HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-26 YMPC Minutes APPROVED
Caldwell Youth Master Plan Comm
Meeting Minutes, Thursday, August 26, PJUdd. Isla I
Present: Katie Crabtree (WICAP), Debbie Geyer (City), Angela Gomez Martinez (CASA SW Idaho),
Tricia Lofton (AAFV), Ron Bonneau (Caldwell Youth Forum), Ellie Epperson (Library), Claudia
Suastegui (YMCA), Mackenzie Bannister (CASA SW Idaho), Mike Dittenber (CHA), Julie Yamamoto
(ALB, CCB), Bianca Stevenson (City), and Angie Point (City)
Meeting called to order at 10:03 am.
Ron Bonneau MOTIONED and Mackenzie Bannister SECONDED THE MOTION to accept the minutes
from the June 24, 2020 Youth Master Plan meeting.
MOTION PASSED
Special Presentation: Katie Crabtree—WICAP Youth Matters Program
Katie has served in many areas within the WICAP organization over the last 15 years. She is now the
Youth Advocate for the Youth Matters program, which opened in March 2021.
• Four fold focus: self worth, self confidence, self sufficient, giving back.
• More than 800 homeless youth in Canyon County alone. Services focus primarily on individual
needs as they arise:
o Job readiness preparation (resumes, job search help).
o Documentation to get ID card/driver's permit.
o Tutoring support.
o GED classes for high school completion credential. Since March, the program has
helped five students earn a GED.
o College preparation.
o Healthy relationships training/mental health services.
o Partnerships with other youth programs to provide comprehensive wrap-around
services.
• Free books are available for any youth; Book It Forward supplies the books. Organizations
are always welcome to do a book drive for the program. Debbie stated City Hall would be a
good gathering place for collecting books and will get the word out.
• Giving Back segment shows youth that they have something to offer—great boost to mental
health and self worth. Youth provide volunteer service hours doing yard work/house work for
senior citizens, and through opportunities found through JustServe.
• Some services are currently funded through CSBG program (driver's education, GED
preparation courses); they are also looking into grants for ongoing services.
Goal is to work toward having all services available at a community center in each community/county.
Partnerships with many agencies/organizations, but need more youth activists to cover all seven
counties; currently Katie is the only one. Funding and space are the biggest challenges.
Sub-Committee Reports:
1. Caldwell Youth Forum Subcommittee — Ron: Current COVID concerns may impact the use of
the Train Depot building for the event, as well as for student attendance. Waiting on the schools
to confirm if they are able to send students. Next committee meeting is on Sept 7th to walk
through the event details, but we may instead postpone or possibly cancel again. We would
rather stall and be safe, than move forward and be unsafe. So we will be discussing options
over the next few weeks.
2. Let's Move — Debbie: Very successful Family Fun Day in June after a slow start in the early
morning. We will be looking for next year at the possibility of starting a little later, and spreading
out a little less.
3. Caldwell Saves 1st : Debbie: With a new surge in COVID, we are stepping back in acquiring
new participants at this time. We continue to see past participants following through with
providing documentation to receive annual incentives.
Community Youth and Family Organizations: Updates
Mentorinq Network — Looking for more mentors for one-on-one meeting options with students (via
Zoom/digital options or in-person options)
Assistance League of Boise CC Branch (ALB-CC). Julie: Many thanks for the support at the recent
Community Baby Shower, sponsored by JustServe. Many items were provided to five different
organizations, and the ALB-CCB Baby Bundles program received enough donations to provide more
bundles to participating area hospitals. Because COVID does not stop babies being born.
Operation School Bell — We also have a new grant to provide school clothing for students in Vallivue
School District, Caldwell School District, and Nampa School District. We have been partnering with JC
Penny in Nampa to bring students in before the store's regular opening hours and provide this service
for them.
AAFV—Trish: Sept 25th outside at the Indian Creek Plaza is the Hope Down fundraiser. COVID surge
is a concern for the event and for services; numbers of sex crimes against kids is skyrocketing.
Love Caldwell: Compassion Caldwell event usually in September— Mike Dittenber stated that he did
not think it would happen, due to the recent COVID surge.
Bianca Stevenson is the new Communications Specialist for the City and is also the MYAC liaison. The
Mayor's State of the City address is scheduled for September 23, 2021 at Jewett Auditorium on the C
of I campus. Again, not sure how COVID upsurge may affect the event.
MYAC fundraising Gala is scheduled for August 24th and some tickets/tables still available for purchase.
Considering the possibility of making the auction on-line rather than live.
Library - Ellie: Summer reading finished up; was able to give out two books per student this year. In
strategic planning process right now; please come and fill out a survey to help the Library determine
what direction to go in the next three years.
CASA of Southwestern Idaho — MacKenzie and Angela: In a bit of a crisis right now. Trying to service
as many kids as possible, so at 200% capacity. Need funding to hire advocates. Trish (AAFV) stated
that all programs were cut, and that many agencies are experiencing federal funding cuts.
Caldwell Housing Authority — Mike: There is a housing and labor shortage. Employers want to lease
blocks of apartments for their new employees; can't hire if there is no place for employees to live. This
is desirable for landlords and employers, but shrinks housing availability for everyone else.
New RV Park is in process and will be completed in phases; the desire is to make sure that the facility
meets current and future requirements. Projected opening is for March/April next year.
Trisha Lofton MOTIONED, McKenzie Bannister SECONDED THE MOTION to adjourn. Meeting was
adjourned at 11:17 am. The next meeting will be Thursday October 28, 2021 at 10am in the CPD
Community Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Angie Point
Youth Master Plan Committee