Calling for Creative and Sustainable Initiatives Addressing more Comprehensive Programming Youth Unemployment

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Oliver J. Davis President City of South Bend Common Council 441 County-City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Blvd (574) 235 -9321 South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Fax (574) 235 -9173 http: //w ..southhendin.gov Derek D. Dieter Vice - President April 23, 2014 Valerie Schey Chairperson, Committee The South Bend Common Council of the Whole 4th Floor County -City Building Tim Scott South Bend, IN 46601 First District Dear Council Members Henry Davis, Jr. The City of South Bend has seen its fair share of violence over the past Second District During the last council meeting on April 14, 2014 1 made some At Large recommendations to the Deputy Mayor Mark Neal that there was an issue Valerie Schey with investment into our youth. The recommendation that was made Third District included but was not limited to a stronger partnership with the South Bend Community School Corporation giving more access to schools resources Fred Ferlic Fourth District such as the use of swimming pool, open gyms, and developing strong At Large vocational trade programs. The other recommendations were summer job David Varner programming, entrepreneur programs and year round internships. There Fifth District should also be a focus on bridging the gap between new residents and the city by providing them a catalog of services through a 'Welcome Wagon' Oliver J. Davis approach that was created by the city more than 40 years ago. Sixth District necessary revenue in excess of $10,000 for programming with added staff The City of South Bend has seen its fair share of violence over the past Derek D. Dieter several months in which 30 shootings have occurred since the new year At Large started. Clearly, there needs to be more focus on investing into our youth. Gavin Ferlic Programming over the summer has always been a priority however the At Large funding has never reflected the priority. The Charles Black Center which employs 4 full time employees and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Karen L. White Recreational center which employs 5 full time employees, have more than At Large 150 youth visiting these sites per day during the school year which is a large undertaking with only 3 -4 full time staff members on payroll. So to ensure that our youth have adequate resources during those months I am asking that the funds reflect the need. It is imperative the Charles Black and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreational centers receive the necessary revenue in excess of $10,000 for programming with added staff to ensure optimal programming over the entire fiscal year.