A bit of my activist history from way back when…
[This was the Kid’s City project I spent most of my senior year working on, along with my buddy Oscar De La Torre and others… it was a wonderful experience, part of what made me believe that civic activism was a worthwhile activity that could produce results.
Ironically, it appears that the youth center parts of program were killed a couple of years later, because the staff and youth involved were “too radical” for the City Council’s tastes.
However, the alumni of that program still play a major role in the community there and elsewhere. Youth leadership mentor programs have very long term payoffs.
Regards,
Thomas Leavitt]
http://www.santa-monica.org/cityclerk/council/agendas/1989/m891128.html
November 28, 1989
4-A/11-A: PRESENTATION OF THE FINAL REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY
THE SANTA MONICA COMMITTEE FOR YOUTH: Presented was a report to the
City Council by the Santa Monica Committee for Youth. Mayor Zane
presented commendations to the members of this task force. Mayor Pro
Tem Finkel moved to consolidate Item 11-A with this item. Second by
Councilmember Katz. The motion was unanimously approved. The
following members of the Santa Monica Committee for Youth: Lupe
Castro, Bob Harvey, Pam Brady, and Barbara Stinchfield, Manager of
Community and Neighborhood Services presented the report to Council.
Mayor Zane opened the public hearing at 8:26 P.M. Councilmember
Jennings arrived at 8:53 P.M. Member of the public Joy Fullmer
expressed her concerns regarding the viability of the
recommendations of the Committee. Members of the public Teresa
Potter, Terry Ogawa, Leon Davidson, Joanne Leavitt, Tom Leavitt,
Teresita Martinez, Robin Moss, Barbara Markay, John Smith, Patricia
Hoffman, Kathy McTaggart-Crosbie, Phyllis Morrison, Dan Kingsley,
John Frank, Suzanne Brewer, Judith Brunk, Susan Wilsin, Ida Bucher,
Oscar de la Torre, Emily De Fraites, Jean Gebman, Josephine
Santiago, Tim McAlevey, Harold Dunnigan, Alan Quinn, Lauren Burton,
Mary Ann Glicksman, Kit Dreyfuss, Bruria Finkel, and Art Casillas
spoke in support of the Task Force recommendations. Councilmember
Katz moved to hear late speakers. Second by Councilmember Genser.
The motion was unanimously approved. Member of the public Jack
Baptista spoke in support of increased consideration being given to
existing programs. Members of the public Ysidro Reynaga, Tony
Vazquez, and Jennifer Tardif spoke in support of the Task Force
recommendations. Mayor Zane closed the public hearing at 9:50 P.M.
At 9:50 P.M., Council adjourned for a short recess. At 10: 15 P.M.,
Council reconvened with all members present.
Mayor Pro Tem Finkel moved to accept the Santa Monica Committee for
Youth report; to adopt, in concept, the staff implementation plan; to
authorize the City Manager to implement year one of the action plan;
to begin cooperative ef forts with other funders ‘ to ensure the
long-term implementation of the plan; to appropriate $84,179 in the
current fiscal year for the initiatives outlined in thei action plan
in year-one; to authorize the creation and hiring of the position of
Senior Administrative Analyst to coordinate youth child care
activities for the City; to authorize the creation and hiring of
three as-needed positions to be filled by young people for the Kid
City initiative; and to authorize the City Manager to implement the
grant funding process for Youth and Family Human Services, as
specified in the action plan. Second by Councilmember Katz.
Discussion was held. Council asked questions of staff and
representatives of the Task Force. The motion was approved by the
following vote:
Council vote: Unanimously approved 7-0
