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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15029 RESOLUTION NO. 15029 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CITY OF PUEBLO EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN THE UNITED WAY OF PUEBLO COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM WHEREAS, middle school students in Pueblo need support through positive mentoring relationships with adults; and, WHEREAS, the City desires to support the United Way of Pueblo County Middle School Mentoring Program in their mission of enriching the lives of Pueblo middle school students by providing opportunities to build relationships with nurturing adults who empower, encourage them through one-to-one mentoring; and, WHEREAS, Mayor Nicholas A Gradisar has agreed to allow, if operationally feasible, up to twenty (20) City of Pueblo employees to apply for and if accepted, participate in the program each year beginning in 2022; NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that SECTION 1. City Council approved and authorized City of Pueblo employee participation in the United Way of Pueblo County Middle School Mentoring Program. SECTION 2. The officers and staff of the City are authorized to perform any and all acts consistent with the intent of this Resolution. SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval. INTRODUCED: October 11, 2022 BY: Dennis Flores MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL APPROVED: PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTESTED BY: CITY CLERK City Clerk's Office Item # M9 Background Paper for Proposed Resolution COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 11, 2022 TO: President Heather Graham and Members of City Council CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar VIA: Marisa Stoller, City Clerk FROM: Nicholas Gradisar, Mayor Laura Solano, Chief of Staff SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING CITY OF PUEBLO EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN THE UNITED WAY OF PUEBLO COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM SUMMARY: Attached is a Resolution approving and authorizing up to twenty (20) City of Pueblo employees to participate in the United Way of Pueblo County Middle School Mentoring Program as a City sanctioned, work-related activity. PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: None. BACKGROUND: The City of Pueblo was selected as one of 13 international cities to participate in the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University’s 2022 Innovation Training program, which will provide consulting, training, and networking to address a key issue facing its residents. The identified target issue for the City of Pueblo is to reduce youth-related gang violence in the community. Research strongly suggests that middle school students are the age cohort where recruitment into gangs most heavily occurs. Furthermore, research from the project revealed that mentoring and developing relationships with caring adults can be an impactful way to help deter negative lifestyle choices. United Way of Pueblo County has designed and implemented the Middle School Mentoring Program which provides a nationally standardized framework for success. The program’s mission is to enrich lives of Pueblo middle school students by providing opportunities to build relationships with nurturing adults who empower and encourage them through one-to-one mentoring. The program has been in place since 2012 and has been connecting positive caring adults with middle schoolers since program inception via weekly communication to cultivate character and strength by fostering relationships centered on trust, hope and growth. The program uses adult volunteers to commit to supporting, guiding and being a friend to a young person for a period of at least one school year and a maximum of three until the student completes middle school. The time commitment to participate is approximately one hour per week during the school year (lunch hour) and sessions occur on site at Risley, Roncalli, Heaton or PAA middle schools. Mentees are middle school students at one of the schools listed above who can thrive and be successful with a little extra support from an adult role model outside of the classroom setting. Referrals to the program are made by school staff who collaborate with the program manager to make compatible mentor-mentee matches. Progress measurement occurs in several different areas both qualitative and quantitative. The positive impacts of having a mentor in these children’s lives are numerous and include increased confidence levels and self-esteem, improved attitudes toward attending school, higher level of engagement at school and more effective decision making. Additionally, there are quantitative measurements of success such as reduction in absenteeism and better academic achievement/grades. The United Way of Pueblo County Middle School Mentoring Program reports that over 75% of program participants have shown significant improvements in progress indicator areas. Other employers in the community support the program through allowing staff to participate, th including Parkview Medical Center, the 10 Judicial District Court and Probation, Blazer Electric, CSU-Pueblo, and CSU Pueblo Foundation. There is a great need for mentors in the community to work with youth and the City has many employees who would be excellent mentors. The City of Pueblo desires to support United Way of Pueblo County Middle School Mentoring Program through meaningful staff participation. Mayor Gradisar has authorized participation of up to 20 City employees in this program. Time spent will be considered City worktime. Interested participants must obtain approval from their supervisor and Department Director to participate to minimize operational impacts. Those wishing to participate as a mentor will then be required to apply for participation with the United Way of Pueblo County. All mentors must successfully complete a screening process which includes criminal background check, fingerprinting and several interviews. If selected, United Way of Pueblo County trains mentors to ensure they have the skills they need to be effective mentors. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There is no new financial cost to the City to support and participate in the program. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: Not Applicable to this Resolution. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Not Applicable to this Resolution. ALTERNATIVES: Denial of this resolution will result in lack of formal approval to support the program by allowing employees to participate in connection with the City of Pueblo. RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Resolution. ATTACHMENTS: None