May 2012 Education Gap FROM PAGE 4


results on standardized tests of language and mathematics.


Among Hispanics, data from the


Universal Pre-K program in Oklahoma conducted during the early 2000s by the Center for Research on Children in the United States (CROCUS) at Georgetown University, indicates that Latino preschoolers benefited the most from quality preschool. While all students showed improvements in letter and word recognition (+52%), spelling (+27%) and mathematical problems (+21), the progress among Latino children was even higher, at +79%, + 39 and + 54%, respectively.


Silvia de la Rosa, a mother of two


girls, aged 3 and 1 year, isn’t surprised by these findings. “For me it is just common sense. If there were more studies, there would be more evidence showing that the academic success of disadvantaged children starts in preschool.”


However, this resident of Pacoima


— one of the poorest districts in the San Fernando Valley — fears her daughters


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


will be among the 87% of California’s low-income children without access to quality early education. The $517 million in cuts to child development services that Governor Jerry Brown outlined in his budget proposal, issued in January, could eliminate access for another 62,000 children.


De la Rosa is actively looking for


a place where her eldest daughter can attend preschool this coming fall, but so far she has not found any openings.


“I can’t afford a private preschool,


and the only one I have found that’s free is far away from home,” says De la Rosa. As a single mom with no driving license, she finds it very challenging to travel everyday by bus with two young children.


For now, she occasionally uses the


services of a neighbor who charges her $30 per day, when De la Rosa gets work cleaning residential homes.


“She is a very nice lady, and loves


my daughters. But, what can she teach them, when she didn’t have the chance to finish elementary school herself?” says De la Rosa, convinced that the achievement gap begins long before low-income children start school.


Your Opinion Matters


The Virginia Beach City Council Session of 4/24


BY ANDREW JACKSON First, let me thank those that


answered the call and attended the Council meeting on Tuesday April 24, 2012. While not everyone actually spoke, your presence spoke volumes to members of Council and to the media that was present. However, for those that did speak, I would just say to you, WELL DONE!!!


As you know, the resolution for


single district voting, put forth by Councilmen Moss and DeSteph, did not pass but many of us expected that outcome, so there was no surprise. Single District voting would allow quality, accessibility, and campaign affordability. More importantly, it would provide ACCOUNTABILITY of elected officials. It would provide for campaigns of more substance and hold those accountable who would prefer extravagant gazebos rather than salaries for teachers. It raises the question of why would any Council person be afraid of accountability. That said, this action by those on Council who voted this down, has showed their contempt for the citizens and has raised the level of our determination to move forward with the paper petition that is being distributed to collect 15,000 signatures of citizens to move the Circuit Court to order it on the ballot as a REFERENDUM.


Some of you know that since


December I have been working to bring all the political entities together. The fact is that while there are areas that we do not agree, there are those that are beneficial to all and where we can agree. This is primarily true when it comes to local issues that affect us as a community.


Because so many people turned out


and the numbers showed unity across social, cultural, and political lines, it had a definite effect. One person, I’m assuming was so distressed, singled me


out as having lost during my bid for a seat on Council. Oh well, it just showed his lack of intelligence in defining winning and losing. He just doesn’t understand that not in time, place, or circumstance, but rather within the person himself lies success. Many, many years ago, I learned from my Mother that self-reliance is the greatest gift given to a child. Self-reliance is like a flashlight that no matter how dark it gets, it will help a person find their way. My experience of being a candidate provided me with the opportunity to meet many people, gain a better understanding of the system, the various personalities and entities. It added to what I already knew about this city and the people. It was a great learning experience and I considered it a plus anytime learning takes place. I’m using that experience to advocate for the community and I will quote Norman MacEwam: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Campaigning and all that it encompasses has given me the tools to empower myself to accept nothing but the best for my community. To be a responsible leader that can mentor others and accept new challenges that make my community and myself stronger.


I say the above to build a fire in


you that says we can and will put forth whatever work is necessary to collect signatures and have the referendum on the November ballot.


In a separate communication, I am


calling together all the various political entities to work this opportunity that is beneficial to all of us and those we represent. You will be hearing more from your individual leadership on the strategy to accomplish our goal of 15,000 signatures. Our target day is mid-June.


Andrew Jackson can be contacted by phone at (757) 638-8722, or via email at arjackso@msn.com.


Have an opinion on a topic affecting you or your community? Send a letter to the editor: editor@hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Perfect Fit FROM PAGE 1


helped athletes who are injured through sports overuse, and have products which aid in injury prevention and higher sports pe r formanc e . The


Foot


Solutions staff is accredited and specially trained to ensure the proper shoe fit for diabetics. “We are confident that we can improve the quality of comfort for any


The Hampton Roads Messenger


5


Foot Solutions employees help Hampton Roads residents select health improvement shoes in their Yorktown Foot Solutions store.


person who visits,” Earl declares. To those that believe all health


improvement shoes are unfashionable, Foot Solutions says, think again. “The industry has come a long way,” says Earl. “People are pleasantly surprised with the way our shoes look. Sometimes we’ve had clients compromise for greater comfort. For the clients who do not like the ways our shoes look, we offer over the counter and custom inserts to relieve foot discomfort. The best results come from the combination of shoes, socks, and inserts.”


Foot Solutions has a lot to say


about what sets them apart from similar companies, chalking it all up to the “In Store Experience.” “Our staff is attentive and sensitive to the needs of our clients,” Earl continues. “We pride ourselves on top notch customer service. Everyone’s feet are different, yet most shoes are made the same. Our clients appreciate the time, effort and information we offer at Foot Solutions.” The store has two Pedorthists (foot and shoe experts) on staff available to create custom modifications on all of their products even six months after a purchase.


The Milligans consider that the


most rewarding part of owning their franchise is the great feedback they receive from a client who feels relief and comes back, or tells a friend. Then they know they have made a real difference in that person’s quality of life. “Honestly, the most rewarding times are when a client did not experience great relief initially,” Earl admits. “But after a modification visit, they feel the difference and are amazed that a slight change in the shoe or insert made such a big difference.”


The Milligans’ future plans for the


business are centered around several philanthropic endeavors with plans to continue to support local charity runs and sporting events with sponsorships.


Currently, Foot Solutions is partnering with the City of Newport News to promote Quick Start Toddlers Tennis. “Earl is a tennis fanatic and loves to work with kids.” Yuri shares. “He invites every kid from age three to eight to join the program. He believes there are many life and spiritual lessons to be acquired in sports, especially tennis.”


Earl and Yuri have been married


for seven and a half years and have two children, Zaria, age five and Taj, age three. When asked what it is like working with her husband in the business, Yuri says, “It’s awesome because we use our strengths to support each other’s weaknesses.” The Milligans offer great advice to anyone thinking of starting a business. “Speak, write and plan it into existence,” Yuri encourages. “There are no ceilings on what you can accomplish with faith, hard work and great planning.”


The Milligans are deeply rooted in


the community and have attended Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton for over a decade. Earl hosts a weekly basketball ministry at a local church to help young men who are searching for themselves. The couple supports an organization called Soles for Souls by donating, currently, 3000+ shoes to those in need. “When natural disasters occur, this organization makes sure they are distributing shoes to people who have lost everything,” Yuri states. “We support the local Food Bank through our church. We accept both shoes and Food Bank donations at the store.”


Yuri is originally from St. Croix,


US Virgin Islands, and is a Hampton University graduate. She has lived in Hampton Roads for over 19 years. Earl was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Earl, who is a US Navy Persian Gulf War veteran, was stationed in Hampton Roads in 1991 and has lived here since. He attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University, studying business at both schools.


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