Dr. Richard Lerner wrote a book called The Good Teen: Rescuing Adolescence from the Myths of the Storm and Stress Years. Get it. Read it. Here is a nice excerpt from the book that focuses on why the deficit model to youth development is deficient and why government programs and policies that focus on [...]
Archive > April 2009
Teen on the Hill
There is nothing better than a teenager on Capitol Hill. Teens tend to soak-up the experience and revel in the seemingly minor occurrences that us older folks overlook and completely miss. They remind me that there is something truly special about Washington, DC, and the opportunity to speak directly to lawmakers. [...]
In Defense of Lobbyists
In case you were wondering, yes, I am a lobbyist. I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. When I announce my profession to a room full of new acquaintances, the reaction is a mixture of disappointment and concern. Elderly women clutch their purses. Men take a deep breath and cross their arms. Babies wail. If instead I describe [...]
Detroit and the Final Four
The NCAA Final Four begins today at Ford Field in Detroit. I grew up in Michigan and still consider it home. I root for Detroit’s professional sports teams (the only exception to this is the Detroit Lions, but they don’t really qualify as ‘professional’). Tonight, I will be wearing green and white and cheering [...]
