HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-25 YMPC Meeting •
Caldwell Youth Master Plan Committee eetinDate • APPROVED
Meeting Minutes, June 25, 2019
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Present: Ron Bonneau, Donna Shines, Angie Point, Debbie Geyer, Tricia Lofton, aro
Laurie Macrae (Dept of Corrections), Michael Fonseca (YMCA), Candy Kober, Fiona May, Ken
Wien, Kelli G. Jenkins, Allison Westfall (CSD)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Fiona motioned/Donna seconded the motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on April 23,
2019. Motion passed.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Financial Reality Fair: Donna Shines spoke about the Financial Reality Fair that was organized for
Caldwell High School and Nampa High students recently, mostly seniors. As students entered the
auditorium, they were assigned a job, an Idaho-based salary, and a credit score. They then made
their way around the room to try and fit all the expenses of living into their new budget.
• Goal is to help students understand the world of finances and credit in the real world. The
tables around the room required students to choose the expenses they need/want, and
gave them information about what those choices would cost their budget.
• Nikki at Clarity Credit Union is open to meeting with Donna about sponsoring a similar
event for other groups — charter schools, college students, perhaps private schools.
Optimum crowd is 50-75 students at a time, though the latest groups were about 300.
• Committee members were in agreement that this experience would be a good future
outreach for our group.
• Alison Westfall reported on CapEd conducting a similar program at CHS this year. They
are interested in expanding the program to several treasure valley schools on the same
day in 2020.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Free 2 Succeed: Community Mentor Program. Laurie Macrae
Debbie introduced Laurie Macrae, one of the volunteers who adminsters the community mentoring
program through the Dept of Corrections, in partnership with Americorps Vista.
• Strives to help minimize the struggles experienced by previously incarcerated individuals in
transitioning to productive community living, and reduce the likelihood of re-incarceration.
• Mentors become part of the support system for the mentee and the mentee's family.
• Began with a three-year grant, which established a mentor coordinator in each probation
and parole district. Coordinators work to recruit and train mentors for those coming out of
incarceration. District Coordinators have a list of resources/community partners for housing,
clothing, and other needs.
• Mentors help fulfill the Dept of Corrections' mission of protecting the public by being part of
providing accountability, building trust, and encouraging the mentee to attend and complete
the required programs.
• There are currently 36 mentors, and 30 mentorships. All are voluntary, no one is required to
participate. Always looking for new mentors.
• Can be built into whatever it needs to be as long as the supervision requirements (working
with probation officers) and/or restrictions are met. It is becoming a valuable program;
volunteers, Corrections staff, and coordinators would like to see it become a permanent part
of the Dept of Corrections.
• Debbie will send out resource list to committee members to see if there is a resource that
YMPC might be able to provide, or if we might be able to suggest a new resource that may
be helpful. The Power Point presentation will also be provided so committee members can
access the links for more information.
• Laurie would also like help in getting the word out about the program to other agencies and
organizations. She will bring brochures for City Hall, AAFV/Hope's Door, YMCA
We the Family: Fiona May
Fiona indicated that We the Family is always looking for free, family-friendly Caldwell events to
publicize on Facebook and the We the Family website page. She stated that committee members
are welcome to forward any potential posts for social media, or family-oriented resources for the
website pages. Fiona is available to answer questions at any time.
Caldwell Youth Forum: Ron Bonneau
The May meeting was held at Ridgevue High School. A few Ridgevue students also attended the
meeting and reported that student leadership is focused on creating an uncommon culture at
Ridgevue: "Ridgevue is about more than sports and performance."
Students also reported on a few special projects:
• Coffee and donuts/muffins accompanied by thank you cards for school bus drivers.
• Promoting the 'Shoes that Grow' project (coordinated by student leadership).
• An encouragement campaign for 2 Ridgevue families experiencing adversity.
The budget for this year's Forum has now been fully funded, thanks to sponsorships from local
businesses and organizations. A total of 80-85 students are expected to attend from 7-8 area high
schools: Caldwell High, Vallivue High, Ridgevue High, COSSA, Canyon Springs, Elevate
Academy, and Gem State Academy. Ron is in contact with Vallivue Academy to see if they may
renew their interest in the Forum, and Debbie suggested that Ron also contact the new leadership
at Greenleaf Friends Academy about whether they might be interested.
Let's Move — Family Fun Day: Tricia Lofton
This year's event saw more than 400 participants. A few highlights:
• 300 raffle tickets given away to kids
• New this year: raffle tickets were given out for the available bikes. Those that didn't receive
a bike filled out an application with Canyon Bike Project to receive a bike when one
becomes available - more than 40 families filled out the requests.
• Volunteers - Kelli Jenkins coordinated volunteers through Just Serve - an online service
board for those looking for volunteer opportunities and those needing volunteers. Kelli
stated that all of the volunteers had a wonderful time helping out and will be back next year.
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• Ken and all the Family Fun Day staff expressed great appreciation for the help of the
volunteers. They made the entire event run much more smoothly.
• Kellie also coordinated the food donations for lunch - the donors also stated they were
happy to be a part of the day and would likely participate again next year.
Caldwell Saves 1St: Carol Mitchell
Carol Mitchell first reviewed the mission of the Caldwell Saves 1st program.
Carol also commented that due to scheduling conflicts with the Y and the financial literacy trainer,
Carol and Debbie have reached out to the Library for a space to hold the classes. Classes are
now scheduled for the last two (2) Thursdays in September. Outreach opportunities in August and
early September are the next step to get the word out to families: A partnership between the
YMCA and the Caldwell Saves 1st program for participation at upcoming events for enrollment
purposes is in process.
Upcoming: Compassion Caldwell is coming up in mid-September; anyone who wants to be
involved, contact Jim or Sharon Porter with LoveCaldwell.
Ken motioned/ Ron seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:11 am. The next meeting
will be on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 10am in the CPD Community Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Angie Point