HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 City Council Citizen Participation November 2012
Good evening Mr. Mayor, council members and members of the audience
My name is Bill Johnson; I am the Volunteer Coordinator of the Project Lifesaver unit at the
Palm Springs Police Department and a member of Citizens On Patrol. Project Lifesaver deals
with victims of Dementia and other diseases that cause people to wander. By placing electronic
wristband on these individuals, if they wander,we can find them quickly. Searching for missing
persons is a resource intensive operation and can be quite costly.
Members of Citizens On Patrol are with me here tonight.
I am certain that you have seen Citizens on Patrol on the streets, directing traffic at traffic
collisions, handling crowd control at parades, sporting events, downed power lines,bomb threats
and crime scenes or removing debris from the roadway and assisting motorists with disabled
vehicles. We also issue handicapped parking violation citations,and transport stray or injured
animals.
However, I would like to talk about another endeavor of the Citizens On Patrol, Project Lifesaver
group. Once again this year we will be hosting National Memory Screening Day. National
Memory Screening day is an initiative of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, a nonprofit
organization. Each year for the last eight years,National Memory Screening Day has provided a
venue, in more than 2000 communities around the country, for testing memory loss due to
Dementia,Alzheimer's brain injury or cognitive disorders.
Alzheimer's is a terrible condition that is becoming a major drain on our health care system, and
is devastating to the families who must care for a victim. It is estimated that more than 5 million
Americans have the disease and, as the baby boomers mature,that number could grow to 15
million. As we age,the incidence if Alzheimer's increases to the point that, if you reach the age
of 85,there is a 50% chance that you will acquire the disease.
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On National Memory Screening Day,professionals conduct a simple 5 minute test that allows a
person to determine if they would benefit from further consultation with a Physician. Many
persons who question their memory, and we all do at some time or another, would like to know if
they really have a memory problem. This simple test, allows for an evaluation of that fear. It has
been said that if we go to the mall to shop and we come out to the parking lot and can't find our
car,we have a memory problem. In reality that is a common occurrence,just like misplacing our
car keys. But if we drive to the mall and come out and order a cab to take us home, we may
indeed have a memory problem.
This year,the Palm Springs Police Department Citizens On Patrol group will host National
Memory Screening Day, for the third year. Last year we were in the top 2 percent in the nation in
terms of the number of persons screened. This year we hope to be number 1. Please advise your
family members,friends and coworkers of the availability of this brief, free analysis. This year
we will be partnering with the Mizell Senior Center to offer this service on Tuesday,November
13 from 7:30am till 3:OOpm. We start early so that people who have a job can come in, get
screened, and still get to work on time.
Thank You.
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The Ophelia Project
The Story of Empowering Young Girls to
Grow into Successful Women
Contents:
1. Who is Healthy Family Foundation?
2. The Ophelia Project
3. Art Program
4. The Way it Works
S. Mentors
6. Scholarship
7. Luncheon
8. Important Work
9. Future
1. Who is Healthy Family Foundation?
Local, private, non-profit 501c3 organization in Palm Desert
Mission is preventing child abuse and neglect and promoting health and wellness to children
and families in Coachella Valley. We serve a broad area of eastern Riverside County,from
Beaumont to Blythe,from Salton Sea to 29 Palms. Since opening Healthy Family Clinic in
2002,we have served 98,000 pediatric visits, 9,000 children and 36,000 family members
through home visiting,fora total reach of 118,000 individuals benefiting from our programs.
2. The Ophelia Project:
Our fastest growing and most well-known program is the Ophelia Project; not publically
funded and relies solely on private, local support.
The Ophelia Project was intended to be a program for teen girls to build self-esteem and
address relational aggression.As the program grew, we enhanced the concept to address the
specific challenges faced by young girls in Coachella Valley. In 1998 we offered the Ophelia
Project as a pilot program in Desert Sands Unified School District, to be held on school
grounds, during school hours. Focusing on adolescent and teen girls from high risk home
environments in underserved communities,we have been able to make a positive difference
in so many young lives.
We began the Ophelia Project with five girls, in one school and 3 volunteer mentors led the
sessions focusing on building self-esteem.
Today,the Ophelia Project has developed into a comprehensive 5 year team mentoring
program for adolescent girls 8th through 12th grade. In these 16 years, 1,618 girls have directly
benefited from the Ophelia Project.This year alone we began the school year with over 250
girls in five schools (Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Indio Middle School, Desert Ridge
Academy Middle School, Indio High School and Shadow Hills High School) and the program is
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delivered by 35 highly trained,volunteer,women mentors. Initially, our curriculum focused
on building self-esteem; how to deal with relational aggression (bullying); and a component
of'etiquette for all situations'.
In 1999 a luncheon was added, held in May of each year to celebrate the successes of the
school year. Since the early years,we have increased the peer bullying component to include
cyber bullying because the internet has become so prevalent in teen lives. Five years ago we
added a nutritional component to address teen obesity prevention. In addition,we
continually focus on promoting improved academic achievement.
3. The Art Program:
In looking for ways to improve academic achievement,we incorporated the concept of
Multiple Intelligences using a variety of art disciplines to identify individual learning styles.
Such things as having music in the environment can improve math skills because of the
subliminal cadence, or using drawing or painting to increase a student's observation skills. All
of these techniques will engage a student's attention. By adding an art component to Ophelia
curriculum,we can address funding cuts that have removed the arts from schools as we
design art projects to enhance scholastic achievement.
Local artist Gideon Cohn has directed the annual art projects for Ophelia girls, designing a
very ambitious yet successful project for each year.
• Me In 20201 (150 girls painted their goal on a 4x4 inch canvas, all fastened together in
a single collage becoming "150 Dreams")
• Imagine the World,with a focus on protecting the planet, being kind to our
environment, respecting and preserving our resources.
• Remember the Past...It's the Key to Your Future,the 2012 art project providing the
impetus for each girl to research their own family history to gain a better
understanding of who they are today and who they can become in their future.
4. The way the program works:
School counselors recommend girls to the Ophelia Project who, perhaps, come from a high
risk home environment but have potential and could benefit from mentoring. Counselors can
refer girls at any time during high school years, but ideally girls begin the program in the 8tn
grade so the girls get the full 5 year program that is so beneficial to them.
Ophelia Girls at each school are given 2 team-mentored programs per month.The school
district, principals, counselors and teachers believe in the value of Ophelia so much,the girls
are excused from class to participate in Ophelia sessions as long as they keep their grades
up... and the girls love being in Ophelia so much they strive to keep the privilege.
Topics include college and careers, relationships, nutrition and healthy living, addiction, self
defense skills, delaying having children, continued education, financial facts, budgeting for
college, life planning, etiquette for every situation, and many more. But the curriculum is not
static,we consider it a 'living program'. Each summer we review and update our curriculum
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to remain current with what's going on in the world, especially a teenager's world. We want
the girls to envision a successful future for themselves in whatever path they choose.The
girls are encouraged to look at the'bigger picture' and to think out of the box. Once a girl has
experienced being in Ophel!a, she'll work hard to stay in the program through high school
graduation and beyond.
The sessions are presented by our trained Mentors and selected guest speakers. Program
delivery and maintaining program quality is assured by professional staff. Selection of
program topics and materials is produced by professional staff and is pre-approved by Board
of Directors, Superintendent of School Districts, and school Principals prior to
implementation.Sessions are designed to activate critical thinking and decision-making skills.
When funding permits,we take the girls on field trips to local businesses, cultural
organizations and college campuses; introducing girls to a wide world of opportunities and
enhancing their awareness of the broader valley community and beyond.
Ophel!a Girls tend to stay in school rather than dropping out; their grades improve; they not
only finish high school,they graduate and desire to go on to college! We focus on teaching
the girls to think about their future,to be more aware of opportunities and to dare to dream.
S. Mentors:
Who are the Mentors? They are strong capable, independent, intelligent women volunteers
who provide the Ophelia programming. They are bank presidents; therapists, nurses, school
principals and teachers. They are professional women, some are retired, some are still
actively in the workforce. We do a thorough background check (finger prints, DMV, DOJ) and
we check their professional references. Once accepted, we provide comprehensive mentor
training and monthly training updates.
These volunteer mentors are the key to the success of the Ophel!a Project. Sometimes they
are the only positive"role model" a girl has!
6. Scholarship Program:
In 2008 we initiated a scholarship program and provided a college scholarship to 4 Ophel!a
Girls! Now we have several community partners who contribute to the Scholarship program
each year. Ophelia Girls understand that graduating from college is an achievable goal,
especially with the assistance of scholarships.
In the first 5 years of the scholarship program:47 girls received scholarships totaling over
$52,080. We provide: college and trade school scholarships to graduating seniors;we provide
summer theatre camp scholarships to underclassmen;we provide work internships for on-
the-job training (matching teens with businesses who hire youth); and we provide
Community Service cash awards for Ophelia Girls who do volunteer work during the year.
Naturally we are always seeking scholarship donors and new community partners!
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Additionally, Ophelia alumni girls who did not attend college after high school graduation but
have recently decided to go to college can also apply for scholarships.After all, "once an
Ophel!a Girl, always an Ophelia Girl!"
7. Luncheon:
The culminating highlight of each year is the Ophelia Luncheon. It is an elegant luncheon held
at a local resort, celebrating the academic successes of the year and presenting scholarships
to graduating seniors and awards on additional programs.At this event the girls practice
mixing with business leaders, are seated with program sponsors, mentors and scholarship
donors.
The luncheon culminates with the opportunity for any girl to take the microphone and share
what the program has meant to her....the Testimonials.This is the heart warming apex of the
entire year.These girls take this opportunity to thank their Mentors for the program and to
thank the schools and the sponsors for supporting it.These testimonials are impassioned and
there are grateful tears from many in the room.
8. Important Work:
We sharpen the girl's personal skills to help them reach their full potentials and to
understand the importance of education. These girls can fulfill their potential with a little
encouragement and given a little direction. This is the American dream. We want these girls
to become productive, strong individuals with personal success stories. We want them to
respect themselves and others, learn how to give back to the community, and to value the
importance of working to accomplish goals.
9. Future:
The future is only limited by funding. The growth of this program continues to expand. Each
year, more girls are added to the program in each of the schools served, and additional
schools would like us to provide Ophelia for their students.
Several potential volunteer Mentors have expressed interest in joining us. Although we have
been able to keep the program costs streamlined, the costs naturally increased as more girls
and more schools receive the program.
Each year we try to meet the annual scholarship needs as more Ophel!a Girls graduate and go
to college. The annual operating cost for the Ophelia Project is $85,000. It's not publically
funded. We must rely on private and corporate donations from foundations, businesses and
individuals to support the cost of this valuable programming.
The Ophelia Project is an extremely valuable program. Many girls and their families rely on
and benefit from this unique program. Our vision is to continue to provide and expand the
Ophelia Project in the Valley. With continued program success and an increase of community
partners, there is no doubt we can reach this goal.
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Number of Ophelia Girls served through the years:
1998- 5 2004- 80 2010—175
1999- 20 2005- 82 2011- 200
2000- 30 2006- 84 2012- 200
2001 - 35 2007- 88 2013- 250+
2002 - 52 2008- 90
2003- 77 2009- 150 Total 1,618
The history of Ophelia scholarships given:
2008- 4 students shared $ 4,500
2009 -5 students shared $ 7,500
2010-12 students shared $ 9,200 (Pathways matched)
2011 -- 12 students shared $24,680 (Pathways matched—plus $380 in theatre scholarships)
2012—14 students shared $ 6,200
Total scholarships awarded as of May 2012 $52,080
For additional information:
Susan Francis
Chief Executive Officer
Healthy Family Foundation
760-776-1600 ext 122
susanfrancis@jfkfoundation.org
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The new partnership and collaboration of Healthy Family Foundation and the Palm Springs Unified School District has
made possible the Inaugural Year for the Ophelia Project in Palm Springs High School. A program of Healthy Family
Foundation since 1998, the Ophelia Project is a highly successful and widely recognized five year team-mentoring
program for adolescent and teen girls. The objective of the Ophelia Project is to encourage young girls to stay in school,
pursue higher education and career options, develop hope for a brighter future, and to acquire the skills necessary to
make their dreams a reality.
Who are the Ophelia Students? School counselors refer students into the Ophelia Project who have potential yet need
motivation and support to overcome one or more risk factors in their lives and could benefit from a team mentoring
program. Ophelia girls begin in 8`h grade and continue through their senior year;thus receiving the long term mentoring
that studies have shown to be most beneficial. Ophelia girls are assisted with setting goals for their future and guided
away from high-risk behaviors. Ophelia Girls tend to stay in school rather than dropping out;their grades improve;they
graduate from high school and desire to go on to college or trade school! Ophelia girls who maintain good attendance
may be eligible for a college scholarship. Additionally, all Ophelia alumni may also apply for an Ophelia Project
scholarship.
What is the Program? Ophelia programming is presented by our trained Mentors and professional guest speakers.
Ophelia students receive 2 team-mentored sessions per month. Each session is designed to activate critical thinking and
decision-making skills. When funding permits, we take Ophelia students on field trips to local businesses, cultural
organizations and college campuses; introducing girls to a wide world of opportunities and enhancing their awareness of
the broader valley community and beyond. The School District, Principals, Counselors and Teachers believe in the value
of Ophelia. Ophelia students are excused from class to participate in Ophelia sessions as long as they keep their grades
up... and the students love being in Ophelia so much they strive to keep the privilege.
Volunteer Mentors Deliver the Program. Ophelia Mentors are strong capable, independent, intelligent women
volunteers who deliver the Ophelia curriculum. They are bank presidents; therapists, nurses, school principals and
teachers.They are professional women, some are retired, and some are still active in the workforce.Volunteer Mentors
must complete comprehensive training and attend monthly meetings. Ophelia Mentors are the key to the success of the
Ophelia Project. Sometimes they are the only positive"role model"a girl has!
Healthy Family Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, relies on support from corporate and private donors,
service groups, private foundations and local businesses to provide this exceptional mentoring and scholarship program.
By supporting the Ophelia Project, you are not just helping the Ophelia students but you're also investing in the long-
term growth and future wellbeing of our community. Our vision is to continue to provide and expand the Ophelia
Project in the Valley. With continued program success, an increase of community partners and funding support,there is
no doubt this valuable program will benefit expanding numbers of students who desperately need it.
Please get involved! Consider a donation or a business sponsorship.You can be part of the Inaugural Year of Ophelia in
Palm Springs.You can make a difference in the future or our youth! Please call me directly to discuss how we can
personalize your involvement. Thank you!
Susan Francis
Chief Executive Officer
(760)776-1600 Ext. 122
susanfrancis@jfkfoundation.org