HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-19Dryden Youth Commission
Minutes, October 19, 2010
Present: JoEllen Bailey, Justin DiMatteo, Cynthia Waterman, Jeff Walkuski; CCE staff Linda
Schoffel, David Hall, Julie Newman; T. Dryden Rec. Andrew Pierce; CYS liaison Kris Bennett;
Heidi Marx & son Devon, Dryden Courier
Justin called the meeting to order: introductions were made. Heidi is a new reporter with Finger
Lakes Community News & is writing an article on the Youth Commission.
Updates: Rec. Dept. — Andrew shared updates from the rec. dept. (see handout). Winter
brochure will be distributed Oct. 26; the annual mother/son dance will be on Nov. 19. There are
some changes in flag football this year. Currently 210 Dryden youth participate in various rec.
programs; there are 27 volunteer coaches. We discussed the idea of having a joint meeting of the
youth and rec. commissions sometime in the new year.
Town Board: Cynthia and InShik went in Sept. to give an overview of the annual report. InShik
spoke in more detail about youth who participate to give additional flavor to the programs &
participants.
Youth Development Task force: On Oct. 2 they held their big summit with a presenter from the
Search Institute. Over 30 people representing a broad cross section of Dryden sectors attended.
The presenter talked about Search's youth development framework, 40 Developmental Assets,
that help youth thrive. There will be a follow up meeting on Nov. 1, 7 -8:30 PM at DES library
to gather insights, reflections, and suggestions and to develop a timeline for the next steps to
rally the community around youth development in Dryden. Kris shared a report she prepared
using Dryden data from the 2008 survey; she had previously sent it to Spt. Sandra Sherwood and
Justin to share with the task force, showing the positive impact on youth when parents, schools,
and communities support them.
Municipal Youth Services Celebration: I.nShik and JoEllen represented Dryden at this Sept. 29
event. The celebration recognized all the youth development supporters in the form of youth
commissions /community councils from across the county. DYC received an award in
recognition of their 20 years of commitment to area youth. JoEllen will bring it to the Nov.
meeting and we will then approach the Town about displaying it in Town Hall.
Minutes from September were approved unanimously.
Program Report. Cornell Cooperative Extension: Dave Hall: Took a group in the late summer
to the Adirondacks with Stop DWI funding support. Primitive Pursuits averages 20 youthlweek,
lots of new kids are involved. ln- school teen challenge groups are just starting. Enrollment in
upcoming programs is just about full including lots of new kids, some referred by guidance. (see
program report) Julie Newmarii: (see program report) RYS — 12 youth participate regularly in
outdoor cooking program; 15 came today to teen challenge each lunch period. OURS — has
enrollment of 39, highest ever! Requires 3 van loads to transport on M & P. Teen/tween
leadership council was recently awarded the Tompkins County Distinguished Youth Award by
the County Legislature for its summer community build and improvement project at Hanshaw
Village MI-IP. They have also received some Stop DWI funding to support refreshments. Linda
® Schoffel: Approx. 54000 /year comes into CCE from Stop DWI; she doles it out across programs
to help build assets and support drug -free li festyles. Shared budget updates for programs •
(handouts); all are in good shape with '/4 of the year done, approx. 73% of budget has been used.
OURS fundraising is down a bit; firndraising is needed to help cover core expenses. There will
be a rock climbing fundraiser on 11/14 and they will participate in the Ithaca Alternative Gift
Pair on 12/4. Re. youth employment: 1 youth is still working at Southworth Library, 1 as a
helper to Dave and I as a helper to Julie.
County Budget Update: County budget is still evolving; OURS parents have really stepped up to
advocate with legislature. The budget looks more encouraging than it did a couple weeks ago
(when all MYS funds were proposed to be eliminated) though there will likely be less funding
for 2011. The next public hearing will be on Nov. 3. Additional advocacy is encouraged: letters
to the editor (Ithaca Journal), calls to legislators, speaking at public hearing.
Other: Kris invited members to a reception on Oct. 29, 3:30 -5:30 in Ithaca in honor of Nancy
Zahler who is retiring as director of County Youth Services. Amie Hendrix has been hired as the
new director. Kris announced that middle and high school students from all districts in the
county will be taking a student survey in late Oct., the same one they took in 2008. She'll share
reports when they're ready.
Next meeting: Nov. 16, 6:30 PM,
Meeting Adjourned.
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