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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-22 YMPC Minutes Caldwell Youth Master Plan Commi a AZer3 Meeting Minutes, Thursday, October 27, Date �Present: Ginna Maggard (JustServe), Rosario Soto and Teresa Sanchez (CHA), Jim Caldwell), Lindsey McConnell-Soong, Derrick Boles (Library), Melissa Gentry and Riley Brown (Boys & Girls Club), Denise Milburn (Caldwell Recreation), Jeff Meyers (Idaho Youth Ranch), Ron Bonneau (Youth Forum), Donna Shines (Mentoring Network), Katie McKinney (WICAP), Geoff Williams (City Council Liaison), Rosa Olivera and Tamara Lawson (Caldwell School District), and Debbie Geyer and Angie Point (City Staff). Meeting called to order a 10:00 am. APPROVAL OF PAST MINUTES: Donna Shines motioned and Lindsey McConnell-Soong seconded the motion to accept the minutes from the July 28, 2022 Youth Master Plan meeting. MOTION PASSED Special Presentation: Mayor Jarom Wagoner Mayor Wagoner thanked everyone for the collaboration evident over the past many years among the many organizations represented at the meeting on this day. He also highlighted a few changes coming in the near future to the leadership and direction of the Youth Master Plan Committee. Twelve years ago, the City Clerk stepped in on a temporary basis to help guide the newly formed Caldwell Youth Master Plan Committee. This will now fall under the purview of the Mayor's Office staff, particularly the Mayor's Executive Assistant, Joanna Bartrop. Joanna will be stepping in to help guide and lead the charge of the YMPC moving forward. Debbie and Angie will be stepping back to focus on City Clerk roles, and we want to thank them for their hard work and faithful involvement over the past many years. Debbie in particular has played a large part in establishing the partnerships and collaborative relationships with the many organizations and agencies that are part of this organization today. The Mayor discussed his vision to mentor and come alongside our youth to help them accomplish what they see as important in life. He stated that youth are our future. He talked about walking with elementary school students during the Mayor's Walking Challenge and answering the questions they ask about what he does as Mayor. He also meets quarterly with select students at different schools for Pizza with the Mayor. His primary goal is to get kids involved in decision- making roles for our community and making them aware that there are positions available for youth on several boards and commissions within the community. Mayor Wagoner related story of a time in Chile when he trusted a young boy to go to the store with a lot of money to buy bread. His trust and willingness to let the boy run the errand empowered the boy to do the job given him. The goal is to guide where we need to, and reign them in where necessary. Youth will rise up and succeed when given the chance. He also stated that, as we all know, drug use is out there, and educating youth is a big deal. Mental health is a big deal as well. Youth need to know it's OK/normal to feel these feelings and think these thoughts. If someone doesn't talk to them, they dwell on the thoughts and it makes it worse. He feels adults need to be with kids and sometimes be a kid to let them know we can be silly and fun at their level. He also appreciates everyone being here and being examples to kids and empowering them to do what they can do. Next year's Golf Scramble benefit will involve teaming up with the Boys and Girls Club. Timelines: At the beginning of January Debbie and Angie will be taken off the rosters and new appointees added. The Caldwell Youth Forum event planning will continue under the leadership of Ron Bonneau, and Joanna Bartrop will be the City liaison for this subcommittee. Family Fun Day will also continue as an annual event, but under different leadership. Mayor Wagoner will be reviewing the plan itself, and other subcommittees may be added. The Mayor noted that the City has partnered with the JustServe organization to put together a proclamation regarding a day of prayer, and referenced the flyer for more information. The backside of the flyer talks about the Rake Up Caldwell and Food Drive event coming up on November 12. He noted that raking teams and food collection teams are needed; contact is Bryan Kida in the Mayor's office. Debbie related that she has been contacted by several service members asking for information about agencies and organizations in the community. She provided a handout to committee members with contact information for several service organizations. Committee Reports: 1. Caldwell Youth Forum Subcommittee — Ron Bonneau: The Fall Youth Forum, held at the College of Idaho on September 14th, was likely one of the best ever, based on comments from students, school staff, and school participation. There were about 60 students from three schools. Highlights: • Great leadership from the YMCA, Will Logan specifically. Brought kids together who didn't know each other, broke down barriers to find commonalities, and knocked it out of the park. Have some really great talent here in the valley to promote collaboration. • Mayor's involvement has also been key. Listen to the kids collaborate together,r then take their project goals back to school and start the dialog at school. • Identified leaders who can go back and share ideas on improving the culture at school. Not just to survive, but to create an environment conducive to learning. • They know what they need, we just need to give them the avenue and the voice to do so. Main theme is 'Its On Us'to make a difference. Be part of the solution. Two Youth Forum events in 2023: CYF-Bogus Basin Adventure is scheduled for January 11, 2023. This is a scaled-down event, similar in format to the 2022 event at Bogus. The Fall Youth Forum is scheduled for September 13, 2022, at The College of Idaho. 2. Family Fun Day: New theme in 2022 was agriculture/farming. Free family event designed to encourage families to unplug, get outside, and enjoy all there is to do in the great outdoors. Many thanks to all involved, and a special shout out to )ustServe in coordinating volunteers and sack lunches for 500 people. All those involved make it very successful. Community Partner Reports • Idaho Youth Ranch —Jeff Meyers: Less than 9 months away from opening their new youth residential center in Caldwell. Hiring now. Will have 64 individual beds; 114 staff needed. • Mentoring Network — Donna Shines. Feels really good to get back into schools after the last two years. Always great to hear the stories of elementary kids who had a mentor, and the difference it makes throughout their life. As always, the need is for good human beings to become mentors. Kids don't know we care unless we listen. All they ask is that we sit beside them and listen to them and let them know they are seen. • Boys and girls Club — Now serving 100 kids and growing; happy to be in Caldwell. • Deer Flat — Visitor Center now open again. They are working on more collaboration and partnerships. Currently meeting with the Treasure Valley Conservation Partnership and are hoping to improve connections between citizens of cities and the refuge. Soliciting ideas on how they might be an asset for something other agencies in the room are doing. • Caldwell Housing Authority: CHA recently helped the City with shoring up the 711 Avenue pedestrian bridge. Teresa invited all to the trunk or treat at Farmway Village, and provided flyers for anyone interested. CHA is also exploring new housing options and offered to connect with WICAP about housing options. Both organizations are discovering that hotels are no longer offering space for the homeless. • Debbie recognized/introduced Geoff Williams, the City Council Liaison. • Jim Porter— Compassion Caldwell. Finished the most recent event at the end of August at Elevate Academy; served about 700 people. Every year we reevaluate to see if still needed, and every year it is so. Still doing Canyon bike project as well. • Just Serve: Day of fasting and gratitude, Rake Up Caldwell/Food Drive: Volunteers have delivered flyers to a lot of the companies in Caldwell. Looking for those to put together a team to help those in need. Also adding food to Food Banks, drop off location on that day, or at City Hall any time. Boy Scouts will be on hand to unload items and sort for the food banks. The families are so excited to receive that food, and youth get excited to help sort and deliver. All food banks are low right now; anything to promote it is great. • Ron: St. Vincent's has food distribution every Wednesday, serving 60 families on average. • CSD — Boys soccer state championships this weekend, state champions. Trunk or Treat at Sacajawea from 10am-12pm. • At Washington Elementary will be a Toys for Tots collection on November 411. The program has changed; Rosa Overra is working with the Salvation Army to see about scheduling other collection days/sites. Contact Rosa with questions. • WICAP — Katie — The new youth center is funded, which will cover seven counties and expand helping with 24-hour childcare for crisis center as well. Turkey drive and food distributions coming up. • University of Idaho Ext — Wrapping up the Senior Produce program — had many youth volunteers helping with this at the Tuesday Caldwell Farmers Markets. Invited any interested to attend the Caldwell Health Coalition meetings; they want to become a forum of many for many. Zoom meeting on the third Wednesday each month; check out Facebook page. • Denise: There is a new Parks and Recreation Director — Juli McCoy. Basketball program is in full swing for the first time in two years, with many teams/families back in sports. Being able to use school gyms again is very helpful. Donna Shines motioned, Denise Milburn seconded the motion to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 11:17 am. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 24, 2023 at loam in the CPD Community Room. Respectfully submitted, Angie Point Youth Master Plan Committee