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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 3, 2015 I-01AGENDA ITEM :rem CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION TM AGENDA TITLE: Report on the City of Lodi Junior Giants Program and Adopt Resolution Establishing an Account for Donations Received from the Omega Nu Sorority ($600), from Andrew Rigopolous ($500) and from the World Series Trophy Tour Event ($866) MEETING DATE: June 3, 2015 PREPARED BY: Community Development Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Report on the City of Lodi Junior Giants Program and adopt resolution establishing an account for donations received from the Omega Nu Sorority ($600), from Andrew Rigopolous ($500) and from the World Series Trophy Tour event ($866). BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Junior Giants Program, the flagship program of the Giants Community Fund, is a free, non-competitive and innovative baseball program for boys and girls ages 5-18 years old. In 1994, the Fund sought a program that would give at -risk kids a meaningful partnership with community-based organizations and provide an alternative to drugs, gangs and crime. The Junior Giants program now reaches over 22,000 children in 90 leagues across California and into Nevada and Oregon. The Community Fund provides all of the uniforms, equipment, and training necessary to run a league as well as tickets to select Giants games so the youth can experience a Major League Baseball game. More importantly, beyond teaching the fundamentals of baseball, the Junior Giants Program focuses on the four bases of character development - Confidence, Integrity, Leadership and Teamwork - and offers programs in Education, Health and Violence Prevention. This framework is integrated into the weekly practices and games for each team. Lodi Junior Giants The Junior Giants Program has brought those benefits to Lodi, first in 1999 when it was run through the Lodi Police Department and now once again in 2014 as part of the Youth Outreach element of the Lodi Gang Reduction Intervention Prevention (LodiGRIP) Program. Neighborhood Services Manager Joseph Wood participated as a Coach during those early years and recognized the benefit that the program provided to youth in the community. While going through the community outreach and needs assessment process for the Community Development Block Grant program and the development and implementation of the Lodi Gang Reduction Intervention Prevention (LodiGRIP) Program, Mr. Wood saw the opportunity to bring the Junior Giants Program Lodi Junior Giants Program June 3, 2015 Page 2 of 3 back to Lodi to once again address the overwhelming need for organized sports activities for low- income families and at -risk youth. With the approval of then -City Manager Rad Bartlam, Mr. Wood submitted an application to the Giants Community Fund to reestablish a league in Lodi, and in 2014 that application was approved. Last June, with the assistance of Vice -Commissioners Michael Reese and Russ Lake, the City of Lodi's 2014 Junior Giants season began with 166 youth participants and 10 teams. At the completion of that 2014 season, the Community Fund generated an Individual League Report from data collected through interviews with league parents, coaches and participants and compiled by Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo. The results indicated that Lodi parents were, "extremely satisfied with league operations and believe that their children are benefitting from curriculum being offered in character development, anti -bullying, health promotion/education, and reading." The complete report is attached as Exhibit A. As one of the new Junior Giants Leagues, the Community Fund selected Lodi as one of the sites for the San Francisco Giant's World Series Trophy Tour. This provided an opportunity to promote the upcoming season for 2015 and to solicit donations to support the program. More than 1,000 people came through the Trophy Tour event at Hutchins Street Square on February 11th and a total of $866 in donations was received. Since that event, additional donations have come in from the Omega Nu Sorority ($600) and from Andrew Rigopolous ($500), one of the parents involved in the league who has been promoting the program through his organization that supports children with special needs. While the Giants Community Fund does provide all the equipment and materials for the league, there were expenses last year for field rentals at Lodi Academy where the majority of the practices and games were held and for ice and bottled waters for the youth during practices and games. For 2015, the Emergency Food Bank has committed to donating the bottled waters for our program, but we still have the cost of facility rentals at Lodi Academy. We currently have over 300 youth signed up for the 2015 season, which will require over 20 teams to accommodate them. While we have secured the use of some City fields for our program this year, we will still need to increase the use of the facilities at Lodi Academy. The donated funds will be used to cover those costs. We would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation and gratitude to the organizations and individuals who have donated funds to support the program; to the youth and the families that made last season such an incredible experience for all involved; and to all those that have recently signed on for the 2015 season that will make this another outstanding year for the program and the community. The 2015 Season begins with an Opening Day Ceremony at Tony Zupo Field at 8 a.m. on Saturday, th June 13 Lodi Junior Giants Program June 3, 2015 Page 3 of 3 FISCAL IMPACT: City Staff time is charged to home accounts as part of their normal duties. As a City -sponsored activity, there are no costs for the use of City facilities, so this could be represented as a loss of potential revenue. FUNDING AVAILABLE: $1,966 Lodi Junior Giants (1410.2371). Jordan Ayers, Deputy City Manager Attachments 1` .. -lilm ,'A ql DATA COLLECTION Parents - 57 Participants - 38 1 Coaches - 12 LODI PARENTS/GUARDIANS LEAGUE SUMMARY & MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS A total of 57 separate questionnaires were completed by parents, measuring change in their children who were Junior Giants participants. Average age of children: 8.37 Average # of years involved with Junior Giants: 1.00 League mean for parent satisfaction: 4.579 (+0.160) Overall mean for parent satisfaction: 4.418 Variables rated above the 4.0 threshold: 11 of 11 ANTI -BULLYING Parents were asked to rate the following anti - bullying variables on a scale of 1 to 5: Standing Up for Others: 4.281 Respect for Others: 4.456 Knowing What to Say or Do: 4.351 Note. Significant negative change to significant positive change Compared to the overall parent data, Lodi parents rated anti -bullying at 4.363 mean compared to 4.150 (+0.213) in the overall study. 4 BASES OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Parents were asked to rate the following character traits on a scale of 1 to 5: Integrity: 4.281 Confidence: 4.526 Leadership: 4.246 Teamwork. 4.509 Note. Significant negative change to significant positive change Compared to the overall parent data, Lodi parents rated character development at 4.390 mean compared to 4.078 (+0.313) in the overall study. -4 .. a 7F 171a Y.25f4dI:& i vv�%# +% y A close examination of the data reveal that Lodi parents are extremely satisfied with the league operations and believe that their children are benefitting from the curriculum being offered in character development, anti - bullying, health promotion/education, and reading. League data exceed the standards set by data from the overall sample of Junior Giants parents. LODI PARENTS/GUARDIANS: ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S WATER & SODA INTAKE HYDRATION STATION Lodi parents were asked if their children drink {more, same, or less} water as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 79% Same - 19% Less - 2% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 71% Same -29% Less - 0% A SODA -FREE SUMMER? Lodi parents were asked if their children drink {more, same, or less} sodas and/or sugar - sweetened beverages as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 16% Same - 19% Less - 65% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 14% Same - 33% Less - 52% LODI PARENTS/GUARDIANS: ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AN APPLE A DAY? Lodi parents were asked if their children eat {more, same, or less} fruit as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 68% Same - 32% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 59% Same - 40% Less - 0% DO VEGGIES STICK? Lodi parents were asked if their children eat {more, same, or less} vegetables as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 56% Same - 42% Less - 2% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 45% Same - 54% Less - 0% LODI PARENTS/GUARDIANS: ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & READING LET'S MOVE! Lodi parents were asked if their children engage in {more, same, or less} physical activity as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 88% Same - 12% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 76% Same -24% Less - 0% ROUND THE BASES READING! Lodi parents were asked if their children read {more, same, or less} as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 79% Same - 21% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 64% Same - 36% Less - 0.5% LODI PARTICIPANTS (WITH PARENTAL COMPARISON): ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR WATER & SODA INTAKE Note. Participants 8 years or older were asked to complete a survey, resulting in 38 completed surveys from participants in this league. Average age of children completing the survey for this league was 10.74 years. WATER - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they drink {more, same, or less} water as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 66% Same - 29% Less - 5% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 67% Same - 29% Less - 3% VS WATER - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children drink {more, same, or less} water as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 79% Same - 19% Less - 2% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 71% Same - 29% Less - 0% SODA -FREE - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they drink {more, same, or less} sodas and/or sugar - sweetened beverages as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 0% Same - 16% Less - 84% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 4% Same - 29% Less - 67% VS SODA -FREE - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children drink {more, same, or less} sodas and/or sugar - sweetened beverages as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 16% Same - 19% Less - 65% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 14% Same - 33% Less - 52% LODI PARTICIPANTS (WITH PARENTAL COMPARISON): ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION FRUIT - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they eat {more, same, or less} fruit as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 63% Same - 34% Less - 3% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 58% Same - 38% Less - 4% VS FRUIT - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children eat {more, same, or less} fruit as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 68% Same - 32% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 59% Same - 40% Less - 0% VEGETABLES - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they eat {more, same, or less} vegetables as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 58% Same - 37% Less - 5% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 39% Same - 52% Less - 9% VS VEGETABLES - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children eat {more, same, or less} vegetables as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 56% Same - 42% Less - 2% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 45% Same -54% Less - 0% LODI PARTICIPANTS (WITH PARENTAL COMPARISON): ASSESSING CHANGE IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & READING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they engage in {more, same, or less} physical activity as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 63% Same - 26% Less - 11% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 76% Same - 22% Less - 2% VS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children engage in {more, same, or less} physical activity as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 88% Same - 12% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 76% Same -24% Less - 0% READING - KIDS Lodi participants were asked if they read {more, same, or less} as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 58% Same - 37% Less - 5% Compared to overall Junior Giants participants: More - 58% Same - 36% Less - 7% VS READING - PARENTS Lodi parents were asked if their children read {more, same, or less} as a result of Junior Giants participation: More - 79% Same - 21% Less - 0% Compared to overall Junior Giants parents: More - 64% Same - 36% Less - 0.5% LODI COACHES/TEAM PARENTS LEAGUE SUMMARY & MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS ANTI -BULLYING Coaches were asked to rate the following anti -bullying variables on a scale of 1 to 5: Standing Up for Others: 4.500 Respect for Others: 4.667 Knowing What to Say or Do: 4.667 Note. Significant negative change (1) to significant positive change (5) Compared to the overall coach data, Lodi coaches rated anti -bullying at 4.611 mean compared to 4.210 (+0.401) in the overall study. 4 BASES OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Coaches were asked to rate the following character traits on a scale of 1 to 5: Integrity: 4.750 Confidence: 4.833 Leadership: 4.583 Teamwork: 4.667 Note. Significant negative change (1) to significantpositive change (5) Compared to the overall coach data, Lodi coaches rated character development at 4.708 mean compared to 4.272 (+0.436) in the overall study. LODI COACHES/TEAM PARENTS JUNIOR GIANTS INITIATIVES & OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH LEAGUE LEAGUE COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATION & LEADERSHIP Coaches were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with the following league elements on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being extremely dissatisfied; 5 being extremely satisfied): Note. Comparisons from overall results provided for reference Communication League 4.250 Overall 4.123 Diff +0.127 Organization & Leadership League 4.750 Overall 4.115 Diff +0.635 Overall Satisfaction League 4.750 Overall 4.397 Diff +0.353 A close examination of the data reveal that Lodi coaches are extremely satisfied with the league organization & leadership and believe that their players are benefitting from the curriculum being offered in character development and anti -bullying. League communication was comparatively higher than the overall results, and overall satisfaction with the league/program exceeded the average standard for coaches. Bank of America —�� LODI PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMENTS 1. This was our first year participating in Junior Giants, and we loved it! We will definitely be participating every year, and are looking forward to when our other children turn 5 so they can also!! :) 2. It is wonderful! 3. While I am aware that the first year of a program is the most difficult, I found the communication to be unclear at times. I do believe this will improve as the years go on because as the season progressed, so did the communication. Thank you for a wonderful season. 4. A little more communication would have been helpful. I understand first year so was learning along the way too 5. I am very grateful for this program and my child and myself look forward to next year 6. this program has been a positive impact on my child's life for the good and thanks for having this for our children 7. great program and cant wait until next year 8. We enjoyed having junior giants in our area and hope to have it again next year. 9. Coach Russ Lake always went above and beyond for the children. They all loved him, admired and respected him. I was so grateful to have him work with my son. 10. I just want to thank everyone that has made the Junior Giants possible here in Lodi. I wouldn't change 1 thing. Thanks again! 11. This is a very positive, all encompassing program making it possible for many kids to take part that otherwise might not be able. Thank you. 12. This was my children's first year and I have to say its an amazing program. I couldn't be more satisfied. Thank you so much 13. My children and I are grateful that we were able to participate in this program. It was extremely fun. A great way to help kids stay out of trouble. We are gonna register again next year if given the chance. 14. Only thing I think needs improvement, is the organization of everything. 15. This is a great program. Prior to this experience neither of my two kids participated in any activities outside of school. Thanks to this great organization, my kid loves baseball and has found something he is passionate about and as a parent it's such a great feeling. I love the fact that this is non competitive because it does not discourage my child, instead he has a great group of kids That encourage one another. It's really puts the fun back into the game. This was a great season and I thank the junior giants for such a great program! 16. My child was very very shy and had no interest in sports. My husband and I noticed the big change in her. She shows interest now and has really grown out of her little shell. She is also a pretty nervous kid but getting her out of her comfort zone in a non competitive, team work work kind of way has been perfect!! As parents, we are really happy with the progress she has made and this whole experience has really been a positive one for her and for us. We love the Junior Giants! 17. This experience has been great for my family we are a single parent family great interacting much needed Thank you Jr. Giants 18. This was my children's first year participating in this program and overall I really enjoyed the program. I understand that it is a first year program and their will be lil bumps here and there and its a program in the works. I greatly appreciate the program, coaches, volunteers and the cost, FREE. Living paycheck to paycheck does not leave money to pay fees for my kids to play sport thru the city so this has been a blessing. Thank you LODI PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMENTS 19. Great program. I really enjoyed this program as did my two children. 20. MORE PLAYERS FOR MORE AGE GROUPS 21. MORE AGE GROUPS 22. to encourage more parent participation. 23. Better communication from the organization and leadership and coaches 24. Great program 25. Awesome organization 26. This was our first year in Junior Giants and we look forward to many more years of participation! 27. Better communication. Some days we didn't know about practices or games. Emails came out an hour before which made it hard to organize schedules. We didn't get a schedule until the last two games. A schedule at the very beginning would have made it a little easier 28. 1 think that with the younger group --the 5-7 year olds, it is important to recognize the wide range of abilities such as reading. Many 5 year olds are not quite as proficient as their 6 or 7 year old team members. Perhaps a buddy system during practice to read to each other would work well. I think also for this age group, especially those who are new to the sport, it may be helpful to be more inclusive of parents that attend practices. There were many times I wanted to come out and help my son with form or something, but was not sure what the goal or plan was and didn't want to get in the way. I couldn't commit to being a team parent this year, but definitely felt compelled to help as the younger ones really need more one-on-one support for new things such as swinging a bat and throwing. Also, as a summer program, I felt the practices being held at the dinner hour in the heat of the day with many days over 100 degrees was not good for the children. Even "light" practices were hot. I would suggest a weekend morning schedule or a later schedule like 7pm when it is cooler. 29. Practices could be a bit more structured, they ran over at times. I also thought there would be more involvement with the kids and team parents. I didn't know what to expect really. I also don't think people's addresses should be on the team rosters. My son is having fun in the program. 30. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 31. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE THE PROGRAM IN LODI. THE KIDS NEED AND LOVE IT 32. 1 am so pleased with this program. I am thankful that it is now in Lodi, there was some unorganization. However, I'm sure the team will work out its kinks in the years to come, we are looking forward to next year. 33. This program is a wonderful program. I just wish the communication to the parents were a little better. Other then that the coaches and leaders were great! LODI COACH/TEAM PARENT COMMENTS 1. keep up the good work 2. The only thing missing was a schedule and it was hard since week to week we didn't know how to plan. Also in Lodi kids were in machine pitch and went down to tball for jr giants. Made a number of kids decide not to join 3. Good job, I can't wait for this to return again next year! 4. 1 think its a grate program look forward to next year 5. 1 noticed there was a Commissioners/Coaches website for the 2013 season. I didn't see one for 2014. The 2013 site looked very helpful. The dates for all of the functions and mile stones were given to us at the Commissioners meeting but it would have been helpful to have them listed on a website. Especially if they had to be changed. I noticed some of the leagues had former giants players available during the Strike Out Bullying week. It was not clear if that was available to all leagues. 6. 1 think there should be a way for us coaches, in our individual leagues, to survey the parents and coaches so we will know what changes to make for the following year. 7. 1 think that next season will be a lot better as it will be season number 2 for lodi and will be better organized. 8. Better communication from the director and representative. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-71 A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING AN ACCOUNT FOR DONATIONS TO THE LODI JUNIOR GIANTS PROGRAM AND ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM THE OMEGA NU SORORITY, ANDREW RIGOPOLOUS, AND THE WORLD SERIES TROPHY TOUR EVENT WHEREAS, the Junior Giants Program, the flagship program of the Giants Community Fund, is a free, non-competitive and innovative baseball program for boys and girls ages 5-18 years old, that since 1994 has provided at -risk kids a meaningful partnership with community- based organizations and an alternative to drugs, gangs and crime; and WHEREAS, the Junior Giants program now reaches over 22,000 children in 90 leagues across California and into Nevada and Oregon. The Community Fund provides all of the uniforms, equipment, and training necessary to run a league, as well as tickets to select Giants games so the youth can experience a Major League Baseball game; and WHEREAS, beyond teaching the fundamentals of baseball, the Junior Giants Program focuses on the four bases of character development - Confidence, Integrity, Leadership and Teamwork - and offers programs in Education, Health, and Violence Prevention through a framework that is integrated into the weekly practices and games for each team; and WHEREAS, the City of Lodi was awarded a Junior Giants league in 2014 that is operated as a City -sponsored activity through the Youth Outreach element of the Lodi Gang Reduction Intervention Prevention (LodiGRIP) Program in the Community Development Department; and WHEREAS, local organizations and individuals have donated funds in support of the City of Lodi's Junior Giants Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby authorize the creation of an account to receive donations in support of the Junior Giants Program and does hereby accept the donations from Omega Nu Sorority ($600), Andrew Rigopolous ($500), and the World Series Trophy Tour event ($866). Dated: June 3, 2015 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2015-71 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held June 3, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Kuehne, Mounce, Nakanishi, and Mayor Johnson NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None ti �r 1. NNIFER . FERRAIOLO City Clerk 2015-71