51.0°,
Light Rain Looking to the future
RVC Youth Council sets goal to create a place for kids
In November 2008, the Rockville Centre Youth Council held its first official meeting. At that time, the organization was made mostly of dreams and ideas for a group that could help the youth of Rockville Centre. Today, 14 months later, with many accomplishments under its belt, the Youth Council is looking to the future.
The Youth Council’s has one large objective in mind as it goes into its second year—create a place that Rockville Centre kids can go and spend time, as opposed to wandering around the village, drinking and causing trouble.
“There’s a bunch of kids out there who’d like something to do without drinking or smoking dope,” said Mike Caffrey, co-chair of the Youth Council. “We’re going to be looking for a spot where we can have a drop-in center, as an alternative for where kids can go instead of going out drinking.”
The Youth Council formed out of the Rockville Centre Steering Committee, which was coming up with ways to improve Rockville Centre. The Steering Committee would meet in the library basement, brainstorming ideas, one of the first of which was coming up with something for teens. Out of that came the Youth Council.
“We started meeting and we gave ourselves a name, the Rockville Centre Youth Council,” said Beth Hammerman, chairwoman of the Youth Council. “It’s just kind of evolved. I don’t think anyone at the beginning would have known what it was going to become. It’s not evolved yet, but it’s a work in progress.”
The Youth Council has also sponsored many fun, informational and safe events for Rockville Centre teens, including a concert and a bowling night, a presentation at the Rockville Centre Library by members of the Phoenix House about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, sponsoring a crashed car at South Side High School to raise awareness of drunk driving and sponsoring Student Lifeline Cards—cards then entitle the user to one free cab ride if they get stranded or intoxicated and need to get home.
Now, the Youth Council is looking for members to head its new committees—things like Social Action, Community Development, Strategic Planning and Events. The committees are headed by both an adult and a student to make sure they include everyone.
