Local Update
HELP DESIGN THE REC AND PARK CHILD CARE CO-OP PROGRAM:
San Francisco's Rec and Park Department is getting money next year to launch a child care co-op program based at recreation and park sites. You can help design this program by coming a a meeting on Friday, July 17 at 2 p.m. at Mclaren Lodge (Golden Gate Park @ Stanyan). The meeting is co-chaired by Coleman and Rec and Park.
Call Joe Wilson at 641-4362 for more info.
CEWR MEETING: Come discuss ways to promote the People's Budget, which proposes spending the City's $31 million budget surplus on desperately needed human services for the poor. Tuesday, July 14 at St. Anthony's Foundation, 12-2. Call Martina for more information, to get a copy of the People's Budget, or to be added to CEWR's mailing or fax alert list (415) 641-4362.
DRUG TREATMENT ON DEMAND: The Treatment on Demand Planning Council is actively recruiting youth and adults to serve on the Council. The group will be conducting community meetings with youth and adults on substance and the need for new services. Meetings are once a month. The Council will develop a plan to spend new monies available for youth and adult-focused services. For Council membership application, call Rocio Hernandez at 255-3515.
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND: The final report of the Task Force on Girls and the Juvenile Justice System has released its final report. It found that: girls offense bookings jumped by 121% from 1990 to 1994; that while the average stay for 80% of boys at Juvenile Hall is under 3 days, only 28% of girls are released within three days because there are so few alternative options for girls; it's estimated that 70% of the girls in the juvenile justice system have been abused in their lives. For the full report, call the Commission on the Status of Woman at (415) 252-2570.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Coleman Advocates is looking for a marketing intern to assist us in a campaign to increase our membership, research potential corporate funders, and develop new ways to involve business and other community members in child advocacy. Must be working toward a degree in marketing or related field, or have two years of experience. Position requires a mimimum commitment of 8 hours a week for at least one semester. Call Ken at (415) 641-4362. Our workplace is fun, diverse, and casual.
Federal Update
SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT THREATENED, AGAIN: Our House of Representatives' Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee has voted to eliminate funding for the 1999 Summer Youth Employment Training Program. If passed by the full House, 400,000 young people will go without work and educational assistance next year. The program costs $871 million, which is peanuts in Washington, but means a lot to the low income kids who benefit from the program. If passed, San Francisco will lose $2.58 million for summer jobs for 1200 kids assigned to 860 community worksites. Another program to get the ax is the Youth Opportunitis Program, providing another $250 million for employment and training of the most at-risk youth. (FYI, this "Human Services" subcommittee also voted to eliminate home heating assistance for several hundred thousand poor households.) Protest the vote by calling Rep. Bob Livingston, chair of the subcommittee, or call Nancy Pelosi (who opposed the vote, but should hear from us how important this funding is). Both can be reached by calling the Capital Switchboard at 1-888-534-6226 toll-free.
State Update
HUNGRY FOR JUSTICE: Immigrant Day in Sacramento on Wed., May 19. Participants will meet with legislators and rally to expand state food and nutrition programs, create public jobs, guarantee pre-natal care for all low income women regardless of immigration status, and oppose Propositions 226 and 227. For more information, or to sign up to go, call (415) 243-8215, ext. 369.
CANVAS FOR JUSTICE: Join Californians for Justice on Satuday May 23 from 10 - 3 as they go door to door to encourage voters to defeat Props 226 and 227 on the June 2 ballot. All participants will be pre-trained. It'll be fun! Youth are especially encouraged to take part. For more information, call (510) 452-2728.
Got a listing for next week's Advocate Alert? Send us e-mail at staff@colemanadvocates.org