Committee Report - Youth - 11-16-11 — File 192253

November 16, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 11/20/2011 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 Mark Niedergang School Committeeman Ward 5 Present James Halloran Sipt. Recreation and Youth Dept. Present Nancy Bacci Youth and Volunteer Services Coordinator Present Corey Mashburn SCAP Present Emily Parrott Teen Empowerment Present Somerville Youth Development and Boxing Club Ms. Bacci spoke about an intergenerational partnership between the Youth Department and the Council on Aging, whereby the Youth Department will provide snow shoveling services to the city's senior citizens. Chairman Connolly asked that the information on the youths involved be provided to the School Committee. The recent open house of the Boxing Club had over 100 attendees. Currently, there are 121 youths involved in various programs at the club. Among the programs offered are homework assistance/tutoring, (which is being provided by Tufts students), and education on substance abuse - including a young person's AA for those dealing with substance abuse. Recreation Fall/Winter Programming Mr. Halloran told the committee that the flag football season is underway and that the Recreation Department will be offering various sporting activities for middle school children. The new ice rink, suitable for practice sessions, should be operational by February, thereby freeing up ice time at the main rink. The new rink is expected to remain open until April. SCAP Programming Updates, Funding and Events Mr. Mashburn spoke about a $25,000 grant that will be used to fund various campaigns. The semi-annual compliance checks were recently conducted and only one of the 27 establishments checked was found in violation of selling to a minor. SCAP and the Health Department presented a workshop at the Public Saftey Building on November 17th to educate the public on the dangers of opioids and their use.

Committee Meeting November 16, 2011 Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 11/20/2011 Teen Empowerment Program Information Emily Parrott spoke about Teen Empowerment's Open Mic and movie nights. TE is also working with other organizations to stop the resurgence of gangs. Groundwork Somerville Fall Updates Groundwork Somerville is focusing its efforts on cleaning and sprucing up a city owned lot on South Street. Alderman Desmond suggested that the coordinators of this effort contact The Home Depot to ask for their assistance with the project. A motion by Aldermen Sullivan, Desmond and Connolly supporting Groundwork Somerville's use of the city controlled lot at 100 South Street for Green Team endeavors, was approved.