The Petaluma Youth Commission 2015-2016 Term Our Mission Statement: The purpose of the Petaluma Youth Commission is to be an advocate of the well-being and development of the youth in the city of Petaluma in the five areas of our mission: health, safety, recreation, jobs, and community engagement.
The Fall Park Clean-Up Get the youth to help clean up a park that had not been deeply maintained for two years Turnbridge Park, near Corona Rd 15 youth members of the community came Trimmed lower Tree Branches Cut down bushes and certain trees First Fall Clean-Up
Christmas Cheer Toy Drive Bins for toy collection were placed in the high schools: Casa Grande (collected 18 toys), Petaluma (6), and Valley Oaks (10) Total Toys Collected: 34 Toys were donated to the local toy drive Christmas Cheer
Fall Job Fair Petaluma High School Promotes seasonal job opportunities for youth About 10 employers Free for anyone Planning next Fall Job Fair for Casa Grande
The Spring Park Clean-Up Get the youth involved in cleaning up a park for the upcoming Butter and Eggs Day Walnut and Wickersham Parks 30+ youth members of the community came Mulch was spread around the trees and bushes The landscape was pruned
Chalk HeART The commissioners took part in a Senior Project that promotes healthy relationships Outside youth members helped the Youth Commission with their piece
The Spring Job Fair Casa Grande High School Promotes job and internship opportunities for youth Varying Job Opportunities About 7 employers Free for anyone Planning on next Spring job fair being at Petaluma High
Argus Courier Article LOCAL PARKS SPUCED UP By Julie Chojnacki, PYC member For the Argus-Courier Spring in Petaluma has come and along with it are the parades, antique fairs, car shows, and many festivals Petaluma is known for. Getting our local parks ready for these events is something the Petaluma community does with much pride. If you visited or drove by Walnut or Wickersham Parks on Sunday, April 17, you would have seen the Petaluma Youth Commission (PYC) sprucing up these parks in preparation for these many events. Supervised by the Petaluma Youth Commission Vice Chair Rachel Judkins, more than 30 youths were in attendance. These volunteers represented a cross section of local school including Casa Grande, Petaluma (high and junior), Valley Oaks, Cardinal Newman and Saint Vincent. Assisting were the adult members of the PYC, as well as other local businesses and churches. The day s tasks were to spread mulch around the tree and bushes, as well as prune and spruce up the landscaping. The end result was not only a great sense of accomplishment but two parks ready for its many visitors that will be enjoying them throughout the season. The PYC strives to help Petaluma s youth expand their horizons and gain meaningful real-world skills and experiences. Many of PYC s former youth members have moved on to prestigious colleges around the country, with some receiving scholarships, in large part because of the leadership skills they learned and put into practice with PYC. Others have moved into successful local careers using the skills they gained through their membership. The mission for this group is to advocate for the well-being and development of Petaluma s youth in the areas of health, safety, recreation, jobs and community engagement. This project, among many, gives the youth members the opportunity to work on their leadership, interpersonal and delegation skills. They develop a better appreciation of their community and realize how much effort is required to keep their community a safe and beautiful place where they want live and be active. In addition to Sunday s community enhancement project the PYC also has a Youth Job Fair planned in the next few weeks; which is developed and organized by the youth members. This year it will be hosted by Casa Grande High School on Wednesday, April 27, during their lunch hour from 11:45 to 12:45 p.m. Local youth employers will be in attendance, along with groups that cater to post-high school career opportunities. The PYC is open to youth, ages 13 to 20 years, and is currently accepting applications for new members. The application term starts in September and runs for two years. Visit the PYC s Facebook page or City of Petaluma s website for more information. Applications are due to the City Clerk by May 6, 2016.
Back Road Challenge The commission volunteered at a rest stop for the Sonoma County Backroad Challenge The commission was told by cyclists we were their favorite stop, had great energy, and were mature and polite
2015/2016 Presentations Thomas Cramer & Chalk HeART Navi Sidhu & Human Trafficking Cheryl Negrin & Teen Clinic at the Phoenix Mark Dunn & Financial Planning Nick Johnson & COTS Rafael Ayala & 10,000 Degrees Joe Rye & Petaluma Transit Carol & Christmas Cheer
Goals for the Future (2015-2016) Spring and Fall Park Clean Up 2 Job Fairs More Advertising (The commission participated in and volunteered at various causes around town, thus spreading publicity.) Back Road Challenge Bike Race More Presentations (Junior Commission for human rights, Christmas Cheer, Petaluma Transit, Chalk HeART, etc.)
Goals for the Future (2016-2017) On Site location meetings (ex. Public Works Tours, City Hall) Try new, different youth projects (color run, art show, etc.) Try new beneficial events for the youth (various job panel, college fair, etc.)