Commission on the Social Status of African-American Males

M I N U T E S MICHIGAN CITY COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES Wednesday, April 12, 2017 Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Faye Moore Gerry Jones -Excused Abs. Rev. Dennis Carroll Willie Milsap Joan Ganschow Marty Corley-Excused Abs. Tim Bietry, Council Liaison Pastor Edward Carnes, Sr. Lester Norvell Arthur Payne, Jr. Sean Fitzpatrick Mario Rosa Nila Williams Other's Present: Andy Steele- Cameraman MISSION STATEMENT: To identify and recommend public remedies to increase, broaden and improve the economic, educational, social and professional status of the African-American male locally. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:02 p.m. by Commissioner Arthur Payne, Jr. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Faye Moore called the roll - Minutes reflect attendance and absences. Marty Corley and a group of young men are touring at the State Capital today. Mrs. Gerry Jones is out of the country on business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Payne asked for a motion to accept the minutes. Motion made by Commissioner Tim Bietry; seconded Commissioner Lester Norvell and Joan Ganschow. Motion carried with sign of aye. No-nays TREASURER’S REPORT: Written treasurer’s report was submitted by, by Marty M. Corley, MCCSSAAM treasurer, handed out with a beginning date of April 24, 2014. On 4/10/17 a deposit from give back night at Buffalo Wild Wings of $190.00. Ending Balance as of April 12, 2017 is $15,914.03 Commissioner Carroll motion to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Commissioner Norvell. Motion carried. GUEST SPEAKER – Ms. Michelle Shirk, Development Director, LaPorte City Family YMCA The presentation was approximately one-half hour. • Highlights: Michigan City family Y is located at the old Elston High School on Pine Street. • Goal: Youth Development; Healthy Living for all ages; and Social Responsibility • Three main programs for adults are: Enhance fitness for persons with Arthritis (2) Live Strong – Cancer Survivors (3) Silver Sneakers • Social Responsibility: $200,000 Scholarships for memberships and child care. –Various fund raising events are held to each year to sustain the scholarships. • Swimming Pool named: Tucker/Babcock Pool and was dedicated in 2016 –Pool opens next month • Michigan City branch have approximately 1,200 members • The Y (YMCA) is currently building a base for volunteers • John Collins Cardio Club – Mon. – Fri. Evenings • Winter months: Spoken Word; Chess Club; Baseball; Basketball • Enhance Fitness is a 16-week program for senior fitness. OUTCOME: Too improve and maintain 1  mobility. • GOALS FOR 2017 (1) Evolve as needed for 21st. Century health & wellness (2) Expand Chronic Disease Program (3) Teach Critical Water Safety Skills to the Community (Lake Michigan –decrease deaths) • How can you help: (1) Need Coaches in Basketball and Soccer (2) Volunteer for Special Events (3) Serve on “Y” Board and Committees (4) Spread the word about programs (5) Make financial contribution, especially during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. There will be a fund raiser, “Dance Like a Star” the participants will have a professional dance instructor for about (4) weeks prior to the event. The event will be Friday- Memorial Day Weekend. Can buy tickets on the website: www.lpymca.org There will be 10 contestants and out of the 10, there will be (4) winners. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Annual Report: Everyone should have received the Annual Report. Mrs. Jones did an excellent job putting together this report. Commissioners Nila Williams and Lester Norvell need copies of the report. 2. African Garden (Friendship Botanical Garden) Nila Williams has met with Juanita Hill, Master Gardner and the Vice-President of the board (Friendship Gardens). The original area designated is too wet for the garden, however, Nila took pictures of the area and will send the pictures to Mr. Aloba or others can go look at the area. Step 2 We can get with a landscaper and show them the plans. Nila will check and see if we can use the equipment at the Botanical Gardens or do we have to purchase our own. Step 3 Friendship Botanical Gardens usually open May-October during the day. When do we have access to work the garden? There is signage. It was suggested that we plant perennials. How big is the area? Is there drainage? There is drainage and we would start the garden near the drainage. The area still needs to be measured. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Education Committee: (Faye Moore, Chair) the Reverend Bill J. Ashley Memorial Scholarship. The Committee will be meeting after this meeting to update the scholarship and get it out to the schools. It is for Young Black Males. They don’t have to be attending a College, but can apply if they are in a Vocational Program or attending a Trade School and need tools for the trade, such as OSHA training. Michigan City area school ends May 26, 2017. Economic Development: (Willie Milsap, Chair) Mr. Arthur Payne, Jr. and Councilman Tim Bietry had a meeting with the Human Rights Director and they came up with an action plan. The Social Status Commission will establish a pool of workers. Willie Milsap and the Economic Committee as well as other Commissions will recruit African-American Males who are willing to work on Job readiness by attending workshops. We can go door to door, the churches and the schools. Recruit persons that want a career and don’t mind setting the tone and opening doors for others. (b) They have to be willing to be pre-screened before going for the job interview. We can also talk with Audra Peterson at the A. K. Smith Center. Next, the Michigan City Fire Department Consent Decree – Blacks are not signing up to take the test. Blacks don’t feel they can get hired. There is already so much nepotism. We need to talk to the school counselors to get names of students that they might know. COMMISSIONERS ROUND TABLE: Commissioner W. Faye Moore: (NAACP) announced the officers of the NAACP: Wesley “Wes” Scully, President/ Brient Thomas, Vice President, W. Faye Moore, Secretary and Joan Chumley, elected treasurer with Clarence Finnie, Assistant Treasurer. The NAACP meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 301 Grant Street NCCAA Madlyn Smrt Community Center on the Lincoln Avenue entrance at 6:30 p.m. (General Membership). Commissioner Nila Williams : (Health ) Black Barbershop Health Initiative presented by Indiana Commission 2 on the Social Status of the Black Male will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at three local barber shops: Cutting-up and Marvelous Cuts from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Plantumn from 12-3 p.m. Healthlinc is going to print color flyers (Nila passed out black and white flyers). Screenings for Blood Pressure/ Body Mass/ and Blood Glucose for males, but they will screen females. FREE T-SHIRTS. B. Shatter the Myth on Drugs and Alcohol Program Nila requesting the Social Status to co-sponsor this program. Literature is already available and she wants to start with the middle schools and 9th & 10th grades. We can have a Panel with Mental Health/Dental/Police/Clinics and a Youth or two. She wanted the first event to be in May before the end of the school year. Also, vendors such as Drug Free Partnership. We would need volunteers to pass out cards for the students to write down questions. Chairman Payne, Jr. suggested that we (Social Status) give our own forum or workshop, but we would support her program. Joan Ganschow: Criminal Justice – The Drug Free Partnership Coalition meets First Wednesday of the month and they alternate meeting between La Porte and Michigan City. We can go to the website to learn more. www.drugfreepartnership • Question asked by Commissioner D. Carnes, Is there a detox center in Michigan City? Commissioner Carroll stated that there was some talk about St. Franciscan using the 5th floor of the hospital, which is currently used for Hospice. • Question asked by Commissioner F. Moore, When is the ICJA Northwest District Conference? Answer: Will know by the next Social Status Meeting. • There is some Grant monies for Mental Health Councilman Tim Bietry: • Detox Units do not have a good reputation • Consent Decree – My son tested out at the top of his class and was passed over twice because of the Fire Department Consent Decree. He is a Fire Fighter now and on the Scuba team. Commissioner Dennis Carroll –Human Rights Commission: • Hospital possible will use current building as Hospice Care and Detox Unit • Human Rights Commission is working on Consent Decree Commissioner Mario Rosa: There seem to be a lot of 17 year olds that have high blood pressure, especially African-Americans and that is a problem. Commissioner Lester Norvell: Neighborhoods: • 20 years I have complained about the area where the 14 year old was killed in Eastport • Why can’t anything be done about the youth in Eastport? It is a “Respect” issue. • Shots were heard the other night – police were called and admitted that they had received three other calls – No follow-up Commissioner Carnes: (Ministerial Alliance) No Report Commissioner Sean Fritzpatrick (Labor) April 22, 2017 (Saturday) Second Annual Heroine Walk – Starting place, Family Video parking Lot, La Porte (Lincoln Way) Register on Facebook page –A Voice For Them Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Rosa, seconded by Commissioner Norvell. Motion carried, Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Action Secretary, Commissioner Faye Moore NEXT MEETING MAY 10, 2017 3