Newburgh's 'Guardian Angel' Showcased on CBS News Segment

CBS News ran a national story about the man who's working to protect young boys growing up in the "Murder Capital of New York."

For those of us in the area, we know how dangerous the streets of Newburgh can be. Gangs, violent crime and drugs are rampant. Since the police and FBI started working together things have gotten better, but Newburgh still has a long way to go. It's also one of the poorest cities in the country.

CBS News shared the story of Rev. Mark Connell. The 55-year-old Catholic priest came to work at at Mount Saint Mary College in 1998. During his stay, he witnessed the poverty and crime in Newburgh and decided that he had to do something to protect the youngest members of the community who were being raised in fear.

In 2006 Connell founded the San Miguel Academy. It's mission was to offer low-cost education to boys growing up in the poor and violent streets of Newburgh. School runs 11 months out of the year for six days a week. After school activities and programs let's children stay at the school until after 5pm.

Connell's vision was to keep these young children away from the dangers of the street by keeping them in classes as much as possible. Families pay only $40a year in activity fees. The rest is picked up by donations from individuals, corporations, and other charities.

The 65 students in grades 5 through 8 also receive financial help in getting into a better high school and out of Newburgh.

One former student, who is now the first person in his family to be attending college is extremely grateful for the opportunities afforded to him by Rev. Mark Connell and San Miguel. He tells CBS News: