1991/01/01 Community Outreach for Youth and Families Committee History COYF COMMITTEE
Community Outreach for Youth and Families Committee
The COY? was formed with three objectives in mind:
1 ) identify existing human service programs and service gaps
in Rohnert Park . In 1990 there were Len available
service providers . Today there are close to 30 groups
providing their services in R . P .
2) to identify and assist, in the development of human
service programs that are needed by the youth and
families of Rohnert Park .
3) Make all of this information available to those who need
it .
In response to making the information available to those who
need it , in 1990 the city created an information and referral
service for youth and families . It also created a Youth and
Family Outreach Center where human services could be provided
to the citizens of Rohnert Park .
How did all of this happen? Based on a campaign promise of
Linda Spiro to "get a good base of networking of all of the
programs that are out there' , in the Spring of 1989 , Nikki
Arana and Jim Park joined Linda in trying to make her dream
come true . In September of 1989 a presentation was made to
the City Council about the Community Outreach Program. The
overall picture included identifying areas of concern and a
community person who would be responsible for that area . The
council voted to proceed with the hiring of a Community
Resource Specialist and committed funding for the program.
To work with this group in order to implement these ideas a
committee was formed . This committee was made up of Rohnert.
Park staff , and members of the community , all having different
areas of expertise regarding youth and families . The
committee met monthly and discussed plans of action to achieve
these goals .
In 1991 , the COYF came to consensus that it was ready for a
new direction , and decided to meet informally on a quarterly
basis . It would bring together those community people who
wanted to brainstorm on how to provide necessary services for
the community .
These committee members can facilitate access to community
leaders , service clubs , potential funding sources , volunteers ,
schools , governmental agencies and others , all that could help
an idea become a reality.
At this point we are looking for new people to sit on this
committee . We hope that: you will join us .