[Durham INC] [durhambikeandped] Fwd: [ABCDdurham] Mayor Bell Invites Feedback on IBM Report for Engaging Durham's Youth

Fri Jun 8 17:00:50 EDT 2012

FWIW, the East Durham Children's Initiative (http://edci.org/overview/)
uses the Harlem Children Zone model already.

- Matt Dudek

On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 11:18 AM, Marc <marc at greenwayrides.com> wrote:

>  Hi Clay,
>
> They should use the Harlem Childrens Initiative protocol, seems more
> organic and functional.  IT systems to track individual performance and
> engagement as a whole could be helpful, but I am not sure if the IBM
> technology protocol as defined in the Report is leading the solution.
> Mapping current systems and comparing the matrix of variables to other
> programs nationwide seems to be the first step.  Unless this protocol has
> been tested, I would think that its a cart before the horse approach.
>
> Marc
>
>
> On 6/8/2012 11:07 AM, Clay Harris wrote:
>
> Marc & Melissa,
>
>  I appreciate your points and I agree with you.
>
>  However, the challenge that the IBM grant identifies and attempts to
> address is one step removed from the programming you're talking about, and
> I think it's worth a closer read and your support.  The framework for
> delivering services to disconnected youth in Durham is itself disconnected:
> while we're lucky that so many folks and organizations in Durham are
> working with disconnected  youth, these folks' and organizations' insight
> into how each individual student is or can be helped by others is limited
> at best, and downright difficult or impossible in most cases.
>
>  So - the need for a centralized framework in which all of our *great* providers
> can collaborate would be a HUGE step forward for Durham.  Seems to me that
> IBM is just the type of company to help us envision, organize and build
> that organization and the supporting technology infrastructure.  I'm very
> thankful that they're supporting Durham's youth in this manner, and look
> forward to working on a solution that will better connect both our youth
> and the organizations that support them.
>
>  Just my $.02 -  Happy Friday!
>
>  Clay Harris
>
>  COO, WorkSmart <http://www.worksmart.com>
> Board Chair, Achievement Academy of Durham <http://www.achievedurham.org>
> Beginner Gardener <http://www.durhamgrows.com>
>
>
> On Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>>  Thanks so much for that, Marc! I couldn't agree more, of course.
>> I have been working all year on a vegetable garden, herb garden, and
>> other landscaping projects at Creekside Elementary. The kids help me
>> once/week during their recess time.
>>
>>  I can't get over how much these kids LOVE it. Too bad I can't get any
>> other adults to help me or we'd do it more often.
>>
>>  Yesterday, we were thinning out thyme, mint and oregano, and I offered
>> to put the pieces with roots into pots for the kids to take home and plant.
>>
>>  They were ecstatic. I was like the pied piper as the kids followed me
>> in a long line to get their pots, fill them with soil and place their
>> little plant within.
>>
>>  When I told them they could eat the leaves of the plants, they got even
>> more excited.
>>
>>  They promised to put the plants in the ground within a week, and I
>> trust that most of them will.
>>
>>  People ask me why I don't hold a garden workday on the weekend or
>> something so I can get more adults to help. The answer is that most of the
>> kids I want/need to reach can't make it to after school or weekend
>> activities. I mean, it seemed that some of these kids had never even held a
>> handful of dirt before.
>>
>>  I hope that Durham can support more gardening programs for our youth --
>> get the kids outside, encourage them to get their hands dirty and show them
>> the plants that we grow for our pleasure and survival. Or have them
>> participate in water wildlife and water-testing programs like those put on
>> by the Haw, Neuse and Cape Fear River Assemblies -- would make them more
>> aware of our effect on our natural resources and give them experience in
>> biology and chemistry.
>>
>>  Once I leave Creekside, I fear that my gardens will turn to weeds and
>> future students won't get the experience that the current ones so enjoy.
>>
>>  We need OUTDOOR programs for our kids, not more programs that involve
>> them sitting around staring at lighted screens.
>>
>>  Sincerely,
>> Melissa (Rooney)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    ------------------------------
>> *From:* Marc Dreyfors <marc at greenwayrides.com>
>> *To:* durhambikeandped at yahoogroups.com; Frank White <frank at ewhitecap.com>
>>
>> *Cc:* Bill Bell <billbell at udicdc.org>; Beverly.Thompson at DurhamNC.gov;
>> inc-list at rtpnet.org; ABCDdurham at yahoogroups.com; marc at greenwayrides.com
>> *Sent:* Friday, 8 June 2012 12:23 AM
>> *Subject:* Re: [Durham INC] [durhambikeandped] Fwd: [ABCDdurham] Mayor
>> Bell Invites Feedback on IBM Report for Engaging Durham's Youth
>>
>>  Hi Frank,
>>
>> I started reading the report and was immediately overwhelmed by the
>> "technology as the solution" to inner city problems.  The Report read like
>> a set up/commercial for IBM's corporate view of the world/approach.
>>
>> "At the heart of this Governance Model is the Youth
>> Opportunity Corps (YOC), supported by the Executive
>> Council and the Youth Council. It consists of two units:
>> one full-time Operations Unit consisting of five roles,
>> and a part-time Enabling Infrastructure Task Force that
>> will bring the existing IT and information management
>> resources together to create the enabling IT infrastructure."
>>
>> Aack! Focus is on "executive leaders" and healthcare and biotech??!!  Are
>> these guys really who we want engaging our youth, who have achieved
>> excellence in a broken system that is both undermining our Democracy and
>> destroying our health and planet simultaneously.
>>
>> I have a half a dozen kids and under-employed coming by my office daily,
>> and more if I didn't put a nix on it because we don't have the man-power or
>> resources to engage them.  These kids are way over-loaded with technology,
>> You-tubing gangster rape, texting, smart-phones, listening to brutal
>> lyrics, Face-booking, They are headed for chemical dependency and ADD/ADHD
>> candidates and certainly "nature deficit disordered."
>>
>> Personally, taking these kids out into nature would be the best thing for
>> them, getting them exercise, teaching them to fish, garden, make things
>> with their hands and feeding them some healthy food reagularly. IBM's
>> Report is heavy on the psychological leadership pedagogy.  Mentoring is
>> important, but this stuff seems way over the top complicated.  What are
>> these guys selling?! There are snibits of good data and approach in this
>> Report, but the thing should trashed.
>>
>> Talk with Asheville Go! about engaging at risk youth, its about
>> listening. hearing and being real.  We just spent a couple days looking
>> into their model with NCCDI  Offering a hope of a job in a healthy,
>> sustainable and conscientious community is the best way to engage this
>> problem. I just wish we had a green economy that was robust enough to
>> provide more entry level jobs (idiot leadership?).
>>
>> Best thing Durham has going for it is the growing local foods movement,
>> but I see no mention of greening or sustainability in the whole damn
>> report!  Outrageous.  Green space reduces crime, greenways allow the
>> community to exercise and get out of cars, planting trees affects a range
>> of benefits, etc.  Talk about disconnect, wait until the real crap hits the
>> fan: famine, drought, flood, fire, spiking energy prices and economic
>> collapse.  Think we have a problem now?!  We need to give these kids a
>> heads up and a leg up on the shit storm we have created.   I guess the IT
>> community will have an ap. for that.
>>
>> Lord help us,
>>
>> Marc
>>
>> On 6/5/2012 10:53 PM, Frank White wrote:
>>
>>
>>  Normally, I'd consider this FYI outside the scope of this listserv so
>> bear with me as I attempt to bridge a connection to the following release
>> and the pedestrian/cycling community.
>>
>> A few days ago, ATT trial users were attacked by teens, we believe to be
>> "at-risk" youth, while using the ATT. Marc, mentioned that something should
>> be done to reach those youths. Since this initiative is aimed at "at-risk"
>> populations that have made some uncomfortable I wanted to make sure news of
>> this program is on your radar.
>>
>> Durham is "where great things happen" and a desired result will surely be
>> something great.
>>
>> Frank
>>
>>  ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: *Blalock, Amy* <Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov>
>> Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 3:07 PM
>> Subject: [ABCDdurham] Mayor Bell Invites Feedback on IBM Report for
>> Engaging Durham's Youth
>> To: "Blalock, Amy" <Amy.Blalock at durhamnc.gov>
>>
>>
>>
>>      [image: cid:image002.jpg at 01CBE556.A7538D50]
>>  * *
>> *CITY OF DURHAM*
>> *Office of Public Affairs*
>>  101 City Hall Plaza
>> Durham, NC 27701
>>
>>
>> *News Release***
>>  * *
>> *News Media Contact:*
>> Beverly B. Thompson
>> Director
>> (919) 560-4123 x 11229
>> (919) 475-2362 (cell)
>> Beverly.Thompson at DurhamNC.gov
>> Like: http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC
>> Follow: http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC
>>
>> For Immediate Release: June 5, 2012
>>
>>
>>  *Mayor Bell Invites Feedback on IBM Report for Engaging Durham’s Youth*
>> *Full Report and Video Now Online; Feedback Encouraged on New Facebook
>> Page*
>>
>> DURHAM, N.C. - The City of Durham is inviting public review and comment
>> on a plan submitted by IBM (NYSE: IBM) to improve the education, well
>> being, and job-readiness of Durham’s youth.
>>
>> IBM's plan details steps that the City can take in coordination with
>> schools, workforce-readiness programs, and other public, private and
>> nonprofit stakeholders to better coordinate and measure the success of
>> their efforts.
>>
>> The recommendations include the creation of a Youth Opportunity Corps
>> that would create a centralized mechanism for identifying youth at risk,
>> refer those youth to the right resources, and ensure their long-term
>> success.
>>
>> “As the first U.S. city selected by IBM for this study earlier this year,
>> I am pleased to share this important report,” Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell
>> said.  “It is clear that we as a community are going to have to work
>> together to help our youth succeed in education, employment, and life.
>> This report outlines a coordinated strategy to coalesce our public,
>> private, and non-profit resources for the future of our youth in Durham,”
>> he said.
>>
>> Bell said that at this point, public input is critical for the next steps
>> to implement the plan. To encourage feedback and discussion on various
>> aspects of the report, a Facebook page (
>> http://www.Facebook.com/DurhamYouthSucceeding) has been established. The
>> page provides links to IBM's report and to a brief video (
>> http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=3F1bG9uQAz4) that chronicles the
>> challenges that local youth face.
>>
>> According to Bell, community leaders will meet in the coming weeks to
>> assess what the next steps should be to take advantage of key
>> recommendations, including how to involve various community stakeholders
>> and organizations, especially youth.
>>
>> The recommendations emerged from a study funded by an IBM Smarter Cities
>> Challenge grant, valued at $400,000, awarded to cities such as Durham that
>> have demonstrated progressive thinking and a commitment to embrace change.
>>
>> For the study, six IBM staff members with expertise in finance,
>> technology, and management, spent most of February 2012 living in Durham
>> and interviewing approximately 80 residents, officials, and community
>> leaders.  The team presented its initial findings in March and has
>> submitted a more comprehensive report, now available on the City’s website
>> at http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/cmo/Documents/ibm_scc_report.pdf.
>>
>> Durham was one of 33 cities named as recipients of IBM’s Smarter Cities
>> challenge grants in 2012. Launched in 2011, this three-year $50 million
>> program for 100 U.S. cities is IBM’s single largest philanthropic
>> initiative. It funds in-person engagements staffed by teams of top IBM
>> experts who study and then make detailed recommendations addressing locally
>> important urban issues.
>>
>> "We thank the City of Durham for the hospitality shown to the IBM team
>> that visited earlier this year," said Steven Pearson, a North
>> Carolina-based manager for IBM's Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs
>> group.  "We hope that the recommendations that our team prepared will be
>> useful in helping to making Durham as vibrant and successful as it can be.
>> We congratulate the city's leadership for its forward thinking and
>> commitment to innovation."
>>
>> ###
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Frank White
>>
>> White Cap Solutions
>> http://whitecapsolutions.com
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Durham INC Mailing List
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>> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>>
>>
>
> --
> Marc Dreyfors(MEM '90)
> Manager,
> Greenway Transit Services, LLC
> Manager,
> Carolina Biodiesel, LLC
> President,
> The Forest Foundation, Inc.-- a 501(c)(3) promoting Sustainable Livelihoods
> 1410 Cross St.
> Durham, NC 27701(919)957-1500,1505
> fax: (919)957-1502marc at theforestfoundation.org
> www.IRideGreen.com
>
> Go Clean, Go Green!
>
> 2006-2009, Alumni Council, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
>
> 2004-7, Board Member, Environmental Educators Association of N.C. (EENC),
>
> Lifetime Member, North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE)
>
>
>
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