Foster youth can use Fair Futures
Brooklyn: Re “NYC graduation rates continue steady rise” (Jan. 16): A rising graduation rate to 77.3% is an important step forward, but it stands in deep contrast with the fact that just 21% of young people in New York City who age out of foster care at age 21 have a high school diploma or equivalent. Fortunately, we already have a model proven to dramatically improve education outcomes for young people in foster care. The Fair Futures model connects youth in foster care with critical life and academic supports through a one-on-one coach and is proven to raise the rate of high school completion to 94%. Coaches provide youth with the consistent guidance and resources needed to be successful as they transition into adulthood.
Unfortunately, the mayor left this transformative program out of his preliminary budget despite making a significant investment in launching Fair Futures the year prior. He should instead build on the city’s initial investment to improve the lives of thousands of young people in foster care. To do this, the city must baseline its initial $10 million investment and secure full funding of $50 million for Fair Futures in partnership with the state. Every young person in New York City deserves a fair shot at success and this program can give youth in foster care the tools to make that a reality. Jess Dannhauser, CEO and president, Graham Windham
To the dogs
Richmond, Va.: In response to Voicer George Macy who asks what has happened to New York City: Those problems are caused by the people voted into office. As a former New Yorker with family still living there, it makes me sick whenever I visit and see the rotten things going on throughout the whole city and the same complaints in Voicer letters and nothing ever gets done to correct them. Get rid of those people running New York City. P.S.: Many New Yorkers say what I keep writing in my letters but are too afraid to say anything or even write here. Marty Goodman
Complications
Manhattan: Really, “the Chinese territory of Taiwan”? (“Bug lands in U.S.” Jan. 22). I bet you most Taiwanese would disagree. It seems odd to include such a politically contestable statement in an article that has nothing to do with Chinese and Taiwanese politics. Did one of your advertisers insist that Taiwan always be referred to as such? Serge Zenisek
Not so mayoral
Monroe, N.J.: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams wants to be mayor and is blaming New York’s woes on people coming here from Ohio and Iowa. I didn’t know there was such an influx of Midwesterners coming here. He says the city is for people that were here already. Can he be any more racist? He should go back under the rock he came out from. John Ray
Triple threat
Massapequa, L.I.: Trump rolls back regulations on clean air, clean water, environment: Dirty air, dirty water, dirty politics. Paul Pepe
Curriculum vitae
New City, N.Y.: Trump supporters may think our president is keeping this country safe. I wish I could feel so joyously ignorant. He pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal. He gives security clearances to people who may be a threat to our national security. The turnover of the heads of the Department of Defense and number of acting Cabinet heads is troubling to say the least. He sold nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. He pulled out of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which is a gift to Russia. He has an affinity for authoritarian leaders and wants to propel his relationship with them by selling off the U.S. bit by bit. His bigotry and racism have fueled hate, discourse, and violence inside the country. He denies climate change. He slurs his words, rambles incoherently and can’t utter a long sentence. He doesn’t know geography, history, the Constitution. He puts his own interests before the interest of our country. I could list more but I’m hoping you get the point. So I ask, how does one feel safer with this man in office? Christine Ierardi
Permalancer
Redondo Beach, Calif.: Rudy Giuliani is a foreign policy freelancer. John Chevedden
Group think
Jamaica: To Voicer Curtis E. Izen: Thank you for your thinking in reference to Derek Jeter not being a unanimous inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I thought that I was alone with my thinking. Michelle M. Golphin
Unanimous vote
Hollis: I do not understand the obsession with the idea that Derek Jeter should have received 100% of the votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame. I have been a Yankee fan since I came to New York City a very long time ago. He was not flawless. Yes, he played his heart out in every game. Mariano deserved the 100%. He kept hitters guessing with each pitch he made. As a fan, I was guessing. The ball came to Derek, I knew he would deliver. Do not create an issue where there is none. Cecil Ronald
Revolving door
Brooklyn: It’s a strange coincidence that Andy Byford resigned as the head of New York City Transit shortly after 300 subway cars were taken out of service, new pay-as-you-go machines weren’t working, there was an increase in subway crime even though the numbers don’t reflect it, and there was a return of graffiti to the subway cars. Supposedly service has gotten better under Byford, but this is subject to popular opinion and not fake numbers. We are spending billions on subway cars that are defective. What a joke. Let’s get someone in charge who knows what he is doing. Steve Yanowsky
Bye-Byford
Staten Island: So, Gov. Doofus strikes again. We finally get a man who has a clue about fixing a decrepit transit system and the egomaniac can’t handle it and forces him out. Hey, geniuses of New York City, make sure you reelect the real Fredo. Thomas Fraumeni Jr.
Color of crime
Brooklyn: Voicer Vanessa Enger is missing the point, intentionally I’d wager. The attorney general of New York is investigating the NYPD to see why more minorities are being charged with fare evasion. We are not talking about the FBI or national statistics. If either Letitia James or you believe that the NYPD ignores or gives free passes to white people who sneak onto the train or buses, then you are naive. Keep an eye on the news and read the papers. Whenever you see or hear that a senior citizen was randomly attacked, or a blind woman had her money snatched from her hand and that there are groups of people dumping water on the police and garbage on their cars, look at the surveillance photos. Maybe there’s a reason why more minorities attract police attention. Leighton Perkins
