Committee Report - Youth - 6-1-11 — File 191586

June 1, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 6/7/2011 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M Connolly Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Vice Chair Present Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Nancy Bacci Youth Programming Coordinator Present Corey Mashburn SCAP Present James Halloran Supt., Recreation and Youth Present Stan Pollack Teen Empowerment Present • Summer Job programs and activities Ms. Bacci spoke about the summer jobs program for the city’s youth, informing the members that the program’s budget was level funded. Target, K Mart, Home Depot and Gentle Giant will be offering employment to teens as part of this program. The employment period will run from July 6th through August 12th. The program was promoted through Teen Empowerment and more than 200 employment applications were received. • SCAP annual meeting and activities Mr. Mashburn reported on the annual meeting of Somerville Cares About Prevention and informed the members that SCAP would be hosting a conference on substance abuse issues on June 8th at the Cross Street Center. This year’s National Night Out is scheduled for August 2nd at Foss Park, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Numerous activities and demonstrations have been planned for this event. Alderman Connolly's motion to recognize the work of the youth network and acknowledge all of the good work undertaken for the youth of Somerville, was approved. • Teen Empowerment activites, including the April Peace Conference Mr. Pollack and Merlinda Pettit reported on the recent Peace Conference, which was attended by more than 500 people, and dealt with issues concerning drugs, sexuality and dangerous situations. Teen Empowerment will be hiring city youths, aged 14 to 21, to work 15 to 20 per week. Preference for the positions will be given to those youths considered to be at risk. Mr. Pollack stated that Teen Empowerment is looking forward to establishing a relationship with the

Committee Meeting June 1, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 6/7/2011 city’s Recreation and Youth Department. Teen participants recently attended a rally at the State House and met with members of Somerville’s delegation to lobby for funding for jobs for youths. Chairman Connolly asked that a list of the participating organizations be provided to the committee. Chairman Connolly’s motion that the Administration utilize the services of SomerStat and the Recreation and Youth Department to work with Teen Empowerment to improve services for youths at risk, was approved. Alderman Sullivan’s motion that the city’s state delegation advocate for additional state funding for summer jobs for youths, was approved. • Recreation Department Summer programs Mr. Halloran informed the members that the Recreation Department has expanded programming this year and noted that the skating rink would be open during the summer months. The Mystic boat house will also be open for residents wishing to kayak.