Loading...
Minutes 07-08-98 wkshp MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM A, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. PRESENT Joy Currier, Vice Chairperson Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Blanche Girtman City Manager Stephanie Mingo-McCoy Eric Schnetzer ABSENT Ron Washam, Chairman Maynie L. Boles Belky Cruz Brenda L. Williams Sheilah White, Alternate ALSO PRESENT Commissioner Nellie Denahan David Fellows, Member of the Education Advisory Board Susan E. Day, Ph.D., GIC Projects Judy T. Brewer, PHR, Brewer Business Bureau, Inc. I. ROLL CALL Vice Chairperson Currier stated that a quorum was not present. Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager requested that the meeting proceed and be called an informational meeting since guests were present at the invitation of the Board and Commissioner Denahan. Therefore, Vice Chairperson Currier called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. II. OPENING REMARKS Dr. Susan Day took the podium and stated that she and Ms. Judy Brewer, in association with Florida Atlantic University Center for Urban Redevelopment and Empowerment, were present and represented the Boynton Beach Mall Training Program. Dr. Day presented a history of the project to the members and the audience. In 1995 she was requested to direct a countywide initiative for community service projects. Boynton Beach was one of the sites included and the project was the renovation of Barton Memorial Park in collaboration with the City, the Police Department, the Department of Juvenile Justice, local churches and teenagers from the area. When this project COMMUNITY RELATIONS INFORMATIONAL MEETING JULY 8, 1998 BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 8, 1998 terminated in 1996, the Boynton Beach Police Department First Offender Program moved to the Boynton Beach Mall. We were requested to meet with Mall management to determine what could be done with teenagers at risk in the West Boynton area for after school activities. In January 1997 a plan was developed for a career development program in retail training for teenage girls. Dr. Day stated their approach to career development is holistic and a lot of time is devoted to discussing relationships, as well as making wise sexual and physical health choices. Dr. Day said they are funded through various sources including County, State, local vendors and businesses. Ms. Mingo-McCoy inquired if the program was limited to children in the west Boynton area only? Dr. Day stated the program is open to all teens, provided they have transportation to the Mall. The program targets 16 year olds, but there are 14 and 15 year olds in the program as well. Even though the program targets females, there are also young men in the program. Ms. Mingo-McCoy inquired if the training ultimately will result in employment of the teen at the Mall? Dr. Day indicated that it did and they received a stipend in addition to on-the-job training. Ms. Judy Brewer took the podium to explain how the program actually works. The program is conducted on Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 in space provided by Burdines Department Store which is the orientation portion of the training for twelve weeks. Teens that do well in the orientation portion proceed to specialized retail training, which is limited to 10 teens and is highly competitive. This training is conducted on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 and includes a paid stipend. Currently training sessions are also being held on Fridays. Ms. Brewer stated that in the retail area a teen could achieve their career goals since this is an industry that does not require a college degree to become a success. The teens are placed in various positions that are not necessarily limited to sales. Vice Chairperson Currier inquired how large the classes were? Ms. Brewer stated that the maximum is 20 for the orientation program and a maximum of 10 for the specialized retail training per session. Ms. Brewer stated that the program continues to operate in cycles. New groups continue to be formed. Ms. Brewer explained that these youngsters are not the most motivated. Not all students complete the full course, which means that not all 10 students will accept permanent placement in the Mall. Ms. Brewer stated it is very important that these youngsters learn the basic skills of how to dress for a job; how to apply for a job; how to shake hands; and practical skills are very important. Also, if a youngster is not suited for the specialized training, they are referred to Publix and other places that will hire 14 year olds. Commissioner Denahan inquired how a youth becomes aware of the program? Ms. Brewer stated they are targeting the youth through the schools (mostly Atlantic High 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS INFORMATIONAL MEETING JULY 8, 1998 BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 8, 1998 School) and school career counselors. Also the program has received many referrals from Dorothy Davis, of the Housing Authority. Ms. Brewer stated that Ms. Anne McKuhen, a former Vice President of Mondi International Designer House, who brings years of expertise to the program, conducts the specialized retail program. Ms. Girtman stressed she would like to see more youngsters targeted from Santaluces High School. Ms. Girtman was informed that there are several students from Santaluces in the program, but the career counselor from Atlantic High School has been emphasizing more support for the program. Ms. Brewer stated that they did not do any mass advertising, as they did not want the program to attract the aggressive students. This program is targeted towards students who need help. Mr. David Fellows addressed the audience and stated that the Education Advisory Board is recommending that each SAC have on it a member from the Education Advisory Board. This would also be another means of making the schools aware of the various programs that are available to students. Ms. Brewer stated that there is a waiting list for this program and they are limited due to the size of the room that is being provided by Burdines. Mr. Fellows also recommended that the DECA and DCT program could be utilized and perhaps the program could be offered twice daily, afternoon and evening. Ms. Mingo-McCoy stated that these types of programs do not necessarily target the DECA student, as that student is a good student who can leave school after a half-day for employment. The students in this particular program do not have the school credits to only attend school half days. Ms. Girtman commended the program for targeting the caliber of student who is in need of help and direction. Commissioner Denahan inquired if the program had contacted the Congress Middle School. Ms. Brewer stated that the program did not want to target 14 and 15 year olds, although some students have been recommended for the program in this age group and are doing very well. Most students appreciate having something after school in which they enjoy participating. Vice Chairperson Currier thanked Dr. Day and Ms. Brewer for their informative presentation and stated she would update Chairman Washam on their program. Mr. Hawkins also thanked Commissioner Denahan for inviting the guests this evening, inasmuch as the Community Relations Board is organizing a job fair targeting the same types of youth. Vice Chairperson Currier invited Dr. Day and Ms. Brewer to return for another presentation at the next Community Relations Board meeting to be held August th 12. 3 COMMUNITY RELATIONS INFORMATIONAL MEETING JULY 8, 1998 BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JULY 8, 1998 III. JOB FAIR UPDATE Mr. Hawkins stated that the job fair being planned by this Board is quite similar to the program operated by Boynton Beach Mall Training Program. Mr. Hawkins stated that Chairman Washam was planning to have this Board formally adopt the job fair tonight by voting on it, but because a quorum was not present, it will have to be voted on at the August meeting. Mr. Hawkins presented a basic outline of what has been accomplished to date with regard to the job fair from the various workshops. Mr. Hawkins illustrated that the job fair will be held in two Saturday sessions. The job workshop will be held th October 17 and the job fair itself will be held October 24, 1998. Mr. Hawkins reviewed the topic areas to be covered at the job workshop session and stated that there will be mentors available that day as well. The mentors responsibility will be to stay in contact with the youth they are mentoring to assure that the youth shows up for the job fair the following week. When the youth completes the workshop, he or she will be presented with a certificate and will be given first preference for a job interview. Mr. Hawkins also stated that a small fashion show will be presented in conjunction with the “dressing for success” portion of the job workshop. Mr. Hawkins informed the members that Chairman Washam would like to schedule the th next workshop meeting Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hawkins also requested that the Clerk’s Office telephone the members of this Board and the other participants at th prior workshops to arrange for the workshop meeting on Wednesday, July 15 in Conference Room A. Next meeting to be held August 12, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the informational meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. ____________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 4