These are troubling times in which to raise our kids. As a wife and mother of two sons, I have been told, as many other parents have, that our kids learn good character traits by watching others conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. As a former nurse, I am extremely sensitive towards the well being of others. Many other parents I have spoken with agree that all too often, our kids don't see or hear nearly as much about the compassionate, humane gestures that people do for others. Instead they are being exposed to images of hate, cruelty, violence, and plain vulgarity. Our kids are being bombarded with an unremitting assault of immoral messages from sources such as media, television, movies, the Internet, music, and peers. When combined with other social toxins, it becomes more challenging to raise kids. These sinister conduits in today's society jeopardize all efforts our kids have to conform into becoming responsible adults possessing high standards of morality.

With over twenty years of endless enthusiasm, Frank Faranda has become an instrumental asset for today's youth. As a devote Catholic and having a family of his own, Frank knows the importance of laying the ground work for today's youth in becoming the future forerunners in upholding the traditional values of what is right and good in the world. He is helping them in mastering the skills of become the "new-sprung" icons of marriage, family life, or the single life which holy lay people offer. Frank's genuine devotion has commanded much appreciation amongst the parents as well as "his kids". He has cultivated a straightforward and traditional position of behavior which has given his youth community a new and positive attitude towards society.

As the Director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Jude Catholic Church in Tequesta, Florida, Frank has guided today's youth into recognizing and understanding a more purpose filled life. Frank has conquered the daunting forces perpetuating malicious, frightening and obscured images. Leading by example, he has enhanced their moral growth by demonstrating the goodness that grows each time they put their needs aside to help others. Many times, for those less fortunate, he gathers his teens to help organize a field trip to a local hospital's pediatric unit whereby one and all break out in song delighting those who preside. His words and actions reflect the values that we want to teach our kids; honestly, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, to name a few.

Being an active participant in my church and having known and worked with Frank for many, many years, I have witnessed the significant progress that he has accomplished in the moral development of teens and more importantly, the long-term effects it has produced. We as parents have tremendous demands on our time, hemming us into a specific and confined circuit or track. They may seem as mountains, blocking out anything and everything that might exist beyond. Daily schedules, no matter how urgent or how bland, can become the ultimate reality to us. For the sake of our children's future, we need to continue to value the importance of Frank's ability in teaching our young people to grow and become caring, decent, human beings.