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Community Relations Committee Meeting <br />Apri129, 2009 <br />Page 3 <br />• Tutoring on Wednesdays 6-8 pm with a family meal <br />• Tutoring on Monday, Thursday & Friday <br />• Building Trades Monday through Friday noon - 3 pm <br />Mr. Martino then introduced Sonnyvilla students. <br />Charrae Wilson stated that she was in the 8TH grade and goes to one of the girls' Houses of Hope. <br />She had Ds and Fs before she started going to a Sonnyvilla Home and now earns As and Bs. She <br />has "learned what it means to be a better person -that you do it for yourself'. She stated that she <br />believes that abandoned houses need to be addressed. She would like to be "the head prosecutor <br />some day so that she can get drugs off the street. I want to bring hope to the world". <br />Cameron Jackson stated that he is 14 years old and in the 8~' grade. He goes to one of the boys' <br />Houses of Hope. He stated that he has bonded with his group leaders and is now on the honor roll. <br />He has learned about respect and wants more positive activities in our community. <br />Mr. Martino stated that Sonnyvilla is taking pride in: <br />Saving neighborhoods so that they are strong and stable - by teaching life skills by <br />implementing what Steven Covey calls "having new eyes" <br />Successful collaborative partnerships <br />Sustainability factor of living in the community so that it becomes a place where you can get <br />hope <br />A two-minute video then was presented. All persons present were then introduced and handouts <br />were provided (copies attached) <br />In response to questions from Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., it was noted that there are 5-6 <br />students per home; that there hope is to have HOMES in every middle school in the city. Mr. <br />Martino noted that his father grew up in an orphanage in Italy. He visited that area and after many <br />talks with Mr. Agostino believed that Sonnyvilla must be created. More sponsors and partners are <br />needed. He saw middle school as the time when there is a fork in the road to help youth. <br />Dr. Green noted that they used to have weekly fights, now they have just a handful, and few <br />expulsions. She noted that the impact of Sonnyvilla is positive because of the many partnerships <br />which Sonnyvilla has fostered. Grades in the students who are a part of Sonnyvilla have improved. <br />They have reached 32 students, and have a long waiting list of those who want to participate. <br />Mr. Agostino noted that Josiah Martino's level of commitment is critical to the success which <br />Sonnyvilla has had to date. He lives in the community and the program is bringing back a <br />neighborhood. Zoning codes should be reviewed to make sure that residential uses would be <br />permitted above store shops. Tax abatements need to be reviewed to assure that replatted lots could <br />receive residential tax abatement to create new homes. Elected officials need to hear comments like <br />