HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-07-YSC-min Youth Services Council minutes February 7, 2007
Present: Becky Kosterman, Lauren McSweeney, Chantal Hersey, Norman Cohen, Dana
Allen Walsh (new representative of the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association), Chris
Casey, Bill Middlemiss, Joe O'Leary, Tim Johnson, Kate Cremens-Basbas, Bill Blout,
Sheila Butts, Helen Cohen, Julie Fenn
Call to Order Becky Kosterman called the meeting to order at 3 05 p m. She announced
that Amy Berger, who has represented Lexington private therapists since the YSC began,
has resigned. The group expressed their deep appreciation for Amy's contributions and
wished her well. Becky asked us to think of possible replacements and e-mail her any
suggestions
Discussion Youth Substance Abuse problems
Coming out of the Youth Risky Behavior Survey, events at last year's Prom, and the
recent fatal car accident, the group focused on bringing all our resources together to
address the substance abuse issues in Lexington.
Two general observations were shared
1 These problems are not simply a school issue, they are a community issue,
requiring the attention of parents, students, police and fire departments, and
all Lexington residents Joe said that it is important that our efforts not be seen
simply as a reaction to the tragic car accident
2 These problems are not new Several people who grew up in Lexington
reported that there had been more serious problems 20-30 years ago, but we need
to tackle today's serious problems
The rest of the meeting considered ways to motivate parents, students, and the larger
community to be proactive in reducing substance abuse Becky reported on current
efforts by P T A.'s, the Center for Parents and Youth, and herself to have parent groups
and how few parents attend most of them. Chantal (representing the students) said that
peer pressure to get involved in risky behaviors is very strong, and that students are
unlikely to listen to their own parents
Bill B stressed the need for outreach and peer leadership He also advocated for a
youth center, although the group felt that this project is several years away, partly
because of all the demands on town finances Dana supported the peer leadership
approach, which she has seen among youth groups in religious institutions Kate said
that the efforts need to be grassroots, and that part of the answer is having enough
adults around and paying attention to the safety of youth. Chantal mentioned the
Battle of the Bands and Kate suggested that people drop in on the Battle of the Bands this
Friday, the 9th
2
Attention focused on the upcoming proms as a short-term project, start small and build on
success Julie described the prom at Winchester; where students come to school with their
parents, sign in, and attend a reception together before the actual prom. Tim talked about
the need to have a direct intervention at events like these, not letting risky behaviors go
without consequences Chris affirmed the need for reaction and consequences.
Chris, Bill M. and Lauren will together contact Mike Jones, principal of Lexington High
School, and work with him and the high school deans on ways to make this year's Proms
safer for everyone, such as providing buses as Dr Jones suggested in a recent letter to
parents Though everyone recognized that genuine improvement will take much time and
effort, a first, visible project such as this could jump-start a larger campaign.
The group agreed to meet again next Wednesday, February 14, at 3 00, at the Senior
Center Chris Casey will invite Dr Jones
The meeting was adjourned at 4 10
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Cohen