Minutes 10-22-20 Minutes of the Education and Youth Advisory Board Meeting
Held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 6 p.m.
Via Zoom Online Meeting
in Boynton Beach, Florida
Present:
Gregory Murphy, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison
Chevette Gadson, Vice Chair Kacy Young, Asst. Recreation and Parks Director
Lori Wilkinson
Francoise Calixte-Dieuvil, Alternate
Dr. Valerie Valcourt
Chevette Gadson
Dr. Vinola Rada
Diana Heitz, Alternate
Kevin Duterval, Student
Abby Murrel (arrived 6:39 p.m.)
Absent:
Shaquira Young
Jeremiah Young
I. Call to Order
Chair Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and then called the roll. A
quorum was present.
II. Pledge of Allegiance All pledged to the Flag
The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Ill. Approval of Agenda
There were no changes
Motion
Ms. Calixte-Dieuvil moved to approve the agenda. Vice Chair Gadson seconded the
motion. The motion unanimously passed.
Ms. Wilkinson announced after she posted the last fundraiser on Facebook, a former
Board Member Steve Waldman wanted to donate and sent a check for $50 earmarked
for the Borovy Award. He sent his regards and misses Boynton Beach.
Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2020
IV. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence
Ms. Claude announced there will be a regular voting student opening on the Board. Ms.
Hamilton-Kinlaw resigned.
V. Public Audience
Melissa Williams, introduced herself. Her mother and she have a non-profit dance
education and tutoring program inside the Boynton Beach Mall. They have been there
for six years and they work with youth ages K through 12. They connected with youth
services in the summer time. Currently, they are operating from her and her mother's
funds and from fundraisers. They look for opportunities to help youth and give them a
new outlook. The program addresses gang violence and teen pregnancies and is a
mentoring program. Anyone wanting more information can come by the mall and speak
with her and if they have any children or know of any that can benefit from the program,
they can come by as well. Ms. Williams commented her mother is a retired teacher and
she teaches at Hugh McKenzie School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. Chair Murphy
requested Ms. Williams, if there were any brochures available, to send them to the
Board. She thanked the Board for the opportunity to make a presentation.
Mr. Jacoby Waters, Founder and Executive Director of Young Men of Distinction,
announced they have a mentorship program for men 7 to 18 and their model is to create
Generational wealth and empowerment. They have been active in the 20/21 calendar
year and are currently in four high schools. He always wanted the program to be in
Boynton Beach since the group started last year. They offer a focus on physical,
financial and mental health. They are community based and he will meet them later
tonight as they are finishing up public speaking workshop. They partner with Forest Hill
High School and they are entering week three in the Art of Being a Gentleman. They
started in July with a workshop focused on mental health and trauma. He advised if
further information is wanted they should visit the website at youngmenofdistinction.org
or contact him. Chair Murphy asked if they have a presence in Boynton Beach and
learned last year, they participated in the Boynton Beach Parade, but with COVID it
could be a bit challenging. They have reached out to the schools. They have proof they
are still able to meet. They meet via Google Meet and have virtual workshops. Chair
Murphy encouraged him to forward any information they have to Ms. Claude.
Ms. Wilkinson asked if they have people to teach those classes or just the theory for
what they plan for the year. Mr. Waters responded he has people lined up for each
week. As to Forest Hill they will partner with NAMI for mental health and trauma
workshop. They will have a financial literacy piece and will speak about armed forces.
Trying to introduce them to the service and trade schools in Palm Beach County as not
all students are suited for college. This was started last year, but due to COVID, it was
cut-short. The participants have met with Lynn University and South University and was
supposed to meet with Palm Beach State College. Ms. Wilkinson wanted to ensure
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2020
they had a contact number as if they have contacts in that realm, the Board could
assist.
Dr. Rada asked how many were in the group. The group that meets outside the school
has 12 and the high school group has 25. Some are in the classroom and some are
virtual, but they meet via Google Meet.
Chair Murphy thanked Mr. Waters and Ms. Williams.
VI. New Business
A. Approval of Minutes of September 24, 2020
Vice Chair Gadson noted Mr. Murphy was mentioned as the Vice Chair but he is the
Chair.
Motion
Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Vice Chair Gadson
seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.
VII. Old Business
A. Outreach
1. Board Brochure
Ms. Claude did not receive corrections from the Board Members about the brochure.
Chair Murphy advised he will update the brochure. Ms. Claude will forward the Word
document to him so they can have it when the members attend SAC meetings.
2. SAC Meetings
Last month, Chair Murphy spoke about members attending SAC meetings to make
them aware of the EYAB and what the brochure says. Those meetings are still
occurring. He heard back from Rolling Green, but not Forest Park or Freedom Shores.
Will attend November or December SAC meeting to give a brief overview of what the
Board does. He needed members to sign up. Currently Citrus Cove and Forest Park
are open. Vice Chair Gadson volunteered to attend the Citrus Cove meeting. Dr. Rada
will do Forest Park. Chair Murphy heard from Rolling Green and would contact Forest
Park, and Freedom Shores will contact them for their dates. He will send the
information about the schools to the members so they can contact the schools to attend
a virtual SAC meeting.
Chair Murphy created a template for giving a presentation about who they are. The
template was taken from the brochure, which talks about the programs they have such
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2020
as the Borovy Scholarship, the volunteer bank, prior donation requests and what the
program is. Ms. Wilkinson introduced what the board is about. Current projects are the
Borovy Scholarship, the Youth Volunteer Bank and its all taken from the brochure and it
talks about the Board donations. Chair Murphy did not list the tennis carnival because it
is no longer held. It should be clear the Youth Volunteer Bank was done for a long time,
although it is no longer held.
B. Fundraising
Chair Murphy explained today was the second day of the fund raiser and they only had
five orders and he was disappointed, which were the ones he and Ms. Wilkinson
ordered. It was an easy way to raise funds. He encouraged the members to try to stick
to the mission of the Board and the members have to commit themselves to the mission
of the Board. They raise their own funds. He encouraged the members to find
resources they can tap into. Vice Chair Gadson explained she placed an order but did
not receive a confirmation. Chair Murphy explained no confirmation is given. He
thought it was an opportunity to make a lot of money. He asked each member to come
up with some type of fundraising ideas.
Dr. Rada announced she had a check for $100. She could drop it off to her or mail it to
the City to Ms. Claude's attention so Ms. Claude can deposit it to the Board's account.
Chair Murphy noted Ms. Wilkinson's comments at the last meeting as officials have to
get rid of their funds which can be donated to causes they support. He thought the
members could solicit support for the board. Ms. Claude will email the donation letter.
Ms. Wilkinson pointed out now was the time to ask.
C. Grants
Chair Murphy had no report.
Ms. Wilson asked if grants was something they could ask Debbie Majors about. Ms.
Claude thought she could provide resources, and she had sat down with Dr. North and
provided information. Ms. Wilkinson agreed to ask her.
Dr. Rada suggested asking the CRA. Chair Murphy explained their funds are earmarked
for certain things with redevelopment, but he would inquire about it.
Ms. Murrell entered the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
Ms. Claude noted they are a separate entity from the City. Ms. Claude will send the
contact information to Dr. Rada.
D. Bob Borovy Student Citizen of the Year Award
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Meeting Minutes
Education and Youth Advisory Board
Boynton Beach, Florida October 22, 2020
Chair Murphy explained they will proceed as normal with this award.
VIII. Future Meeting Dates: December 3, 2020, November meeting would fall on
Thanksgiving, so moved to December 3rd
Chair Murphy wished all a good Thanksgiving.
Ms. Murrell asked if they would be receiving minutes before the next meeting and
learned they would.
IX. Adjournment
Motion
Ms. Murrell moved to adjourn. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion. The motion
unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
&U-6,41,10 Sakti
Catherine Cherry
Minutes Specialist
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