Salem Youth Commission

CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS Kimberley Driscoll Mayor Salem Youth Commission June 16, 2016 6:00pm 120 Washington Street –3rd Floor Minutes Attendees: Samuel Hoang, Ishmael Telemaco, Aiyana Lilly, Nick Angeramo; Jared Lubas, Felicia Pierce, Michael Quigley, Kahlil Mitchell-Smith, Jacob McGrath, Collin McLean, Laura Assade, Andrea El-Turkmani (Guest Speaker) Salem Youth Commission (SYC) members attended nAGLY Vigil outside of Museum Place Mall Fountain later headed to Meeting space at 120 Washington street. SYC formally introduced themselves, discussed their reasons for joining the Salem Youth Commission, and talked about future meeting dates, times and locations. SYC members were also advised to think about positions in SYC for Chair, Vice Chair and Scribe and what that would look like. We had Andrea El-Turkmani as a guest speaker. Andrea is the Coordinator of Substance Abuse Prevention Programs from Girls Inc. of Lynn, MA who came to talk about a few projects that she would like to have some SYC members to participate in. 1. Sticker Shock campaign— project where Andrea, and members of SYC would go in a group (maybe just need 2-3 youth) to liquor stores in Salem and ask them if we could put stickers on the products to remind adults that it is illegal to buy alcohol for youth under 21. Data has shown that youth under 21 most often access alcohol in Salem through older friends and family, which is why it is important to do this Salem City Hall – 93 Washington Street – Salem, MA 01970-3592 Ph. 978-745-9595 Fax 978-744-9327  2. Youth Focus Groups—The idea is that I would train 2-3 of the SYC youth to facilitate and take notes on focus groups for youth grades 6-12. We really need more data than we have right now to determine underage drinking and other drug use patterns. I attached some sample questions to this email, but again, I would provide a much more in depth training so the youth can be prepared. This sort of aligns with your “youth-led” mission—I also believe that youth leading focus groups is more appropriate than adults doing so. 3. Youth to Youth Conference—Girls Inc. would be able to take 2 youth from Salem (and two youth from other communities involved on this grant) to this conference. It is the last weekend in July. WHAT IS YOUTH TO YOUTH? Youth to Youth engages young people through meaningful activities and experiences to develop and implement their own ideas to create positive change. Our original youth-driven, adult guided programming has set the standard for youth development and prevention programming across this country and around the world. 4. Youth-led media campaign—this is something that wouldn’t begin until the fall, but Salem High School students expressed some interest in this as well, along with other youth groups in our “cluster” for this grant. The idea is to have youth from other communities work together on one campaign. Logistics are TBD at this point since it’s still so far away, everyone will be informed of the opportunities. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm Salem City Hall – 93 Washington Street – Salem, MA 01970-3592 Ph. 978-745-9595 Fax 978-744-9327