pages: SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2008-04-01.pdf, 7
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SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard | 2008-04-01 | 7 | Special Minutes of the SSHRB, April 1, 2008 Meeting Page 7 Wright - WISE will use the funding to serve Alamedans. There are already a number of Alamedans on our waiting list. We will also advertise within Alameda. Wasko - Do you (WISE) have a site location here in Alameda? Cross - No, but when we have gone into other areas, we have partnered with other organizations to hold our trainings there. It allows us to do cross referrals and limit travel time for our participants. Chen - The CDBG process is very complex and we are lucky to have it here in Alameda. James - I have a couple of comments and a recommendation. I should first state publicly that I am a former employee of the Alameda Boys & Girls Club. I worked there for about four years. I was really impressed with the youth who are hear tonight, and I think it speaks volumes about the youth and the AIA program. As I suggested at the previous meaning, I think we really need to focus on youth empowerment. I would have put that word, empowerment, in three or four times if I could have. With that said, I want to talk about my first hand observations being an employee there and my observations since leaving the West Alameda Teen Center (WATC). When I look at the information listed regarding the programs they provide, it looks like fiction to me. Not only did I initiate a number of those programs listed; they have not been there since I left. Students are calling me and myspacing me asking if they can come to my house to record because the program no longer exists at the Boys and Girls Club. Also there have always been concerns about the number of members and attendance. To see the numbers listed it is very questionable to me. Anyways I' m going to save some of my comments for the City Council. I recommend that of the $36,500 allocated to youth development, $19,000 goes to Alternatives in Action considering that they will be unable to do the academic tutoring program because they have received less than they requested. Additionally, I would recommend $3,000 for FAA, with the remaining money $14,000 to the Alameda Boys and Girls Club. Wright - Staff asked James prior to this meeting if he was comfortable being a former employee and sitting on this side of the Board. You should know that staff have been evaluating this feedback that we' ve received from James and are looking to see what it is we are seeing. You also need to understand that the Boys and Girls Club is in a transition location, so they may not be performing at peak performance. Wasko - Being that the club is in a development state, transitioning, perhaps this is an opportunity for us to at this time we divert funds for now? Wright - If the Board would like to suggest that to the City Council that is fine, but staff will still continue with its recommendation. Although performance issues have been brought up, we have not fully demonstrated their validity-everyone gets a chance to meet their goals. They have met their goals and to say they should not receive funding Wasko - That is not what we are saying. If they are getting this much funding and their facility is not as big as it was, and historically they have been receiving this much funding, than maybe we should look at it proportionately to their services. Villareal - James concern about emphasizing education and empowerment is a nationwide one, I strongly believe that we need to promote tutoring and similar academic programs that help students of | SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2008-04-01.pdf |