HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-15-2001-5c4
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 15, 2001
Action Agen a
Item No. ~~ C.
SUBJECT: Resolution -~ Youth Voices
DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S); INFORMATION CONTACT:
Resolution Sharron Hinton, ext. 2300
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-0501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To provide the Board of County Commissioners with an update on the status of
Youth Voices.
BACKGROUND: Created in 1996, Youth Voices is a group designed to represent youth from
Orange High School, Chapel Hill High School and East Chapel Hill High School. Through
Youth Voices, students from the three high schools have an opportunity to interact and work
collectively on ideas or projects of interest in the community. All initiatives implemented by
Youth Voices are youth-run and youth-driven. The students determine their goals and projects
for each year.
The group consistently strives to promote awareness and increase its membership. Due to
graduations and other demands, the membership fluctuates. This year, with a core group of
five dedicated students, Youth Voices participated in the following activities:
1. Participating in the 2001 Youth Summit (sponsored by Orange County Human Rights and
Relations Department). Members engaged in the daylong dialogue focusing on youth
issues of discrimination and intolerance. They discussed the problems of racism and
intolerance and helped to identify possible solutions.
2. Making (50) Easter Baskets for children at UNC Hospital
3. Coordinating aFood/Supplies Drive for the Homeless Shelter
4. Coordinating aFood/Supplies Drive for the Animal Shelter
5. Participating in Carrboro's Make-a-Difference Day
6. Assisting with (6) Parents' Night Out Activities (sponsored by Orange County Recreation 8~
Parks Department)
7. Participating in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Teen Coalition -Youth in A.C.T.I.O.N.
8. Tutoring for Sewell Elementary School students
Although the agenda for next year has not been determined, members have expressed an
interest in working with the Communities in Schools (CIS) Program. In doing so, they will be
trained to serve as tutor/mentors for middle school students.
Recruitment efforts have focused on distributing flyers; routinely making announcements and
presentations at the schools; and coordinating a membership drive. Approximately 30 students
from the 2001 Youth Summit have expressed an interest in participating in next year's efforts.
A "Back-to-School" Membership Drive is also being planned for the fall.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive this update as
information.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH VOICES
WHEREAS, Youth Voices was created in 1996 by the Orange County Board of
Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Youth Voices is a group of high school students representing the
interests of Orange High School, Chapel Hill High School .and East Chapel Hill
High School; and
WHEREAS, Youth Voices is youth-run and youth-driven; and
WHEREAS, Youth Voices provides students with an opportunity to interact and
work collectively on ideas or areas of interest in the community; and
WHEREAS, Youth Voices strives to serve as a central "voice" for issues affecting
youth in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Youth Voices has been involved in several projects to benefit the
community, including participation in the 2001 Youth Summit designed to
determine the problems of racism and intolerance and identify possible solutions;
and -
WHEREAS, Youth Voices is committed to assisting Orange County in its. efforts
to address the needs of youth.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners extends its appreciation to the dedicated members of Youth
Voices and encourages their continued hard work and support.
This, the fifteenth day of May 2001.
Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners