Committee Report - Youth - 9-20-11 — File 192004

September 20, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 9/20/2011 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 William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Nancy Bacci Youth and Volunteer Services Coordinator Present Corey Mashburn Teen Empowerment Present Marlon Ramdehal Teen Empowerment Present • Youth Department Updates Ms. Bacci told the members that the schedule of fall activities will be going out in the next couple of weeks and that most programming will be the same for both fall and winter. Zumba classes, intramurals, flag football and indoor soccer are already underway. • Boxing Club This club will be handled by the Mayor's Office and will have a soft opening in October. The boxing club will be in the basement of the Edgerly School and has one ring completed with a second one almost ready. The club will also house after school groups for the city's youths and Teen Empowerment will provide tutoring, resume writing and counseling at the facility. The City and the Probation Department will collaborate with the boxing club to provide a potential outlet for individuals on probation to perform community service and to participate in a constructive way with the club. • Summer Jobs The summer jobs budget, funded by the City and the private sector, increased by 5% and provided summer jobs for 134 youths. • Volunteer Projects Ms. Bacci told the members that there is a need for volunteers and anyone eighteen years old or older is welcome to apply. Upon the sucessful completion of background and CORI checks, volunteers will be assigned to various community projects around the city. The Youth Program

Committee Meeting September 20, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 9/20/2011 is planning to develop Adopt-a-Spot areas in Somerville where the city's youths and volunteers would be responsible for shoveling snow. • Clinical Youth Specialist – Health Department Office of Prevention Mr. Mashburn said that a Youth Specialist has been hired to work with at-risk students and added that a Teen Empowerment survey will be released in late October that will provide statistics on drug usage among the youth population. • Committee on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health A discussion was held at the Somerville Public Library on September 17th, dealing with Suicide Prevention. The following related events have been scheduled, as noted: Sept 27th 12:30 - 1:30 PM No Depression is not a natural part of Aging - This workshop is focused on Seniors and will discuss myths about aging and mental health; warning signs; interventions and coping strategies. Workshop will be held at the Council on Aging, Holland St. Center. To register contact the Council on Aging at [phone removed] ext. 2300. Ask about eligibility for lunch for those 60+ or disabled. November 5th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM and November 7th & 9th, 6:00 - 9:00 PM - Mental Health First Aid - Participants learn a five-step action plan to assess a situation, implement interventions and secure appropriate care for the person experiencing a crisis. December 1st 7:00 - 8:30 PM “In Her Wake” - Author Nancy Rappaport will read passages from her book and share perspectives on loosing a loved one to suicide. • Youth Network and Teen Empowerment discussionStatement Mr. Ramdehal told the committee that fifteen youths were hired by Teen Empowerment from June 15th through August 26th. During the summer months, three international groups were hosted, enabling the participants in the program to build relationships while sharing cultural issues and best practices. Teen Empowerment's success has come from its strategy of strengthening collaboration throughout the city, such as having several of the city's new Police recruits coming to visit the center to speak with the youths and share information. • Upcoming Events On October 26th at 6:00 PM, there will be a student health survey game show at the High School auditorium sponsored by Somerville Cares About Prevention. This interactive event will focus on the results of a health survey taken by Somerville's middle school students. The Recreation

Committee Meeting September 20, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 9/20/2011 Department's Haunted House will be held on October 28th, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The 2012 Peace Conference will be held on April 28th. • General Information Mr. Mashburn addressed issues involving underage drinking on the Tufts campus and stated that there is one establishment that regularly delivers liquor to underage individuals on the campus. Chairman Connolly asked that the committee be kept apprised of the situation.