Committee Report - Youth - 4-18-12 — File 192970

April 18, 2012 Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 4/26/2012 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present Bruce M. Desmond Vice Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Absent Nancy Bacci Youth Services Present Corey Mashburn Office of Prevention Present Jerry Morales Teen Empowerment Present Dan McLauglin Present Superintendent of Recreation, James Halloran, was unable to attend this meeting due to a family matter. 192727 - That this Board supports H-3838, An Act Providing Housing and Support Services for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.: This bill, which has the support of the BOA, would assist unaccompanied homeless youth and establish a statewide commission to improve services for those youths. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED  Update: Summer Jobs Information Ms. Bacci updated the committee on the city's summer jobs program. Applications are available and due back by April 30th. Interviews will take place at the beginning of May and orientation will be held at the end of June. Employment will commence after July 4th and run for 6 weeks. The minimum age for participation in the program is 16. Last year, 140 youths were employed through a collaboration between the city and private businesses  Update: Somerville Boxing Club Alderman Desmond reported that there are over 300 youths involved in activities at the Boxing Club. Tutoring is available to youths desiring to take advantage of this service. Not all the youths who attend the club are involved in boxing, but of the 30 who do participate in the sport of boxing, 2 participated in a Golden Gloves event and 3 traveled to Colorado for the Nationals. Home Depot provided the city with a $7,000 grant to update the facility and the club holds various events as a means to raise funds to support the club's programming.

Committee Meeting April 18, 2012 Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 4/26/2012  Update: Spring/Summer Recreation Programs Ms. Bacci told the members that camps will be starting at the West Somerville Neighborhood School and registration may be done on-line through the city's website.  Update: Ground Work Somerville No information provided.  Update: Teen Empowerment Mr. Morales spoke about the upcoming 6th Annual Peace Conference and said that this year's event will focus on bullying and relationships. So far, ticket sales for the event have been impressive and attempts have been made to contact youths who have relocated out of Somerville for their continued participation.  Update: Somerville Cares about Prevention Mr. Mashburn reported that the results of the survey recently completed at the high school is due in July and that the information would be provided to the School Department for use in preventing and dealing with possible substance use. The city received a $25,000 community health grant which will be used for an instructional camp and other programs. An application has been submitted for an additional $50,000 grant which would be used to develop a model program whereby parents would be able to discuss drug use by their children and attempt to find solutions to the problem. On Tuesday, April 24th, a discussion was held regarding youth's perception of marijuana use and common misconceptions about the effects of this and other drugs. In line with events such as this, Somerville is applying for an award to be recognized as the city with the best prevention programs in the country. Applications are due by June 18th and the committee will be informed of the outcome.  Update: Health Department Unused prescription drugs may be dropped off at the Police station on Saturday, April 28th. The annual National Night Out will be on August 7th.