Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING September 13th 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 September 13th 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-Community Member Sorna Sarker – Youth advisory member Janet Paton-Community 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 July 12th, 2011 meeting were distributed and read. The minutes were approved as written. ________________________________________________________________________________ Program Review ~ • Norwich Youth Action Council- was on “Community Friends”, the public access channel on Sept. 12th. They spent the half hour describing their history and upcoming events and, in particular, advertised their Pancake Breakfast/Silent Auction fundraiser. They are raising money for the Golden Wishes fund; a basic needs fund for seniors. It will be held on Sept. 25th. Sorna reported on their zip lining trip in August and their most recent Family Fun Night in August as well. It was very well attended and parent participation was up. • Girls Circle- will be moved to NFA from Kelly Middle School. The hope is that the program will serve to ease the transition for girls moving into 9th grade. It will start sometime in October and will run one or two days per week depending on the sign ups. The goal is 12  girls per session can benefit from this program. A grant was written to the Women’s and Girls Fund to support this effort. • Strengthening Families- There was great feedback following this program in the Spring. It was so successful that NYFS is looking to do two 7 week units. One session will be in fall, another in the winter. Up to 12 families per session can be accommodated. • Youth Employment- 111 kids were employed through the Summer Youth Employment Program this summer. Each young person was employed an average of five weeks at responsible jobs. • Adult and Teen Leadership – a grant is in the process of being written for SERC to support these efforts this year. These 15 week programs launch in January and run until Spring of 2012. They will be held at Three Rivers Community College and CEUs are awarded for successful completion of the program. • Norwich Prevention Council – Members have decided on 3 billboards ads which will be displayed this Fall. . Brochures are ready and in the process of being dispersed. Kay is designing two over the road banners to be used yearly. NPC still need to increase its membership and is particularly interested in recruiting parents onto the Council. New Business Updates ~ • 710 backpacks have just been distributed to needy families in Norwich by NHS. • Family Day is Sept. 18th at Mohegan Park. This annual event is Norwich’s favorite all day picnic! • NYAC is selling tickets for it’s Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Call 860-823-3782 for more info. Wrap-Up ~ • “What does Youth and Family Services need from me?” • “What can Youth and Family Services do for me?” Next Board meeting will be November 8th, 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!