Below is a link to a video and petition I made to raise awareness about the issue. I'd encourage you to check it out. To be clear, this was not sanctioned by or necessarily represents the views of PCYC. But as a youth advocacy group, we see it beneficial to highlight youth advocacy efforts. If you have one to tell us about, email us.

The Video

The Petition

(The video has the same soundtrack as one recently viewed by the school board about preparing kids for the 21st century, perhaps this will also catch their attention: we can't prepare kids for any century if we throw them out of school).

Post by Nick Troiano

MILFORD, Pa. -- Eighteen-year-old Zach Pearce has an extra item on his to-do list before heading off to college next month: Help get John McCain elected president.

Recently elected as chairman of the John McCain for President Campaign in Pike County, Pearce is also getting ready for his first semester at college, enjoying his last bit of free time and working a summer job.

For the next four months, the Westfall Township teen will be balancing his college schedule with rallying Pike County Republicans in hopes of securing a seat in the Oval Office for Republican presidential candidate McCain.

The full article can be read here: http://www.njherald.com/story/29MCCAIN-web .

Now, both presidential campaigns are being spearheaded by DVHS graduates who are now college freshman.

Dear Student,

You are cordially invited to a Roundtable Discussion hosted by the Pike County Youth Coalition at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 2nd at the Dimmick Inn and Steak House, where you will be provided a free lunch. It should last between one and two hours. There are fifteen seats available.

We will be discussing current student issues at Delaware Valley High School, specifically the teen pregnancy issue and the district's drug/alcohol policies. Your thoughts will be completely anonymous and incorporated into the research papers we are currently working on.

We would like to get a student perspective on the problems that exist in the district today. So if you are a current or past student of DV, especially one who has first hand experience with either topic, we would appreciate your attendance.

If interested, please reply to pcyc@pikeyouth.org with your contact information and we will get back to you. Feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone who you think would be willing to attend.

Hope to hear from you,

Eric Neumann Chair, Schools and Education Committee of PCYC

The Pike County Youth Coalition attended the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Breakfast at Earhardt’s Restaurant, Friday July 25, 2008. Invited to sit in on the Youth Focus Group, PCYC continued making the group a voice in the community advocating for young people by talking with many representatives from Pike and Wayne Counties about youth issues. The positive responses given by not only people in the area, but outside also, only reassured us how worthwhile active participation is in these types of community forums.

Greg Bonk, founder of HMS Associates (a research and planning consultant agency), spoke of the need for developing this community needs assessment so that all area organizations, including Wayne Hospital which is spearheading this task, can use the data to improve and focus services. This is the second time PCYC has participated in the needs assessment. This time, issues mainly revolved around the health plan for Pike-Wayne, but also touched on sustaining our region’s economic vitality for both counties and the need for increased recreational opportunities for young people.

While in the Youth Focus Group, the PCYC witnessed that many of their ideas are shared with other groups, including a variety of Wayne County School Districts. Dr. Joan Hudak, Director of Secondary Education at Wallenpaupack School District only echoed sentiments for continued youth advocacy. She obviously loves the Northeastern PA region and wants to see more additions to the great things already available in the area - she said that is achieved by looking at ourselves as a region, not necessarily individual communities. She recognizes the talent of outgoing graduates and the need to retain such minds in the community.

Topics discussed in the YFG included transportation (a theme witnessed throughout all focus groups), parent community awareness and knowledge of offers given by said community, brain drain, the establishment of a youth community center, and the availability and access of behavioral and medical services. Overall, the Breakfast was a pleasant and crucial event along the path to PCYC success.

Organizers for the event said that our presence brought new issues to the table that were not discussed in years previous and that PCYC is a testament to how beneficial youth empowerment and engagement can be in he community.

Post by Sam Dutkus, PCYC Chairlady

From the Eastern Pike Regional Police blotter in the Pike County Courier this week, it is reported that 16 people under the age of 24 were arrested in Pike County between May 17th and July 9th. This represents over half of all the arrests that were reported in this time frame, for crimes ranging from theft to disorderly conduct.

Though many were from outside of the area, it is troubling that young people are disproportionately committing various crimes in our community. There is no easy answer to this problem. The district magistrate and the youth coalition are pondering ways to engage these young members of society as they are going, or when they have gone, through the criminal justice system so to exert a more positive influence in their lives. I would be interested to see what punishments are handed down for these crimes, and would hope that community service is a part of any judgement. Any ideas?

Post by Nick Troiano, Executive Director