By Crystal Donaldson
NORMAL – Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti visited Youth Build of McLean County this afternoon to discuss the importance of vocational training and how the state can benefit from investing in more similar resources.
Sanguinetti accredits her life’s success to quality mentorship.
“For me, it was my mom forcing me to stay at home and play that piano so that I could stay off the streets,” said Sanguinetti. “You know, its programs like this that keep kids from making the wrong decisions. My mom kept me from making the wrong decisions, not that I was perfect, but we need to have that for everyone here in Illinois.”
On a tour of the campus Executive Director of Youth Build, Tracey Polson, said the students benefit from a nontraditional learning environment which includes smaller class sizes and individualized programming.
“If you ask our students what their favorite thing about Youth Build is they would say it’s because were like a family,” said Polson. We also provide that unconditional love and that strong foundation that you always have a place to come back to if you need help. We do what ever it takes to help young people be successful.”
Sanguinetti also expressed her concern for the future of vocational programs and youth development if democratic candidate for governor, JB Pritzker, won the office.
“Law enforcement courts will tell you firsthand that they believe marijuana to be a gateway drug and he simply wants to freely legalize that. JB Pritzker causes so much alarm in so many ways in a state where we need to grow out of our problems, not tax out of our problems,” Sanguinetti finished.
Meanwhile, Governor Bruce Rauner is in Germany learning about its vocational training and apprenticeship models.
Sanguinetti says she hopes she and the governor can bring more apprenticeship programs to Illinois soon.
Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected]
