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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-29-YAC-rpt (2).pdf i 'ii3us/1 SUITARY OF ACTIVITIES OF TE LEXINGTON YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION 76 - ' The 1976-77 Lexington YAC began operations with a newly- structured commission consisting of seven formally-appointed adult members, two ex officio members, and nine student partici- pants. The remarkable change between this year's commission and that of the previous year was that adults were selected from a broader group of citizens and not limited to representation from a specific organization. The primary requirement for membership was a sincere interest in the youth in Lexington. The new struc- ture proved workable, and the year's program was nbanced by the closer working relationships and better coordination of this com- mission. It is noteworthy that the usual attrition rate of parti- cipation and interest of the members was considerably lower with this dedicated group. Only one adult member became inactive by mid-January, while most of the ex officio and all of the students remained active participants until the end of term. The commission was faced with several important decisions early in its tenure: (1) the need for formulating and implementing direct service projects in the absence of a youth director or human services coordinator for the town, and (2) the establishment of priorities for projects. It was decided that certain projects would be undertaken directly by the commission, and that study committees would be formed to research projects designated as priority needs for the town. To implement these decisions, the commission met -2- weekly from October through May. PROJECTS 1. The YAC studied and evaluated the Report of the Subcom- mittee on Youth Programs and Services submitted to the Selectmen by the Drug Advisory Committee. A semm2ry of comments and recom- mendation s based on this report was submitted to the Selectmen in November. Through this summary, the YAC strengthened and augmented the Drug Advisory Committee 's recommendations for the use of Re- Place as a broader, contractual social service for thu town, the need for a youth director to coordinate services, and the advisa- bility of replacing both the present YAC and the Drug Advisory Com- mittee with a By-Law Youth Commission that would incorporate and extend the duties of both groups. 2. Th, YAC studied the Community Relations Committee final report, and incorporated many of its disagreements with this re- port into planning specific projects for the remainder of the term. 3. A one-day Youth Town Meting was held in March to debate important warrant articles. This meeting, in which more than 400 students participated, was enormously successful in drawing out some students who had never before entered into coordinated school or town activities and, by working with a subcommittee from Town Leeting Members As Social Studies Department faculty mem- bers at the high school, and with different studonb or ,anza-cions , e-icourged students tn fo1lo e lar Town hoeting debates and to gain a better understanding of their own town go-vrnE:nt and issues facing the voters. It was later found that the decisive votes on each warrant article were accurate indicators of vDterssentiments. It's hoped this Youth Town heating he An annual affair. -3- 4. One of the primary concerns of the YAC had been the high unemployment rate among young people and the need for a service that could connect unemployed youths with .vailable jobs . To fund such a service, the YAC sponsored a rock concert in coordination with the senior class at the high school. Three factors made this event possible and successful: (1) a rock group known as the "Pousette-Dart Band" was receiving national acclaim and a Lexington young adult, John Curtis , was a member of this group. (2) 3ecause YAC is a town-supported organization, private funds and guarantors were obtained as sponsors (Friends of the Lexington Youth Advisory Commission) , and (3) the senior class helped YAC in all possible ways. The concert was a financial success , and enabled the YAC to hire a staff member to maintain an employment service and to com- pile a youth activities and affairs directory for Lexington. 5. With the proceeds from the Pousette-Dart concert, the Youth Advisory Commission formed HAY ("Hire-A-Youth") . Using office space and telephone service donated by the town, the YAC hired staff and did the outreach and advertising necessary to setting up an employment service. To date, HAY has placed 104 young people in jobs, an impressive record considering the office did not open until late June. It received 115 job offers and 100 applications from students. The biggest handicap experienced by HAY was its late start, which limited its advertising through the schools, Next year it is hoped it will begin earlier and thus be able to use the the school communications channels to roach more students . 6. From the YAC 's employment study group, a comprehensive and useful guideline was written to help determine salary levels for jobs available to young people. This guideline was published in the Lexington Minuteman, and has been widely used by both adults and young people in negotiating wages and as a reference guide in the Hire-A-Youth Office. 7. The Youth Directory, an information and referral source which was published in 1971, is presently being updated and extended, and should be ready for distribution in September. This directory will provide Lexington youths with a comprehensive listing of all youth resources in Lexington and surrounding areas . 8. The YAC studied restitution programs for young offenders and possible alternatives to sentencing. This included meetings with Mr. Saltonstall of the American Arbitration Association and with Sheriff Buckley to discuss various alternatives . The YAC hopes that the information compiled will stimulate further investi- gation by the Youth Commission. 9. Other results of YAC activities that are not so easily evaluated are better public relations with the town, the schools, and with the students. Many students voluntarily joined the YAC and acted as resource persons. They suggested areas in which the YAC could be useful, and many priority needs surfaced from these discussions. A need for more work with young people concerning increased drinking problems among students, the need for better outreach programs to alleviate student hostility and isolation, -5- and a better understanding of student legal rights and responsi- bilities as voters and citizens emerged as important concerns. As we terminate our tenure and conclude this report, we wish it known that when the Youth Advisory Commission supported the establishment of a By-Law Youth Commission it was with the under- standing that a student advisory group is an essential component for success . The foregoing report has been approved, and submitted to the Select- men, Town of Lexington, by the Lexington Youth Advisory Commission, on August 29, 1977. Mary Fran Anderson Student Members: Nancy Abelmann Winston E. Flynn Ellen Boyle Millie A. Stevens Laura Gallant Stephen Politi Patti Lynah Margaret Cole Peter Miller Jeffrey Spencer Martha Eddison Heather Levi Patrick Abegg Ex Officio Members : John J. Shine Daniel F. Hoag Selectman: Mary Miley