Minneapolis You^th Are Here Buses are Rolling!!!

On June 18, 2007 the Minneapolis You^th Are Here buses began running in two Minneapolis communities: Near North/Camden and Phillips/Powderhorn. Despite a steady rain, the day commenced with kick-off events at the first stop of both routes. The south launch party was held at Peavey Park , with Mayor R.T. Rybak, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, Minneapolis Library Trustee, Laura Waterman-Wittstock and Minneapolis Park Board member Walt Dziedzic leading the celebration. The Twin Cities Drum Group, joined by Clyde Bellecourt performed and community members gathered to commemorate the launch of the bus.

The Northside launch party was held at Sumner Library where Minneapolis School Board members Peggy Flanagan and Pam Costain , along with Kit Hadley, Minneapolis Public Libraries director hosted the party. The Northside launch boasted spoken word and musical performances from Kwanzaa Community Church . A great turn out of youth and community leaders added to the ceremonies.

The You^th Are Here bus has been very well received by the community. To date, more than 300 youth have been registered for the bus, averaging 200 rides a day.

One parent commented that “the bus is a safe way for each of my three children to get to a different program, while allowing me to pick them up at a central place”. The You^th Are Here bus will run until August 24, 2007 from 12:00-8:00p.m. Planning and fundraising is underway to run both routes in the fall.

Please spread the word to colleagues and families! The bus is free; but registration is required. Registration forms can be obtained at the stops on the route or downloaded from the YCB website, www.ycb.org . Specific schedules and route information can also be found on the YCB website.

 

For further information on this service please contact 612-673-7271 or e-mail ycb@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

 

 

Minneapolis Youth Congress (MYC) Resolution Passes the YCB Board Unanimously

On June 6, 2007 , the YCB unanimously passed a Resolution drafted by the MYC implementation committee (9 youth, 2 adults) to officially initiate the MYC. The resolution explains the scope and functions of the Congress, age requirements of its members, service requirements and duration, and committees. The resolution also described the relationship between MYC and the public jurisdictions represented on the YCB Board. Therefore, the resolution is being brought to all of our partnering Boards for adoption.

Additionally, the resolution will begin its process of approval with the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners the week of July 30, 2007 . The resolution was set aside and will be re-presented at the September meeting of the Minneapolis Public School Board.

To date, the resolution has successfully passed the Minneapolis City Council, the Minneapolis Library Board, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

On October 18, 2007 the Minneapolis Youth Congress will convene for the very first time under its theme “No decision about us, without us”. In September, the members of the MYC will be trained in the functions of leadership and decision making by Wellstone Action Alliance.

Applications become available August 13, 2007 . Applications can be picked up at neighborhood schools, libraries, parks, and community centers. Additionally, the information is available at www.ycb.org .

For additional information, please contact Pam McBride at 612 673-2708 or Pam.McBride@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

 

YCB Convenes Partners to Create a Unified Minneapolis Vision for the State After-School Funding Grant

On July 9, 2007 the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced the availability of $5.3 million in competitive grants for the 2007 Minnesota After-School Community Learning Program “These grants will help establish and/or expand enrichment opportunities for children and youth across the state during those times when school is not in session” (MDE website, August 2007).

In response to this announcement the YCB convened members of its jurisdictional partners to develop a unified picture of Minneapolis that each partner could use in pursuing this grant, as well as to ensure non-duplication of programming efforts.

At the July 13, 2007 meeting representatives from the Minneapolis Public Schools , Beacons Network, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Minneapolis Public Libraries reviewed the grant guidance, identified data and demographic requirements, and the related sources of the data. Furthermore, geographical and population gaps in services were communicated. This preliminary discussion allowed each partner to determine their piece in the puzzle of serving youth in Minneapolis .