HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 7, 1993 (121).w
CITY OF LODi
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Presentation by Rick Souza, President, Board of Trustees,
Lodi Unified School District, Regarding Formation of a
Youth Task Force
MEETING DATE: April 7, 1993
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None required. Information only.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Mr. Souza and Mayor Pennino have jointly initiated
discussion with others regarding the formation of a
Youth Task Force. Mr. Souza will appear at this City
Council meeting to present a report on the concept. Mayor Pennino will be
making a similar presentation to the districts Board of Trustees at its
regular meeting of Tuesday, April 6, 1993.
FUNDING: None required at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Peterson
City Manager
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APPROVED.
THOMAS A- PETERSON ,oc � p*,
City Manager
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PMILI IPA PENNING, M6nnr
JACK A SIECLOCK
Mavor Pro Trrnporr
RANG DAVENPORT
STEPHEN I .-MANN
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CITY OF LODI
Lodi City Council Members
221 W. Pine Street
Lodi CA 95240
CITI HALL, 221 NEST PINE STREEI
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March 25, 1993
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LltN .Manager
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BOB %ItNATT
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Dear Council Members,
After a joint breakfast meeting several months ago, we discovered a mutual
interest in our desire to provide a coordinated effort to reach the youth of our community
with a wider variety of activities and educational opportunities
There are many groups and entities that have a common interest in our youth. It
is our hope that a community -wide youth task force can be the catalyst to bring these
efforts together and pool human resources, facilities and finances.
We ask that you review our proposal and endorse the effort so that we may
proceed with establishing the youth task force.
Many fine things have been accomplished for our adolescents of our community
over the years It is our intent to enhance and strengthen our community with a show of
support for youth.
RS.-PP/tin
Sincerely, r/
Rick Souza Phil Pennino
President Mayor
LUSD Board of Trustees City of Lodi
GREATER LODI AREA YOUTH COMMISSION
A joint project of the Lodi Unified School District and the City of Lodi.
CONCERN:
Recognize the unmet social and educational needs of area teens and young adults in the
greater Lodi area.
The basis for this concern includes_
• An extremely large, geographical school district including 12,000 teenagers.
• A high school drop-out rate of 20+%
• Increasing area juvenile crime, identification of numbers gangs and a recognizable
drug and alcohol problem among teens and young adults.
CHARGE:
By combining forces, establish a commurfty based committee to develop a creditable and
sustainable outreach plan to affect positive growth and change in the teen and young adult
population of the greater Lodi area. Further, the committee is charged to provide a
variety of solutions which crosses the boundaries of school and civic governments_
RESOURCES:
A Facilities
• High School Campuses
• Lodi Lake
• The Armory
• The Grape Pavilion and Stadium
• Hutchins Street Square
• Community Parks and Open Spaces
• Church Gymnasiums and Athletic Fields
B. Technicians
• City of Lodi Recreation Department
• City of Lodi Police and Lodi Community Gang Task Force
• High School Parent Clubs
• High School Administrative Faculty and Teaching Staff
• Area Community and Civic Organizations
• Area Church Youth Groups and their Sponsors
• San Joaquin County Sheriff Department
• Lodi Boys and Girls Club
• California Highway Patrol
• United States Armed Forces/Reserves
Page 2 Youth C-3mmission
MARKETING PLAN:
• Establish a multi -pronged approach to reach a wide diverse number of area teens and
young adults with a variety of powerful activities and resources which wi'I generate
interest and participation. Recognize the greater Lodi area as a force to communicate
with these young people and responsibly take a leadership role in developing their
futures.
• Acknowledge the current activities provided locally for teens and young adults and
evaluate methods to enhance and expand existing programs that will continue to work
with our youth. Be lavish in extolling the virtues of these efforts.
Mount a loud communication plan to insure the message of "we care" is read and heard
by a variety of peoples, young and old, throughout the targeted area Seek the
commitment from the local newspapers, radio and television media to be part of the
effort in highlighting our youth. Develop teen/young adult "pages" in the newspapers,
operate a radio station on the high school campuses and coordinate a television
program through the cable channel that features youth.
• Enlist the help of civic organizations, area church youth groups and a strong
commitment from the City and School elected officials to be risk -takers in their pledge
to work with teens and young adults.
PROGRAM POSSIBILITIES:
• Extend the current academic program: include skill building throughout the year during
non -school, one day clinics and Saturday school. Expand past the standard provincial
school of thought and offer our youth packages that are above the norm. Work
cooperatively with neighboring colleges to bring classes to the Lodi area which provide
marketable value.
• Tutorial Programs: Match students and adults as partners for study times utilizing local
resources.
• Create a Commonwealth Club for Youth: Mirror the success of the popular San
Francisco lecture -lunch program and develop it as an area tool to stimulate thinking and
action among our youth.
• Expand the traditional City Recreation Department: Recognize the successes of late
night basketball and sports teams while pushing past the traditional envelop and offering
youth concerts in the Grape Bow, summer dances under lights at the Lake or a Battle
of the Bands at Salas Park.
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11
Page 3 Youth Commission
• Establish an Awards Program: "Nothing Succeeds Like Success" - insure the people
who make the difference are recognized. Motivate gang members by singling out a
defector that made marked improvement through education, recognize a personal
effort by a local businessman in hiring teens.
FINANCING:
Requires little seed money raised from the private sector. Programs are designed to either
break even or generate a small amount of revenue. Staff and facilities are among
resources currently available from the community. Program can receive gifts from
constituents or businesses who are interested in supporting the effort.
COMMITTEE:
Eleven (11) membem jointly appointed by the President of the Lodi Unified School
District Board and the Mayor of the City of Lodi; both leaders will serve on this
committee as ad hoc members.
MEASURING RESULTS:
Results will be measured in terms of participation by our youth and feedback from the
community at large. Short and long term results need to be explored by the committee.
3/25/93