JMRPWG agenda 042899 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Carrboro , Chapel Hill , and Orange County Recreation Committee for At- Risk Youth Issues , Findings and Recommendations The Recreation Committee for At -Risk Youth has met since October, 1998 to determine .how the community of Carrboro , Chapel Hill , and Orange County could better provide recreation services to at-risk youth . At-risk youth , for the purposes of this committee , are defined as adolescents who are potentially at-risk with the legal system , have a high probability of dropping out of school without subsequent vocational training , and/or have inadequate support systems . The nature of recreation programs help participants build self-esteem , find positive outlets for leisure time , and learn new skills that can have a positive impact their quality of life . The Committee surveyed , our community' s three Recreation and Parks Departments , community mentoring programs , and other youth agencies and organizations that serve at- risk youth . Key issues , findings and recommendations were identified that require policy changes by elected officials to allow staff to initiate programs . The key issues voiced by most groups were as follows: 1 . a lack of adequate facilities restricts existing and future programs ; 2 . at-risk youth need transportation to facilities/programs ; 3 . a shortage exists of volunteers to serve as community mentors ; 44 new methods are needed to market programs to at-risk- youth ; 5 . a shortage exists of professional and trained staff, 6 . at-risk youth need independent , life skills training ; 7 . a need exists for more job opportunities for at-risk youth ; 80 efforts are needed for outreach to Hispanic youth in all programs ; 90 fewer programs are geared specifically for at-risk adolescent females ; and 100 a need exists for continued improvement in inter-agency support and cooperation , Issue 1 : Lack of Facilities Findings . • A lack of facilities ( e . g . gyms , pools , playing fields , and indoor , air-conditioned activity areas ) restricts the size and number of youth programs and summer day camps to meet program demands . • Teens require meeting spaces that are designated for their use only . Most recreation facilities are designed for multipurpose use ., Recommendations to Elected Officials : • Meet with School Boards to readdress the Facility Use relationship within three months to provide expanded use of school facilities . • Include the expansion of the number of summer day camps and youth programs in the 1999/00 Budget. • Investigate financing mechanisms that will ensure the construction of facilities for youth programs ,