`You have to show them you care'; Youth advocate rallies meeting of United Way.

Byline: Mark Melady

WORCESTER - Edward DeJesus, a nationally prominent youth advocate, said the Iraq war and President Bush's economic and education policies have been especially hurtful to young people and called for a major federal youth jobs initiative.

"The Bush administration is not concerned about the plight of America's youth; we are," said Mr. DeJesus, addressing the regional United Way annual meeting at Mechanics Hall Tuesday.

The Iraq war, he said, "put bombs before children."

The No Child Left Behind law created "one-size-fits-all standardized testing that will decide our kids' education future," he said.

Most of the job losses in recent years have affected young people.

"Those under the age of 24 are only 15 percent of the population, but they've lost 50 percent of the jobs," said Mr. DeJesus, president and founder of Youth Development Research Fund, which advises youth organizations and agencies.

He noted that one in four African-American males from 16 to 24 and one in five Latino males in that age group were jobless, out of work and on the street. Only 9 percent of African-American men who start community college graduate, he said.

What's needed, Mr. Dejesus said, is a youth employment program on the order of the Civilian Conservation Corps, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Depression, which put tens of thousands of young people to work in forests, parkland and rural communities around the country.

"If they did it then, we can make them do it now," he said.

In an energetic, high-decibel performance that prompted a standing ovation from the 200 or so people gathered for the United Way of Central Massachusetts event, Mr. DeJesus urged local business owners to create jobs for young people and to support training programs "so they can make the jump from street life to work life."

"You have to show them that you care," he said. "Take a stand. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

Mr. DeJesus is the author of "Makin' It," based on the experiences of nearly 200 youths who overcame bad life situations to get an education.

Youth economic development is not a major concern of anyone, he said. "There are more programs on television about the showing, training and caring for dogs than there are about the training and caring for kids," he said.

Taking off his jacket at one point, Mr. DeJesus led the audience in a chant: "We fell for the tricks in 2006/We'll take a step toward heaven in 2007/Everything will get straight in 2008/The world is mine in 2009."

Earlier Tuesday, Mr. DeJesus lead a workshop in "youth cultural competency" at the Boys & Girls Club on Tainter Street with representatives of local agencies that serve young people.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Edward DeJesus, president and founder of Youth Development Research Fund, leads a workshop on "youth cultural competency" at the Boys & Girls Club Tuesday.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/PAUL KAPTEYN