LANCissues.org -- the website
for the many citywide and regional issues
facing LA's emerging Neighborhood Councils
LANCissues.org

LANCissues.org - the website
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The Citywide Issues Group
for citywide and regional issues
facing LA's Neighborhood Councils
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Here's all about:

Involving LA's Youth in Neighborhood Councils

The issue ...

A principal mandate for LA's neighborhood councils is the concept of "inclusion" of every type of stakeholder, and this includes our youth.

Councils handle this in different ways. Some have a Youth Board Member elected by stakeholders, and others have a Youth Committee of some sort that makes recommendations of actions to the Board. Many have yet to figure out a way to include their community's youth.

The Citywide Issues Group was approached recently by employees of the City's Department of Recreation and Parks because they, too, see the value of including youth, our future leaders, in neighborhood councils.

Recs and Parks has created a system of "Youth Councils" within their "CLASS Parks" (Clean And Safe Spaces) program. It may well become a potential stream of knowledable and engaged youth from across Los Angeles.

Part of the mission, which operates in 47 sites, is a neighborhood youth development program, that seeks to emphasize asset building and to connect youth with their communities. Each Teen Club holds elections to create a Teen Council that governs their club, and there are special meetings, Youth Forums, involving Teen Club Presidents and other elected officials.

Teen Clubs serve as an introduction and gateway to exciting teen experiences and opportunities available to CLASS Parks members and participants ... and perhaps to the "adult" neighborhood councils themselves.

Here's all about CLASS Parks:



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CLASS PARKS is convinced that the key to creating a truly great, effective organization is an intense focus on the values that guide its actions and their outcomes.

CLASS PARKS believes in the potential of youth to become essential resources of the community, given the positive influences of a powerful youth development program.

With this in mind, CLASS PARKS diligently subscribes to an intrinsic set of principles that transcends cultural barriers and is the framework of every programming decision made.

Every member of the CLASS PARKS family commits to apply these standards everyday in its continued quest of creating the physical and social environment that nurtures strong families, safe communities and healthy neighborhoods.

CLASS PARKS is likewise committed that each participant be able to embrace and apply these principles in their daily lives.


 Mission Statement

CLASS Parks is a neighborhood youth development program that emphasizes asset building and connecting youth with their communities.


Vision Statement

To build strong resilient youth who possess a healthy vision of the future.


 10 Core Values

Confidence - The self-assurance of one's ability to perform and succeed in any given task.
Compromise - Considering external ideas and utilizing them to achieve a goal.
Honesty - Truthful expression of personal judgment and action.
Respect - Showing deferential regard for one's self, peers and environment.
Responsibility - Being productive and able to account for one's action.
Resourcefulness - Creativity in utilizing available materials, support or situations to achieve the same results.
Integrity - Strict adherence to good morals and right conduct.
Safety - Working to protect one's self from harm and potential danger.
Sportsmanship - Observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace.
Perseverance - Persisting on an idea, purpose, or task despite obstacles.


Guiding Principles
Involve youth in program design, implementation, and evaluation
Adopt and implement an asset building youth development approach
Cultivate collaborations and partnerships
Enlist committed and knowledgeable adults
Focus on strengths rather than weaknesses/failings
Create positive images of youth within media and communities


Operational Components

Youth Development

The ongoing growth process that all young people go through on the way to adulthood in attempting to (1) meet their basic, personal, and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives. It is a journey that involves all of the people around a youth - family and community - and their valuable support along the way.

...• The anchor of CLASS Parks youth development programs are the Teen Clubs, which keep at-risk youth between the ages of 11-15, off the streets by engaging them in exciting park activities and other healthy alternatives to juvenile crime. Teen Clubs, located at each CLASS Parks site, provide tutors, TVs, VCRs, and a safe, inviting atmosphere in which members can meet new friends, get assistance with homework or just hang out. 20 of our 47 sites also provide computers with internet access. The clubs also elect "Teen Councils" that decide which activities and community service projects to get involved in. Under the Teen Council's leadership, clubs hold membership drives and fundraisers, coordinate special events, and carry out community service projects.

...• The CLASS Parks youth development model is based on an understanding that many of today's teen problems, including: isolation, substance abuse, educational failures, gang involvement and, criminal activity are symptoms of a crumbling youth development infrastructure.

...• As a leader in efforts to reenergize local community youth development efforts, CLASS Parks is mobilizing staff, allocating resources and, working with public and private organizations to coordinate, improve and avoid duplication of youth programs and services.

...• As a provider of programs and services, the CLASS Parks program operates 47 youth development sites providing safe and supervised after school and weekend enrichment, educational, vocational, recreation and adventure based recreation programs for youth between the ages of 11 and 15 years.

Park Safety

...• CLASS Parks has been at the forefront of facilitating park improvements, developing positive programming, and concentrating on programs related to park safety in a variety of ways. In partnership with the LAPD, CLASS Parks has developed two programs: Safe House and Stop-In Centers. The Safe House program converts parks into safe havens for neighborhood children who feel they might be in danger. Stop-In Centers are established at every CLASS Parks site to serve as another link between LAPD and the communities they protect. Offices are provided for police officers to work within the park. Each office includes a phone, a desk, and supplies. Regular visits to the centers make police officers more accessible, approachable, and dependable---bolstering the trust between communities and the LAPD, and instilling a sense of security in both the park and the neighborhood. It is vital for the parks to become safe havens for community members.

Facility Improvements

...• The facility improvement component of the CLASS Parks Program is crucial to meeting the Department's goal to provide top quality facilities and service to our patrons. The improvements and repairs performed at CLASS Parks facilities promote a strong sense of community pride through maintaining attractive and safe recreation centers. Safety related facility improvements such as additional lighting, security systems, improved fencing and repairing cracks in concrete walkways will encourage everyday family use of parks. Aesthetic improvements such as planting trees, landscaping flower beds and laying sod also increase community pride. CLASS Parks is steadfast in its commitment to work efficiently and with minimal inconvenience to the community by coordinating its workforce, supplies, and vendors. Set schedules are enforced by maintenance supervisors, who clearly communicate the goals of each project. Progress at each facility is carefully monitored for quality control, targeted completion date, use and cost of resources, and supplies. Upon completion of each project, monthly evaluations ensure that each park is held up to CLASS Parks standards.

Working Parts

Teen Clubs (Activity Categories)

...• Community Service

Community service hours/activities are those that take place outside of the recreation facility and are organized by teen club members and/or staff. Individual or group projects that involve teens in experiences that have a focus on community and that contribute to the broader good. Examples: Beach clean-up, feed the homeless, working the L.A. Marathon, AIDS Walk, American Heart Walk, graffiti removal, canned food and clothes drive, etc. Community service hours contribute to the development of the following assets: youth as resources, service to others, caring, equality and social justice, responsibility, planning and decision making, caring neighborhood, community values youth, and sense of purpose.

...• Drop-in

Drop-In hours allow teen club members an opportunity to show up, hang out, chat and chill out. These hours need to be supervised with plenty of supplies and equipment available. While not the strongest of the eight activity categories, drop in hours do have a role in youth development and should be included in teen programming. However, large numbers of participant hours logged in this category can indicate programming deficiencies. Drop-In hours contribute to the development of the following assets: interpersonal competence, personal power, youth programs, creative activities, adult role models, positive peer influence, and other adult relationships.

...• Educational Enrichment

Educational hours can be earned by teen club members for participating in homework assistance, tutoring programs, vocational instruction and college visitations. Examples: receiving tutoring, tutoring others, carpentry classes, camp counselor training, visiting colleges and/or universities, library visits, book club, creative writing, poetry, computer lab, telephone skills training, discussion groups, club newspaper, etc. Educational hours contribute to the development of the following assets: other adult relationships, caring neighborhood, community values youth, youth as resources, service to others, adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations, achievement motivation, school engagement, homework, bonding to school, reading for pleasure, responsibility, planning and decision making, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

...• Fundraising

Fundraising hours includes any staff-supervised teen club fundraising efforts where the proceeds directly benefit the teen club. Examples: bake sale, carnival booth, snack bar, walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, recycling, pancake breakfast, spaghetti dinner, rummage sale, holiday craft boutique, car wash, teen dance, etc. Fundraising hours contribute to the development of the following assets: other adult relationships, caring neighborhood, community values youth, youth as resources, service to others, neighborhood boundaries,
adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations, youth programs, achievement motivation, caring, integrity, honesty, responsibility, planning and decision
making, interpersonal competence, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

...• Life Skills

Life skills hours refer to instruction that prepares teen club members to be better citizens and help them make good choices and decisions. Examples: Drug awareness, cultural diversity, health and safety issues, money management, conflict resolution, cooking, resume writing, job interview skills, job shadowing, etiquette, etc. Life skills hours contribute to the development of the following assets: other adult relationships, caring neighborhood, adult role models, high expectations, youth programs, achievement motivation, caring, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

...• Meetings (Empowerment)

Any meetings (organized by Recreation and Parks Staff) attended by teen club participants. Meetings help to cultivate a youth-directed environment at a teen club. Teen club members should have an organizational and philosophical say in teen program development and implementation. Examples: Youth Council Meetings, Teen Club Meetings, PAB Meetings, Event Organization Meetings, Committee Meetings, Community Meetings, etc. Meeting hours contribute to the development of the following assets: other adult relationships, community values youth, youth as resources, neighborhood boundaries, adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations, youth programs, achievement motivation, caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

...• Recreation Programs

Any recreation programs organized for teen club members by Recreation and Parks staff. Examples: sports leagues and clinics, cultural classes (i.e. dance, music, and art), field trips, social events, and adventure programs. Recreation program hours contribute to the development of the following assets: caring neighborhood, safety, neighborhood boundaries, adult role models, positive peer influence, creative activities, youth programs, achievement motivation, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, peaceful conflict resolution, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

...• Volunteerism

Volunteer hours refer to volunteer work completed by teen club members that takes place at the Recreation facility. Examples: Sports officiating, camp counseling, health and safety fair, carnival, office work and light maintenance. Volunteer hours contribute to the development of the following assets: caring neighborhood, community values youth, youth as resources, service to others, safety, neighborhood boundaries, adult role models, positive peer influence, high expectations, youth programs, achievement motivation, caring, integrity, responsibility, planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, cultural competence, resistance skills, peaceful conflict resolution, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

Adventure

...• Quest - The Adventure Program

The CLASS Parks Quest program aspires to educate teens in adventure-based recreation through a progressive series of hands-on excursions and activities using city, county, state, and national parks.

...• APEX - Adventure Program Explorers

The Adventure Program Explorers (APEX) aspires to increase the sense of responsibility and level of resiliency of at-risk youth by engaging them in intense and challenging outdoor/adventure training and activities.

Youth Leadership

...• PAB

Each CLASS Parks Teen Club has one or two teen representatives on their facility's Park Advisory Board (PAB).

...• Teen Council

Each Teen Club holds elections to create a Teen Council that governs their club.

...• Youth Forum

Special meetings involving Teen Club Presidents and other elected officials.

...• Leadership Training

Opportunities for Teen Club members to participate in various leadership classes, conferences and outings (i.e. State Parks Youth Leadership Institute, CPRS Conference).

...• Coalition of Cities

Several facilities participate in this coalition of all the cities in Southern California that provide teen programming.

YEIP - Youth Employment Internship Program

...• Employment Training

Training conducted at Recreation Centers (or other designated site) in Camp Counselor Leadership Training (CCLT), Sports Officiating (SO), and Ford Theatre Track (FTT). Participants receive valuable training and a stipend.

...• Job Resource Center (In development)

The Center will be available to assist in referring teens for jobs in the local community. Currently done on a smaller scale (i.e. example from Delano).


Want more info about Youth Councils?
... just send an email to:

Marilyn J. White
Principal Recreation Supervisor II
CLASS Parks Director
mjwhite@rap.lacity.org

or contact:
classparks@rap.lacity.org
818/243-2490

(please include your name, email
address, and Neighborhood Council)

Please visit the CLASS Parks website:
www.ClassParks.org
.