Unfortunately the Grand Island Safe Homes Group isn't being maintained, fortunately the Substance Abuce problem is being revisited.
A new committee has been formed to address similar problems here on Grand Island, coordinated by Sandra Anzalone, our High School Principal, Superintendent Robert Christmann, Bruce Benson our Middle School Principal, Vice Principals Chris Swiatek and Carl Guidotti, Carol Jones, all Elementary School Principals, Town Board Members, Mary Cooke and Richard Crawford with the help of the YWCA's executive director Jill Townson and her staff, PTA representatives, the State Police SRO Chris Pyc, Cheryl Chamberlain, Business Teacher - DECA Coordinator, Town Justice Sybil Kennedy, James Kennedy - FBI and members of the Grand Island Youth Board. The theme, "One Team, One Island, One Dream, to be Drug Free" is being promoted with hopes that our community will come together and guide our students down a more positive path. The goal is to make the community more aware of the severity of our substance abuse problems, support and implement programs with positive solutions.
For updates . . . . . visit IsledeGrande.com
A Connections meeting Tuesday evening, February 10, 2004 in the Grand Island Memorial Library community
room was deemed another great success. Approximately 20 concerned members of the community gathered for a brainstorming session on the
problems the town faces with youthful alcohol and substance abuse.
Members of the Grand Island Youth Court presented a survey they created recently and ran in Connor Middle School with some
very interesting results. Gary Krasinski from the Boys and Girls Clubs of WNY spoke on the possibilities of a Grand Island club, which,
according to Connections Chair Reg Schopp, "sounds very promising." Supervisor Peter A. McMahon spoke briefly on the proposed "community
center" which is in the planning stages. Many opinions, both pro and con, were given by the group regarding another expanded recreation
facility. The survey presented by the Youth Court clearly identified the need for a place for the youth of Grand Island to gather and do
"other than" sports related activities.
Sally Yegaric representing ECCPASA assisted the group in reviewing the need for "asset building" and referenced tools to
bring the concept to the community. This would involve businesses, religious organizations, service clubs, etc. making the concept a
community project. Sally has many real life examples of how SafeHomes may be expanded to become a community project.
Our Erie County Legislator, Chuck Swanick,has been very supportive of Boys and Girls Clubs in his district, addressed the
idea that Grand Island is unique in many ways but not without problems. He offered to help finance a town survey to evaluate the community's
assessment of the problem. He explained that promoting a community center or support for Safehomes or a Boys and Girls Club becomes a
marketing issue and that it is important to establish how the people feel and how they might react. Clearly concerned with the town's
problems, Swanick offered his support in finding a solution.
"We were fortunate to have Mary Cooke, Dan Robillard and Dick Crawford show a real concern with their attendance and it
seems that we will have their support," Schopp said.
The next meeting on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Library Community Room will be a review of the format of the propossed Town Survey and discussion on "Enforcement".
Attending the February meeting were: Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, School Board Trustee Myrna Blair, Legislator Chuck
Swanick and Dolly D'Orazio representing Reality Cafe,
Also; Youth Court Coordinator Dennis Albert, Youth Court representatives Carey Marrinan, Erin Dent, Nicholas Hahn, and
Cynthia Czapla, Youth Advisory Board representatives Bob Marinucci, Harry Carter and Kristin Cadro, Town Councilmembers Mary Cooke, Dick
Crawford and Dan Robillard, GIFTS Coordinator Sue Novits, Connections Board Chair Reg Schopp, Connections Board Member Lee Tetkowski, Capt.
Dale Mock of E.C.S.D.E/Youth Court, Sally Yegaric representing ECCPASA, Boys & Girls Club representative Gary Krasinski and Director of Pupil
Personnel Services Carol Jones.
Community Forum On Underage Substance Abuse Well Attended - Jan. 2004 An extremely well attended community forum on underage substance abuse took place Tuesday, January 13, 2004 in the Grand Island Memorial Library community room. The goal of the meeting, sponsored by the Grand Island Connections board and coordinated by Board chair Reg Schopp, was to bring together community organization representatives to develop a strategy or plan to organize the community against violence, alcohol and substance abuse.
Presentations were given by Carol Jones, School District Director of Pupil Personnel Services who reviewed the results of the 2003 County survey, and Sally Yageric, SafeHomes Coordinator from the Erie County Council for Preventive and Substance Abuse. As of January 14, 192 families have signed up for Safehomes through the school district. The Island's PTAs and the Connections organization are hoping for more community involvement and cooperation in making SafeHomes even more successful. Click Safehomes for more information.
"Last night's meeting is what I would call a "huge" success. I hate to use that word but here it applies," Reg Schopp said. According to Schopp, the meeting agenda was to identify the problem and "although Grand Island has problems with violence, alcohol and substance abuse, we are fairly consistent with other suburban communities."
"Much of the discussion centered around developing the "40 Developmental" Assets" in our youth." Sally Yageric mentioned "that the majority of our adult community is still addressing that same task." Clearly stated by Tom Flaherty, a representative of the Erie County Sherriff's Department, it is easy to blame alcohol but the problem is "communication." Sally pointed out that "in these times of single parenting and two income homes, our youth spends a great amount of time unsupervised."
Many people spoke about their experiences and a number of the youth in the group described their concerns. The problem of transportation was discussed briefly after someone mentioned that there is nothing to do.
The concept of a Boys and Girls Club was discussed and there was a suggestion that they have grant monies available to get the Club off the ground.
"We need, as a community, to improve the level of communication and interaction. We can best achieve this with activities that will help develop a good sense of values and self worth," Tim Mordaunt concluded.
The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. February 10th in the Library Community Room and will start off with small group brainstorming sessions. Those interested in attending are asked to Email Reg Schopp .
Among those in attendance were: Grand Island School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ramming , Town Supervisor Peter McMahon, School Board Trustee Myrna Blair, PTA Council President Kim Baldassarre, Connie Petix representing Legislator Chuck Swanick, School Resource Officer Chris Pyc, Dolly D'Orazio representing Reality Cafe, Dan Quider representing Senator Byron Brown, Town Recreation Director Linda Tufillaro and Veronica Connor Middle School Social Worker Craig Voigt. Also; Youth Court Coordinator Dennis Albert, Youth Court representatives Christine Webb, Carey Marrinan, Erin Dent and Cynthia Czapla, Dan Stinson of Enrichment & Referral, Golden Age Center Past President Hank Carroll, Youth Advisory Board representative Bob Marinucci, Youth Advisory Board representative Kristin Cadro, School Board Trustee Neil Seaman, Town Councilwoman Mary Cooke, Lt. Erie County Sheriff's Narcotic Unit Jim McMahon, GIFTS Coordinator Sue Novits, Tom Butler (CEC), Tom Flaherty (ECSD), Paul Nejna (ECSD), Connections Board Member Tim Mordaunt, Lisa Ariganello of NFP, Paul Belter of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Connections Board Member Lee Tetkowski, Town Councilman Dan Robillard, Nicholas Hahn, and Colleen Perno.
