Mark A. Braithwaite, a Salt Lake businessman, has been named chairman of the Urban Emphasis program in the Crossroads District of the Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Douglas G. Brewer, business manager for Utah Construction & Development Inc., is the district commissioner over the program.The two new officers succeed Dan Maldonado, who was chairman, and Earl Dowdle, who served as district commissioner.
Urban Emphasis was founded four years ago to serve inner-city youths at risk of gang affiliation, violence, drugs and other criminal activity.
More than 2,000 young people have been involved in the program during the four years, with about 450 of that number presently enrolled, according to Armando Diaz, Urban Emphasis director for the council's Crossroads District.
The Urban Emphasis program has been organized to benefit youths without the benefit of traditional Scouting programs in the Salt Lake area. Membership ranges from four youths at Clayton Intermediate to 60 at Franklin Elementary School in the Salt Lake School District.
Other organizations, schools and centers where the program is organized: Vietnamese Youth Buddhist Association, Salt Lake Police Law Enforcement Explorer Post, Capitol West and Popular Grove Boys and Girls Clubs, Travelers Aid Society Family Shelter, Mexican Civic Center, Bryant and Northwest Intermediate Schools, Neighborhood House and Washington, Jackson, Bennion, Lincoln, Hillsdale, Meadowlark and Edison Elementary Schools.
In most Scouting units, parents and others accept Scouting leadership opportunities. But this is often not the case among single parents, minority populations and ethnic groups struggling with financial and other problems, Diaz said.
Single parents or those in two-parent, low-income families are often struggling to provide for their children. Parents may be working two or more jobs to make ends meet. They may have several small children at home or may be unfamiliar with the concept of volunteering or how to serve. They may fear holding leadership positions because of a lack of experience, Diaz said.
"We can no longer ignore the needs of such individuals or families. We can pay now or face the social and other costs later," he added.
Individuals willing to serve as Scouting leaders should contact Diaz at the Scout Service Center, 582-3663, Ext. 229.