I heard a story Friday about the Harlem Children’s Zone – and I thought it was worth sharing.  It’s inspiring to hear about the good work of others, and how investing wisely today in children, has such a multitude of long term benefits.  President Obama has also recognized the success of this organization, and wants to model a program called “Promise Neighborhoods” in 20 cities across the country.

The Harlem Children’s Zone is a non-profit founded to nurture, mentor, guide Harlem’s children.  Their grassroots efforts start as early as pregnancy, where they teach young soon to be mothers about the importance of good nutrition and the impact of their actions on fetal development.  They also have health clinics and run charter schools.  The 3rd graders in this charter school program all recently tested at or above grade level, a significant achievement, particularly in such a disadvantaged neighborhood.  

Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone, has his own personal story which directed him to found this organization.  Growing up poor in the South Bronx, one of four children of a single mother, very poor, living off welfare.  When his mother worked, the only difference between working vs. being on welfare was that the children didn’t see their mother very much.  The money was about the same.  The moment of poignancy in his life struck when he was 9 years old.  He was reading a Superman comic book, and his mother told him that Superman was not real.  He broke down into tears.  He thought Superman would be the hero that would come to his family’s rescue, after he finished fighting the other villains.  It was this epiphany that led him to want to be the ”Superman” for other children in need….and I would say he has successfully accomplished his mission.

The investment in these children amounts to about $3,500 a year.  But compare that to what taxpayers finance to keep people behind bars – where 30-50% of Harlem’s boys end up – $50,000.  This is a poignant example of how the right investments (which typically get cut or are hard to fund) are the most sound investment in the long run – for all of us.