclusion and creation of a vibrant mixed neighborhood. We need a new interchange for everyone, not just for the "haves" speeding to work and school, but everyone.

It is not about being a bleeding heart. It is looking into the eyes of these children, residents of our city, and human beings and asking ourselves if their quality of life is really the best we have to offer as adults with power, residents of our city and human beings?

Do we want children to grow up afraid to play outside, attending their best friend's funeral at age 13, dying while waiting for a manicure? Many of these children will grow up challenged to finish high school, exposed to criminal activity and violence and without the skills to fuel the economy and employment situation we want.

To say any less admits our defeat and that I am not willing to do. We are the ones to make a difference. They are counting on us.

Jared Kamrass, Blue Ash: "Though I've lived in Cincinnati my entire life, I felt like I was reading about a different city. You successfully changed the lens through which so many of us view the city that we love."

Tracy Cook, executive director of ProKids, says, “Every child is worthy of investment, and ... the world needs their gifts. Most of all, we need to not only invest in our own children, but invest in those who have no one else.”  The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

Tracy Cook, executive director, ProKids: Age 14 is a pivotal moment, where these often awkward creatures – full of potential – start to leave childhood behind forever. And what propels them toward their future is the childhood they experience. Do they have the loving embrace of family, friends and their community? Are they fearful in their neighborhoods? Do they experience neglect and abuse at the hands of those they should be able to trust most?

At 14, the question is their response to their childhoods. Will they internalize those experiences and become a lifelong victim? Will they lash out at others? Or can they find the power in themselves to break the cycle?

What we know at ProKids is that every child is worthy of investment and that the world needs their gifts. Most of all, we need to not only invest in our own children but invest in those who have no one else. And we need to do that today. At ProKids, our staff and volunteers know that with each abused and neglected child we support, we have a chance to change the arc of their story. We welcome volunteers who are looking for a way to give a voice to children of all ages who need an advocate.

Mary Jo Alexander, Green Township: They should be able to be just 14 and not afraid to leave their homes, walk their streets, be with their friends. I won't forget these children. Thank you.

Jeff Martin, Finneytown: Great read and very good project. My wife and I have been fostering and adopting children for the last decade. I couldn't help but think about the suggestions at the end on ways to help and feel that there needs to be so much more involvement. What I wish is that folks get really involved in the lives on these kids and their families. Develop relationships that last years and years. It's messy. It's hard, but it is so important. Adoption and foster care are ways to help.

How to help

We hope that reading "Being 14 in the city" inspired you to want to help young people in our city. As a post on the story said, "Hashtags are very pretty on Twitter. I love them. I will hashtag myself into next week. But a hashtag is not a movement. Volunteer some hours."

Here are four life-changing things you can do:

  • Become a mentor with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. Nearly 1,000 kids are waiting for you. Or sign up to speak about your career, invite a teen to shadow you at work or make a financial donation. For information or to find out how to donate: www.cycyouth.org or 513-363-5203.
  • Help with summer learning programs, service projects or everyday recreation at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, or help fund their programs. To volunteer, 513-421-8909, ext. 19, or www.bgcgc.org. To give, make checks payable to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, 600 Dalton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203.
  • The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati always has a critical need for mentors. Free training is available, and both mentors and mentees receive complimentary YMCA memberships. To volunteer, call 513-246-3233. To give, send checks to YMCA of Greater Cincinnati (Attn: Youth Development), 1105 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
  • Tutor, help with projects or donate to the Avondale Youth Council. Information: 513-281-0599. Give to Avondale Youth Council, 3618 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45229.