®!* ^ortlanh (Obstruer Career& E ducation
Page 8
March 12. 2014
S P E C IA L E D IT IO N
New Prices
Effective
May 1,2010
Martin
Cleaning
Service
DURING * WAR
A fter a war
Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaning
Residential &
Commercial Services
Minimum Service CH G
$45.00
A s m a ll d is ta n c e /tr a v e l c h a rg e
m a y b e a p p lie d
CARPET CLEANING
2 Cleaning Areas or
more $30.00 Each Area
Pre-Spray Traffic Areas
(Includes: 1 sm all H allw ay)
1 Cleaning Area (only)
$40.00
Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area
(Hallway Extra)
Stairs (12-16 stairs - With
Other Services)-. $25.00
Area/Oriental Rugs:
$25.00Minimum
Area/Oriental Rugs (Wooly.
$40.00Minimum
Heavily Soiled Area:
Additional $10.00 each area
(Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying)
U PH O LSTERY
C LEAN IN G
Sofa: $69.00
Loveseat: $49.00
Sectional: $109 - $139
Chair or Recliner:
$25 - $49
Throw Pillows (With
Other Services)'. $5.00
%
AD D ITIO N AL
SE R V IC E S
• Area & Oriental Rug
Cleaning
• Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning
• Deodorizing & Pet
Odor Treatment
• Spot & Stain
Removal Service
• Scotchguard Protection
• Minor Water Damage
Services
SEE CURRENT FLYER
FOR ADDITIONAL
PRICES & SERVICES
Call for Appointment
(503) 281-3949
My Brother’s Keeper Initiative Just a Start
Take my story
as an
example
by
J udge
M athis
I, along with my
three brothers was raised by a
single mother who worked mul
tiple jobs and sacrificed a tremen
dous amount for us. Despite all of
her love and hard work, I did not
escape the pitfalls that commonly
plague young boys growing up in
low-income and single parent
households.
I was arrested multiple times
until a Michigan judge gave me
an ultimatum to either turn my
life around and get my educa
tion or serve a long term prison
sentence. The goodwill sentenc
ing of that judge allowed me to
change for the better and over
come seemingly insurmountable
odds that my friends I faced
growing up.
I was trapped in a cycle of self
destructive behavior. It’s the same
cycle that far too many of our
minority brothers are stuck in
today. African-American males,
Take my story as an example.
and more recently, Latino- Ameri- If the judge that sentenced me
I can males are falling behind their had not given me a second
American colleagues.
chance, it’s highly likely I might
The statistics are shocking. still be locked up at an expense
In 2008, Latino and African- o f $40,000 per year to the
Americans accounted for over American taxpayer. On the con
58 percent o f our natio n ’s trary, I was able to benefit from
prisons population, despite federal investment in my future
only being 25 percent of the through affirmative action pro
American population.
grams and federal student loans
The important question we to get my college degree.
have to answer is how can we
Through taxes and other ef
break the cycle of negative out forts, I believe I have more than
com es fo r m in o rity m ales? paid back the government’s in
U n d e rp e rfo rm in g sc h o o ls, vestment in me. I was able to
crime infested neighborhoods, • break out of the cycle of negative
and unprepared parents have outcomes for young boys like
combined to become a recipe myself. We must prioritize our
for disaster in the lives of young young boys and figure out why
men of color.
they are failing and what changes
There is a moral imperative we can make to turn this trend
to equal the playing field for around.
minority males, but it also makes
My Brother’s Keeper repre
economic sense for the long sents a crucial commitment to
term health of our nation to this turnaround effort. Private
uplift young boys of color. If foundations and philanthropists
we invest in educating our have made more than a $300
young men instead of locking million dollar investment to help
them up, or allowing them to young minority males close the
become trapped in counterpro gap between them and their col
ductive lifestyles, I guarantee leagues.
we will see positive results.
This initial money will be in
vested in research proven meth
ods and programs in communi
ties that need it most. In addition,
President Obama has launched a
broader federal interagency task
force to examine federal policies
and regulations affecting minor
ity males, changing such policies
when needed.
These are important steps for
ward "that include a number of
grassroots activists, faith lead
ers, and philanthropists deter
mined to push the well-being of
America’s minority males to the
fore-front of our nation’s con
sciousness.
I believe this initiative is just a
start, but that with continued in
vestment we will see a long over
due turn around in outcomes for
young boys of color. I welcome
this new initiative and look for
ward to the positive change it will
accomplish.
Judge Mathis is known for his
advocacy for equal justice. His
inspirational life story of a street
youth who rose from jail to Judge
has provided hope to millions
who watch him on the award
winning TV court show Judge
Mathis.