Workgroup: Youth at the Center
Jews United for Justice - St. Louis
Notes from August 29:
Thanks for your continued interest in the Youth at the Center Working Group of “Jewish Through Ferguson.” This is to let you know that we have a final volunteer sign up sheet (attached) and expect to have formal “job descriptions” for each of these tasks from the two agencies we are working with (Child Care Aware and United4Children) by next week.
If you already signed up for a volunteer position, you should be hearing from one of our committee volunteers in September to make final arrangements with the host agency for your volunteer position. If you have not yet signed up to volunteer, email me, Gail.
Again, in September we will follow up with you to get you the right placement for your based on your interests, expertise and availability.
Thanks so much.
Chairs: Gail Wechsler and Lou Albert
Notes from CAP ECE and Youth at the Center Meeting-June 8, 2016
Those attending: Renee Marver (Chair), Arlene Stiffman, Mary Berger, Denise Bobick, Marilyn Ratkin, Elisa Zeig, Terry Brandvein, Maris Berg, Gail Wechsler (Staff)
Update on volunteer opportunities: Sarah Kirschner of Child Care Aware was ill and unable to attend. She provided written information on volunteer needs for the Child Care Aware project in
North St. Louis County. Primary needs at this time are for volunteers to assist at scheduled training sessions for child care directors and for technical experts to be on call by phone to help with tech support (e.g. how to use Excel and Word, how to access the Child Care Aware website).
The committee has some questions, such as how and when volunteers would be trained, whether there would be a special orientation for them and whether they could practice ahead of time with the programs they would need to troubleshoot for the directors. We will find a time when both Sarah and Carol Scott are available to answer such questions.
Elisa at United4Children also indicated that her organization had a need for volunteers. United4Children early childhood centers don’t need volunteers for technical support, but the United4Children schools do need mentors and consultants to assist teachers, directors and other staff. One expected need starting in October will be for people who can assist schools in the steps they need to take to achieve accreditatation.
Arlene offered to create a form for potential volunteers to fill out (a resource sheet). Gail will get Arlene copies of the various “job descriptions” available thus far to help her get started on that task.
Legislative Updates: Renee provided an update on children’s issues and poverty issues. The update focused on which laws passed and which laws did not pass during the 2016 Missouri Legislative Session, which ended in mid-May. A handout summarizing this information is attached to the minutes.
Two specific legislative action alerts were presented to the group. They are:
--members should call Gov. Nixon’s office at 573-751-3222 to urge him to sign HB 2566, which would set up a quality early learning pilot program.
--members should contact Congressman Lacy Clay and Congresswoman Ann Wagner and urge them to oppose efforts to block grant the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act.
Rep. Lacy Clay: 202-225-2406
Rep. Wagner: 202-225-1621
NCJW announced that its annual Back to School Store, taking place on Sunday July 24, needs volunteers. The event takes place at Temple Israel this year and provides 1000+ children with school supplies, new clothes and other items so they can start the school year well equipped to grow and learn.
A meeting wizard request will be sent around to help us decide the date and time of the next meeting.
Thanks so much.
