This website is dedicated to my mother, Miss Claudia "Red" Ross. A lady who gave her all so that her 11 children could get an education. This is a lady that sent 5 children to a private school in the late 50's by working two jobs because she felt we could get a better education in a private Catholic school. Having been blessed with a mother that realized the importance of education and worked tirelessly to ensure that her children recieved an education has been my motivation since I was a child. She was the beacon of hope that inspired me to be better than most. I too wish to serve as beacon for children and young people.My most important lessons and accomplishments have been based on the values that my mother, Claudia, instilled in my siblings and me. She believed that education was the key to success and worked mutiple jobs to provide a quality education for her children. Even though she did not attend college her goal was to see her children attend and graduate from college. She believed in family and stressed the importance of unity and family relationships.Having spent more than 30 years in the educational system and working within my community and school, I see many obstacles hindering the growth of our children. The "Focus on the Children" program is designed to link families and communities and remove barriers that discourage self improvement/success. This program will offer structured programs that instill wholesome family ideas and values that make a difference in the lives of everyone. Ultimately, the presence of such a program will advance our community educationally, socially and professionally.The disconnect between families has caused the deterioration of communities and erosion of our educational system. We are a community of many but offer limited resources to address the needs of our youth. My vision for a better community is dependent upon the implementationn of a program that intertwines the importance of family, positive values and education.To reach students, parents, teachers,community leaders and others we must provide activities and programs that build character. The Focus the Children program will be a collaborative effort between concerned citizens, educational professionals and entire community of Yazoo City, that will symbolize a renewed desire for growth and learning.We will utilize traditional and non-traditional approaches to address the needs of our community. Through our program we expect growth and learning so that we can offer opportunity to our youth so that they are able to realize their self worth and the value of others while strengthening and promoting the importance of educatin and perseverance.Together we have a chance to do something very very special. And we have to work harder than we've ever worked, we have to work smarter than we've ever worked, we're going to have a lot of fun together, but we are not in this battle alone. Our goal is to unite the entire community behind this effort: Business leaders, community leaders, the philanthropic community. And all of us working together, all of us working together have a chance to do something extraordinary.
