Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:24:52 GMT Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:24:52 GMT
Here's an update on Pike County's youth mentoring program from coordinator Angela Tribus:

Since the program’s inception and launch last August, with the help of the Voluntary Action Center of NEPA and Cindy Beeman, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Director, the PCYC Mentor Program has successfully partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Through this alliance, the program has been able operate under the supervision, and with the standards and recognition, of a nationally recognized and acclaimed organization.

With their help, we have interviewed Big and Little candidates and families to assess their qualification for program participation, run criminal background checks and child abuse clearances to ensure the greatest possible child safety, participated in training sessions in regional and national headquarters, planned major fundraisers created matches between enrolled participants, and provided match support.

Bowl for Kids' Sake is a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pike and Wayne Counties. Grab a few friends and get a team together-we'd love for you to come and support the cause!

To date, there are 5 active matches in Pike County, with another 8 Bigs and 5 Littles enrolled and ready to be matched, and as many applicants as possible will be interviewed, cleared, and matched in months ahead. As always, thanks for your support and awareness of our efforts! If you know anyone who would like to be involved in the program either as a mentor or a youth participant, or you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at mentor@pikeyouth.org.]]> Sat, 10 Apr 2010 09:07:00 GMT
The dinner will be catered by local youth culinary talent and feature live youth entertainment. Tickets can be purchased or reserved at http://pcycdinner.eventbrite.com. Those who attend are asked to contribute to a collection of school supplies for less fortunate children in our area. To contact the Pike County Youth Coalition, email pcyc@pikeyouth.org or call (570) 798-PCYC.

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Media Contact:

Kaitlin Paul, Communications Director: press@pikeyouth.org// (845) 741-2754]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:59:00 GMT
Local citizens have joined together to establish a youth mentorship program in Pike County, part of the “United We Serve” initiative that kicked off this week. The initiative is a national effort by President Obama to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer, particularly focusing on four key areas: education, healthcare, energy and community renewal.

United We Serve officially launched on June 22 and will last 12 weeks until September 11, which will be marked by a national day of service and remembrance. “This summer, I’m calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation,” the President said in a video message on the initiative’s Web site, www.serve.gov.

On June 9, the Pike County Youth Coalition (PCYC) convened a preliminary meeting of over a dozen non-profit, civic and government leaders to discuss the initiative and decide what type of volunteer project was needed in the County. PCYC’s Executive Director, Nick Troiano, was invited to be part of a group of service organization leaders that were briefed on the initiative by First Lady Michelle Obama in late May, giving the group ample lead time in planning.

“When we began this process, we did not know what type of project we were going to undertake,” Troiano said. “But we did recognize that if we were to make a significant impact on any issue our community faces, it will take a group effort,” he said.

Using the recently completed Wayne/Pike Needs Assessment as a foundation, the group decided that a mentorship program that paired responsible citizens with at-risk youth is both needed and would greatly benefit the County. “Youth Support” was identified as one of the top five priorities in the assessment.

“This project will meet a real need in our County, and I applaud the group for its efforts,” said Harry Forbes, Pike County Commissioner and a member of the project’s steering committee.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, young people who are mentored by a volunteer, even for just a few hours per week, will improve their performance in school, increase their self-confidence, and be less likely to consume drugs or alcohol.

"Anytime that we as citizens can keep our youth on the right track and involved in worthwhile activities, the less likely it is that they will take a wrong turn toward becoming unproductive citizens,” said State Representative John Siptroth, one of the project’s supporters. “I encourage community members to become involved,” he added.

The project’s steering committee is seeking ideas and input from the community, including those who want to help organize the program. They are encouraged to contact mentor@pikeyouth.org. More information, including a sign up form for young people looking for a mentor and volunteers who are interested in mentoring, is located at www.pikeyouth.org/mentor.]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:02:00 GMT Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:07:45 GMT
Pike County Summer Service Initiative

To Whom It May Concern:

I recently had the honor of joining the First Lady in Washington, DC for a meeting to discuss a new service initiative that will be launched next month by the Corporation for National and Community Service. I am excited to share what I have learned with you and to gather your feedback. Hopefully, you and/or your organization will be interested in becoming involved.

The Summer Service Initiative is designed to engage citizens across the country in high-impact, community-based service projects. It will be announced with a call to service by the President in early June and take place between June 22 and September 11. The focus will be on economic recovery, particularly around education, energy/environment, healthcare and community renewal. Its purpose is to bolster civic engagement and to establish public/private partnerships to develop sustainable service opportunities for all Americans.

At a time when we face tremendous challenges, Americans have demonstrated a desire to give back at levels unprecedented in decades. The initiative aims to funnel this energy into meeting growing social needs, town-by-town and city-by-city. The White House and federal agencies will be generating excitement about this national initiative and providing resources through www.serve.gov; it will be our task to locally develop one or more ways to engage the many citizens that are expected to become interested and look to contribute in their own backyard.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for community leaders, volunteers and organizations in Pike County to come together to work on a project this summer that focuses on specific issues within our own community, while engaging and expanding our local volunteer base. The recently completed Wayne/Pike Needs Assessment provides a great place to start in identifying one or more areas of focus for such a project.

You or a representative from your organization are cordially invited to attend a meeting on Tuesday, June 9 at the County Administration Building’s basement conference room to brainstorm and plan a project for the summer service initiative. The meeting will either be held at 9:00 AM or 7:00 PM, depending on when more people are able to attend. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, indicating if either or both times are preferable. The invitation is open, so please feel free to forward this to any person or organization you believe might be interested.

It is my hope that we can create a consensus at this meeting about what kind of project we can jointly launch on June 22 and how we each can contribute to its success. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Nick Troiano

Executive Director, PCYC]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 07:12:21 GMT
"I am writing about how kids should have a say in the school board because they are going to school not the parents. I asked a couple of the school board runners about their opinion and I think that students should have a say in their school. Having the kids do this is an experience and good help for the future."

James thinks students should have the right to vote in school board elections since they are directly affected by board policy (as he says, not their parents). He says that only students in 6th grade and up should be allowed to do so because "most younger kids do what their parents think."

Kudos, James! What an intriguing proposal. We'll keep you updated on the candidates' responses.]]> Mon, 11 May 2009 05:20:00 GMT ]]> Sun, 10 May 2009 12:23:32 GMT
We will be recapping our first year, setting goals for our second, and taking care of a few administrative tasks, including electing a new Board of Directors. If you meet PCYC membership criteria and are over 18, you are eligible to run for a spot on the board. Please email Nick Troiano (director@pikeyouth.org) to add your name to the ballot.

Several members from the Pike County Library Board of Directors will be making a presentation to members and soliciting feedback on the library system and the proposed new branch in Milford. Other guests have been invited, so please check back for updates.

If you would like to add any issue or idea to the agenda, please free to email.

If you are a current member, you will have an opportunity to pay dues for 2009-2010, and if you are looking to become involved, you can sign up. For those who cannot attend, minutes will be sent out shortly after the meeting along with a link to pay dues online.

We will be sending out more details closer to the meeting, but please RSVP at your earliest convenience through Facebook or email.]]> Tue, 05 May 2009 06:49:49 GMT Sun, 03 May 2009 07:42:57 GMT
Wednesday, April 29th at Shohola Elementary School:

7-8pm Candidates will speak and answer questions

8-9pm Meet & Greet in the cafeteria for cake and coffee

On Facebook? RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=90860586411&ref=mf]]> Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:56:46 GMT