Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING July 12th 2011 ROOM 335, NORWICH CITY HALL (860) 823-3782 - FAX (860) 892-6031 Email: nyfs@cityofnorwich.org MINUTES The Norwich Youth and Family Services Advisory Board Meeting was held on July 12th 2011 in Room 335 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Kay Eyberse-Coordinator Jodi Vara-Norwich Free Academy, President Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member Deb Kievits Sorna Sarker – Youth advisory member Absent: Ryan Kelsey-NPD Laura Wraight-Norwich Public Schools Soledad Busto-Juvenile Court Duncan Profitt-Community Member Vouise Fonville-DCF Kay Eyberse called the meeting to order at 8:30. Jodi Vara started the meeting by having everyone introduce him/herself, sign in and update any email information. The minutes from the May 10th, 2011 meeting were distributed and read. The minutes were amended since Deb Kievits was present at the last meeting but listed as absent. Program Review ~ • Norwich Youth Action Council- Funds from the “Flocking Flamingos For Summer Fun” fundraiser held in the Spring are helping 12 kids go to camp this summer to date. More money is available and that information is being disseminated. NYAC wrote thank you cards to all the donors. 3 new members have been accepted into the group. They have planned a team building zip lining event in August, another Family Fun Night in August and a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser in September! • Girls Circle- Ended successfully, outcomes were excellent and a new round of funding from the Women’s and Girls Fund will be coming available which Kay will apply for.  • Strengthening Families- was very successful. The team got positive outcomes from both the youth and their families and NYFS plans on doing two next year. • COOL Directions- Summer Youth Employment Funds have been cut by 30 percent. We plan on employing the same number of kids as originally planned, but for fewer hours. • Both Adult and Teen Leadership – ended at the end of May. They completed both of their projects and both groups were offered the opportunity to continue their work in the community. The new Parent Trust grant should be coming available at the end of the summer, which Kay and Sherry will bwe applying for. • Norwich Prevention Council – working on a City wide media campaign to be launched at the end of the summer. There will likely be more LPC money because of the increase in population since the 2010 census.Kay expressed a great need to recruit more members. New Business Updates ~ • Backpacks will be distributed to kids in need through the “Backpack Back to School Program”. Kay believes many of the NYAC youth will volunteer and she will be looking into backpacks and calculators for high school students. • A “Tobacco prevention program” will be taking place in the Otis Library offered by SERAC • “Summer fun is not done” will be held August 10th and will be held in the Parking Lot across from City Hall. It is sponsored by the Great Norwich AntiBullying Coalition. Wrap-Up ~ • “What does Youth and Family Services need from me?” • “What can Youth and Family Services do for me?” Respectfully submitted: Sorna Sarker, Secretary Next Board meeting will be September 13th, 2011 from 8:30-9:30am. Room 335 in City Hall Refreshments will be served. All are welcome! NYFS is now on Facebook. Check it out for program updates, tips and upcoming events!