In today's government there are many obstacles in allowing the voices of youth to be heard. Several bills are now being pushed through the House of Representatives to limit funding for many youth organizations. The government is even criticizing the school lunch program. With all these blockades in the way, people may wonder who is there for the youth? Les Franklin has proven himself to be an advocate for the youth.

Franklin is the State Director for the Governor's Job Training Office, as well as a dynamic motivational speaker, and a father. Franklin's job is to receive federal funding and distribute this funding throughout the state to get people the job training and skills they need to find a productive job, and stay off welfare. This program reaches approximately 20,000 people across the state. "My goal for this program is to get them to be taxpayers versus tax consumers," Franklin explained.

Franklin grew up in Colorado Springs. When he was growing up there were about 25,000 people in the community; this did not stop the town from being close. "The whole community took an interest in children; there were a lot of recreation programs and Little League activities. Back then you didn't have to pay for tennis shoes or track shoes. There was generally a lot more interest from the entire community on what was happening around them," Franklin commented.

The rise in sexual activity worries Franklin. Aside from the risk of pregnancy, there is also the spread of AIDS. AIDS is the number one killer of youth in America followed by youth-to-youth violence. "There was a different environment when I was growing up. Sexual activity was there, but certainly not in middle school and elementary school like it is now; this has to stop," Franklin said.

Another problem facing today's youth is a feeling of hopelessness. This hopelessness comes form lack of opportunity. Franklin believes there are, however, ways to combat this circumstance. "More resources committed to youth activity and more community involvement from parents and other will help. Instead of decreasing programs we need to expand programs like these to provide the children with no alternatives an opportunity to experience things. We must also ensure that every child has an opportunity to do extracurricular activities no matter their age or background," said Franklin. "Youth need to be challenged and challenged in things that are interesting and they must have adult support."

Franklin's job description requires that he work with many youth, and many of them are young parents. Franklin stands clear on his view of ten pregnancy and calls it one of society's ills. "Children should have a chance to live out their lives as children before partaking of adult responsibility; when a child has a child, they can not continue being a child," Franklin said.

Franklin says society's ills can be attributed to the amount of exposure youth get from the media, television, and other sources -- exposure that isn't always in its best form. "When I was a youth you didn't see the amounts of sexual activity that you see in today's movies and television. Today, youth are being exposed to so much more, and its causing them to accept this type of behavior," Franklin commented.

Franklin has a major concern for the structure of the family. Too many children grow up in abusive situations, and are victims of domestic violence, incest, and a variety of other things; it is taking a tremendous toll in the lives of our youth. This is an epidemic that must be stopped if our youth are to be successful.

With so many young people turning to gangs and other sources for family, it is evident that parents' jobs are not quite done. "I see most of the problems of today's youth in the faces of our adults. You can no longer tell a child, 'Do as I say, not as I do.' So when adults come and ask me what's wrong with our kids, I tell them, 'look in the mirror,'" Franklin Said.

One of the leading causes of death among teens is suicide. Franklin knows first hand the toll a death of a loved one can take on the family. In 1990 Franklin's 16-year-old son, Shaka, took his own life. This was a big awakening for Franklin, and it is the reason he started the Shaka Franklin Foundation. "This made me realize as a single parent I didn't truly understand what my son was going through. I didn't understand the depression out there; this happens to many teens. The Shaka Franklin Foundation is aimed at saving children's lives," explained Franklin. "I try to help others by reliving my own pain."

There are many paths to take throughout your lifetime; some may lead to success, others may not. Franklin says the key to success is hard work. "In order to succeed you must be prepared to make a sacrifice, we need our great leaders and great thinkers to make that sacrifice," commented Franklin.

Franklin is dynamic and sincere with much to say on issues affecting youth. The simple advice he would give teens facing the real world is, "Never give up."