Be The Change - Charlie Menoher, Redding

Many Upper California residents may not remember, or even have realized, that in the 1980s and ‘90s, local gang activity was on the rise. In 1994, for example, there were 20 felony gang-related acts of violence in Redding, including twelve drive-by shootings. Thankfully law enforcement gained the upper hand, while debates about the underlying issues driving the behaviors ensued. Charles "Charlie" Menoher, then Superintendent of Schools for Shasta County, worked to address the issues at their core.

An advocate for youth, Charlie believes that "We need to show youth they belong and that they can connect to positive things. If they know we care, they'll do the right thing." His extensive research on at-risk teens identifies three distinct contributing characteristics: poverty, lack of literacy and lack of connectedness. "The biggest issue is undereducated kids; we're letting too many come out of school unprepared for what life has to offer." He continues, "There is urgency when working with the life of a young person. Every moment we spend with them in school has a huge impact on the next 60 years of their lives."

Charlie lives by a motto adopted from his mother, "Life is not about being, it's about doing." In 2002, Charlie accepted the executive director position of the Youth Violence Prevention Council, an organization dedicated to minimizing teen participation in publicly destructive behaviors and gang activities. In 2005, he became Chair of the Assets in Action Partnership, an organization focused on building communities that support every child's needs for caring adults, safe places and meaningful activities.

About the art: As one of the dispositions (sentencing possibilities) for Youth/Peer Court, respondents (defendants who’ve admitted guilt) may be asked to write an essay, a song, or to create a poster or a photo display on a topic chosen by the jury that relates to a respondent's crime, and to his or her talents or abilities. This particular poster was created by a youth who went through the court system.

Born in Atlanta, GA, and reared in Anderson, Charlie met his wife Judy at a dance when he was a senior at Anderson High School; they've been together since. After undergraduate work at Chico State and receiving a masters degree from San Jose State, Charlie taught at elementary and middle schools (Judy at a K-8 school) in the San Francisco Bay area. Their daughter Holly was born in Santa Clara; the Menohers moved to Redding in 1973 "because it's just a beautiful place to be and a great place to raise a family," Charlie says.

He served as superintendent/principal of Black Butte Elementary School while earning his doctorate from Brigham Young University. Now retired, Charlie still consults for academics; Judy is a faculty member at National University in Redding. Holly received her teaching credential from Simpson University and is now a curriculum coordinator for a middle school in Oregon.

While a public schools superintendent, Charlie implemented a policy advocating parental choice in education, and encouraged cooperation and sharing of resources between schools - shifts not fully received with open arms in the ‘90s. Charlie then implemented the Principal for a Day program, allowing community members to experience firsthand what teachers and educators deal with daily, resulting in greater public understanding and appreciation of what's accomplished within schools.

Charlie believes whole-heartedly in the importance of community in the lives of children. "Kids need to be able to participate in the community; to affiliate with other people and to understand that we, as a community, have expectations for them. When youths don't have these things in place, they're not prepared to make good decisions, and they often don't." In fact, youth may turn to gangs to fulfill aspects of community that are absent from their lives.

As a youth, Charlie recalls neighbors telling him when he was acting inappropriately - a guiding reprimand he found effective. He encourages community members to talk with neighborhood kids, find their interests and do fun things with them like fishing or playing catch - all of which can have a positive impact on their choices.

The Shasta County Youth Peer Court, run by community youth, is a project Charlie is passionate about. He defines it as a diversion program whose aim is "to find ways for the youth to participate, to connect with positive things, and to find a sense of belonging." His philosophy: instead of locking teens up and tarnishing their futures, time and energy are better spent examining "what interests the youth and figuring out ways to help them. That's why the Youth Court is a powerful tool."

As Charlie says, "Get involved!" For more information: Assets in Action Partnership, www.hipshasta.org; Youth Violence Prevention Council and Shasta County Youth Peer Court, www.yvpc.org.

Joshua Corbelli is a freelance writer who lives in Redding. He wrote this piece because he, too, believes in the power of involvement.