Long Road Ends with Degree, Satisfaction

WHITESBORO – “It’s been a long road,” said Daniel Auld with a smile of satisfaction. He knew, as only one can who has been down various roads, that he had chosen the path to success.
The Whitesboro resident received his Bachelor of Arts degree in May from Thomas Edison State College in Social Science. It took two and a half years to get that diploma. Previously, Auld was awarded an Associate in Arts degree from Atlantic Cape Community College, in Social Work.
While some might say, “That’s nice,” Auld, 48, is becoming widely known throughout the community for his mentoring of youth at Middle Township Recreation Department, as well as his work at Cape Counseling.
“I was mentoring the kids in general on life,” said Auld. “Coming back from my past history, where I made a lot of bad choices and went where no kids should want to go, I have continued my life focus to show that, even though I made bad choices you do not have to continue to do that. You can rewrite your history.”
Auld spoke from experience of life as a gang member and convict who was changed when a Superior Court judge refused to grant his wish and returned him to prison. Once shot and left for dead on the road, Auld realized God had spared his life for a reason, and that was why he decided to alter his lifestyle.
The youth Auld mentors know he speaks from experience, and that he cares deeply for them, so that they do not replicate his mistakes.
It took many years for Auld to come to the realization why he did what he did.
“I used to be afraid of the boogey man. As I grew up every shadow in the room scared me. It no longer scares me. Later, the boogie man, instead of shadows, became bad choices. Once I understood how to defeat the boogey man by making good choices, my life changed,” he said.
“I try to walk in the light and present that light to the youth of the community,” he added.
He can shine his light now, because an education teacher at the county correctional center “Allowed me to believe in myself. She told me I could achieve on an educational level,” he continued.
“I promised her that when I got out, I would continue my education,” Auld said.
His moment to shine came when, as a featured graduation speaker at the Cape May County Technical School for those receiving their GED certificate, his address touched Waddell and her daughter.
“I continue to be a light to those who dropped out of school, so they could be encouraged, and tell them that the GED is not the last thing. We can continue to be productive in our communities,” he said.
“I encourage anyone seeking higher education not to give up, but to believe in them. With hard work and dedication they can achieve,” he continued.
One of the upcoming community events with which Auld is involved, and which he hopes many other community members will also join, is a Round Robin that will take place at Martin Luther King Community Center in Aug. 3 with a Community Day.
About 50 teens from North Carolina will spend time here with local families for basketball, meeting local people, and mentoring. Among those who plan to attend is Malcolm Reed, a Middle Township High School graduate, who has played professional basketball overseas, and who has also played with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Auld termed him “A creative, energetic young man with a passion for the youths here in the community where he grew up.”
“We want to get other people in the community involved, the adults, to understand this is a beautiful thing needed for the youth of the community. It will show adults care about them, and that it does not matter what religion or faith or political party you come from, you can come out and support the community. Be a part of your community, first, and put all the differences aside,” said Auld.
Auld hopes there are enough supporters on that day to possibly make possible a one-day pass to Morey’s Pier on the Wildwood Boardwalk.
Auld said one of the earliest fruits of his college degree was a boost in salary at Cape Counseling.
Still, he offered himself to assist with counseling, while careful to restate he is not a therapist.
“I would be more than willing to offer time and education as well as my life experience to enrich the lives of young people not only in Whitesboro but through any part of the township, in schools, churches, the recreation department, wherever my gift and knowledge can be used. As a Christian, I offer my love of God to my community, and especially to the youth of the community,” said Auld.
Auld knows many youths face problems of housing, which also troubles him.
“We have a housing issue in Cape May County. More teenage kids are coming out of college back home because they cannot afford a single, one-bedroom apartment for $825-$850 a month. It is almost impossible for this person to get something like that.
“We have this dilemma, young people returning and nothing to return to. We as a community, and political parties, must figure ways to enrich their lives so they won’t continue to run with negative groups and do things that will be detrimental to their health.
“Middle Township stepped up and is doing what they can to resolve the issue, but there are a lot of negative comments. I don’t call this affordable housing, I call it workforce housing.”
By that, Auld said the housing Middle Township will build will create a place where the residents will be able to demand that the units be drug free, and that those who flaunt the law will not be welcome.
“I believe our humanity says everybody deserves to live in a decent place,” said Auld. “They do not have to allow gangs or drugs to overrun their houses.”
“The people living there, not the police or government, but the people living there should take control and say to the drug dealers, ‘Not here!’ Set guidelines, and if you are caught with rugs or get a conviction, you are out.”
“America has the banner of being free throughout the world, yet we live in fear of having other people having the same accommodation as us in this very county. Fear cannot dictate how we act as human beings. I believe me must focus on the good.”
Auld said he has been “blessed to see young people with so much talent. They have a lot to say, and we, unfortunately, are missing a golden opportunity to empower them by encouraging them and recognizing their gifts,” Auld said.
“When we, as adults, understand that kids are part of our community, we have to pass the reigns. We then can grow and watch our flowers grow because our children are our flowers,” said Auld.
“We as a community have to cut out the weeds,” he added.
Politics, prejudice and fear have a “most shackling effect. We are growing up afraid of our young people. We must embrace, teach and empower them to understand they are our focal point. We will have a richer community, and we will see a lot of changes: fewer kids addicted to alcohol and drugs and walking down the street with their pants sagging,” he said.
“We can make a difference. We have to make a difference in ourselves. Stop fear. Start to give power out, empowering our young people. That is what my choice is about today, empowering through sports, education life experience and about their gifts,” he concluded.