Aurora House Citizens' Advisory Committee

AURORA HOUSE GIRLS’ GROUP HOME CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 05/09/2023 PURPOSE OF MEETING: The Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee provides consultation to the Aurora House Manager regarding community resources and public awareness; advises the City Council and Arlington County Board of Aurora House's needs, budget, and services; and serves as community liaison through area organizations, civic groups, and other boards and commissions. DATE OF MEETING: May 9, 2023 PLACE OF MEETING: City Hall, Laurel Conference Room MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair, Christina Goodwin, at 7:02 PM THOSE PRESENT: Committee Members Staff Laura Economos Rachel Kindell Christina Goodwin, Chair Dana Jones Mariam Garriga Christine Katcher City Council Liaison Val Cloutier Caroline Lian Others Present: Rick Strobach, Deputy Director, Arlington Court Services Unit Approval of Minutes: January 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes approved with correction to fundraising goal amount. Group Home Manager’s Report:  Hired a full-time Residential Counselor and a full-time Overnight Counselor. Recruiting for 2 more full-time Residential Counselors.  In the process of planning the summer program for Aurora House. Planning for Etiquette Classes, Art Therapy Workshops, and Book Club Group. The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov   Report of Scholarship balances.  Discussed 2 Scholarship Applications.  Aurora House will be lifting COVID restrictions on April 1st.  The Program will be accepting more foster care.  More cases from Fairfax are starting to come in.  Discussed possible utilization of immigration services.  Discussed possible internship for residents. Ms. Lian suggested utilization of the Chamber of Commerce and what the intern options might be. Ms. Garriga plans to contact Clare & Don’s regarding options they may have. Olom-Porzel College Scholarship Fund Reports:  Applicant #1 will attend summer school and has received funds for the school year; transcripts were submitted; starting sophomore year; approved for full amount.  Applicant #2 is asking for as much funding as possible; currently a junior; this is her 3rd request; approved for full amount.  Waiting on a 3rd applicant.  Less than 50% of Program graduates go on to college. The Program plans college tours and would like to explore trades as an option. Program graduates have doubts about college affordability and capability. Other options/opportunities should be explored. The Arlington Career Center could have a speaker visit Aurora House. Mr. Strobach suggested that colleges could help with the 4-year transition. Ms. Garriga suggested a career/interest assessment. Ms. Cloutier may have someone that can administer a career matching test. Could also take advantage of help offered by local jurisdictions. Ms. Garriga has a contact from the fundraiser that could assist with career ideas. Scholarships Fund Balance Reports:  Approximately $20K between both accounts. New Business:  Summer Planning - Ms. Cloutier and Ms. Garriga will reach out to contacts for Etiquette Classes; a recommendation was made to look into Mary Riley Styles book boxes; diversity was suggested as a good topic to read about; Ms. Goodwin would like to organize the Book Club.  Mr. Strobach is looking for a Falls Church representative to serve on the NOVA Detention Commission which is a Regional Board and Commission with a monthly meeting, budget discussions, and fiscal oversite with 10 people on the committee.  Mr. Strobach is also looking for Spanish speaking staff for Young Achievers. Someone who likes to work with teens – mostly Court appointed boys.  Mr. Strobach would also like to set up a Scholarship Committee for Argus House. May not need to be a formal committee if it is only for scholarships. Ms. Garriga recommended speaking to Courtney McCarthy regarding the structure of the committee. If it will only be scholarships, the CAC may be able to be utilized. Ms. Goodwin The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov  encouraged setting up a committee because this is an affluent area and there could be a lot of support.  Ms. Cloutier suggested adding to the number of members for the CAC. An additional member from Falls Church and Arlington. Ms. Garriga agreed that there isn’t a downside to increasing the number of members. More members would mean more support and representation. Dana Jones may need to go to Council to make a motion to increase the number of members. Meeting adjourned: 8:02 PM Next scheduled meeting will be on July 11, 2023 SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Amy Howell The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov