CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Westside High School senior Jason Allen hopes to earn a higher education Associates Degree at about the same time he earns his high school diploma next spring. He said his life didn’t start out with such high aspirations.
Allen was one of the speakers Wednesday at the state capitol as part of the ‘Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium.’ He addressed lawmakers about the devastating impact drugs and poverty can have on a life.
He said he lived with drug-addicted parents until he was three and then his grandparents gained custody at age four. His father overdosed when he was seven. His grandfather died and he began living with his mother and her boyfriend and his family in a small mobile home that at times had 10 people living under one roof.
“Through all of this I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA in high school. At the age of 16 I was moved into the foster care system. Fortunately, I was lucky that some community members cared enough to see that I could stay in Wyoming County. I am extremely grateful for this and realize for too many kids these opportunities are not provided,” Allen said.
He said none of his accomplishments would be possible without those who have encouraged him especially when “things were real low.”
Allen told lawmakers the welfare system has been abused.
“Men and women who want to work don’t qualify for enough assistance to take care of their families and yet my mother and her boyfriend don’t work and both receive benefits,” he said.
Allen said he believes things can change in Wyoming and other counties.
“If we want to change our area we need to learn how to reach people, find some common ground,” Allen said. “There’s no respect between a rich man saying to a poor man, ‘get a job’ when he has no opportunity.”
The Our Children, Our Future Policy Symposium wrapped up three days of meetings Wednesday. The group offered 22 different proposals to legislators on issues ranging from curbing child sex abuse to addressing meth usage to expanding the availability of farmers’ markets.
Jason Allen asked lawmakers to remember him.
“I have broken away from the trend but many do not. Many children are still suffering in foster homes. We have wonderful people and organizations that are out in our communities that are trying but need to do so much more,” he said. “As our elected leaders my hope is that you will do everything in your power to make sure every West Virginia child whether born into addiction or poverty has the opportunity to find their true potential and ability. I know that working together we can make the state better for all of the children.”