04-27-09 Community Relations Committee

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~1 _~ ~~ Community Relations Committee 2009 South Bend Common Council The April 29, 2009 meeting of the Community Relations Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, 2°d District Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. at 5:04 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., Danielle Sheeley of Sonnyvilla, Charrae Wilson of Sonyvilla, Cameron Jackson of Sonnyvilla, Brooke Gilbert of Sonnyvilla, Rob Staley from The Crossings, Dr. Karyle Green, Brown Intermediate Center Principal, Attorney Peter J. Agoistino, Sonnyvilla, Lucas Miles of Sonnyvilla, Josiah Martino of Sonnyvilla, Teresa Graves, Lead Outreach Coordinantor with the St. Joseph County Health Department; Jamie Loo with the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting. He noted that the Community Relations Committee is charged with the duty to foster relationships between public and private entities and to facilitate and growth in our community. He noted that the Committee members include Council Member Ann Puzzello who is at a neighborhood meeting, Dr. Varner, Council Member Karen L. White who is ill, and himself as Chairperson. He noted that Council President Dieter also called and is attending a neighborhood meeting. Council Member Davis assured those present that all of the information shared today would be shared with all of the Council Members. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. stated that two (2) main items are on today's Committee agenda, namely receiving an update on Sonnyvilla and receiving an update on the Lead Hazard Grant. He then called upon Josiah Martino, the founder of Sonnyvilla for a presentation. Sonnyvilla - Building Hope for Youth: Josiah Martino, the President of Sonnyvilla noted that their mission is to build hope for youth by "encouraging emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical maturity through secure and consistent family-style environments". He then presented apower-point presentation. He noted that: • As of February 2008 there were more than 55 vacant/foreclosed homes in less than a 1 square mile area of Brown Intermediate Center seeing this as a "Community in Crisis" • 72% of the Brown Intermediate Center school qualify for free lunches breakfasts • Fewer than 45% of the Brown students passed the ISTEP • 82 suspension/expulsion incidents per 100 students at Brown in the last school year • Sonnyvilla focuses on life skills; tutoring; and providing Houses of H.O.P.E (Homes Openly Providing Encouragement) after school to provide nurturing, caring & instructive enviroments where at risk students participate in life skills classes, academic tutoring, mentoring and career building