Mount Pleasant Youth Council

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA MOUNT PLEASANT YOUTH COUNCIL Thursday, April 7, 2022 5:00 PM Microsoft Teams Meeting Meeting Link AGENDA Mr. El Hassan called the meeting to order at 5:24 p.m. Graci Canon, McKenna Young, Caroline Tiller, Geneva Kowbeidu, Grace Griffin and Garrett Griffin were all present 1. Public Comments There were no public comments. 2. Approval of the minutes from the February 3, 2022 meeting Mr. El Hassan moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Young. All Present voted in favor. 3. Discussion regarding possible involvement in the MPPD Mental Health Awareness event on May 11. Ms. Sims informed the Youth Council Members of a Mental Health Awareness event being hosted by the Mount Pleasant Police Department on the front lawn at Town Hall. Ms. Sims asked the Members if they would be interested in supporting the Mount Pleasant Police Department at this event and the consensus was favorable to participate. Mr. El Hassan asked how many volunteers would be needed and Ms. Sims stated as many as are able to participate. Ms. Sims said she would meet with the police department and get more information to the Youth Council Members. 4. Update regarding toiletry collection for the homeless Ms. Griffin said there would be an announcement made and bins placed at each of the schools. She said the announcement will probably be made the week after spring break, with toiletry  collections starting the following week. Ms. Griffin said she can collect the toiletries at the next meeting or pick them up if they need to be unloaded sooner. Ms. Sims asked if Ms. Griffin had a flyer or a list of items that can be shared. Ms. Griffin said she would e-mail it to Ms. Sims after the meeting. Ms. Sims said she would pick up the bins, and she said if the deadline for announcement submissions has not passed at any of the schools, to please go ahead and submit the request so people know to gather their toiletries while they are on spring break. Ms. Sims asked if Youth Council wanted to set a hard date for collecting the toiletries or keep it open for a couple of weeks for anyone who may be traveling for other reasons. Ms. Griffin said she has an announcement she has used in the past that she will be happy to share with anyone interested. Mr. El Hassan said he thought it would be good to keep it open for a few weeks as sports teams may be doing some traveling for state championships. The other Youth Council Members concurred. The Council Members agreed to end the toiletry drive the last week in April. Ms. Sims said the packing parties can be scheduled so as not to conflict with exam schedules. Ms. Griffin said there is going to be a toiletry drive through a business office, and after that there will likely be a mass packing party scheduled if anyone is interested. Ms. Sims said a bin will be placed in the lobby at Town Hall as well. 5. General discussion regarding other priority projects Ms. Sims said the letter regarding mental health support was sent to the state legislators and to the interim Superintendent for Charleston County School District. Representative Joe Bustos responded thanking Youth Council for sending the letter and said he would review it with his staff. Ms. Sims said the Superintendents office would like to sit down and have a conversation about ways that they can best support Youth Council. Ms. Sims said at the Education Committee on Monday it was relayed that $14.3M had been allocated in their budget specifically for mental health resources for students. Ms. Sims said in response to questions from the Committee, some of the money was going toward mental health counselors, some to programming and some toward physical spaces such as calming rooms. Ms. Sims said she would have an introductory conversation with the Superintendents office and if any Youth Council Members would like to participate, please let her know so it can be scheduled at convenient times for the participants. Mr. El Hassan and Ms. Canon both expressed an interest. Ms. Sims said the end of the session is approaching and Seniors will be recognized. She asked the current Seniors to share some information on their plans after high school. Ms. Sims stated any of the current members who are not graduating this year have first right of refusal to serve on Youth Council next year. Mr. El Hassan stated he had received some feedback after the Committee meeting last month and he thinks the tone taken toward speaking on school counselors must be very sensitive. He stated they are overworked with the individual graduation plans and college preparation. He said they have to help students with college preparation and with students mentally and they are trying to do the best they can with the resources they are given. Ms. Canon said her guidance counselor said something to her about it. Ms. Canon said she appreciates what they do, but there are so few counselors and so many students it is difficult, and there needs to be someone to focus on the mental aspect rather than the college preparations. Ms. Kowbiedu said at her school they have college counselors and a guidance counselor.  Ms. Canon said that is the goal. Ms. Sims thanked them for the feedback and said it was not intended to diminish what the guidance counselors are doing, but there needs to be more support for mental health. Mr. El Hassan said it was a good effort on everyones part to have this virtual meeting and he hopes it can be in-person next month. He understands everyone is busy but asked everyone to make sure the dates are on their calendars for the remainder of the session. 6. Adjourn There being no further business, Mr. El Hassan adjourned the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christine Barrett Clerk of Council April 7, 2022