November 2009

Photo Gallery: Happy Anniversary, MyCom!

The people of the MyCom network are pleased to announce that October marked the one-year anniversary of our launch. We put energy and new ideas into planning for this youth development initiative, and got a headstart on some meaningful efforts to transform the futures of children and teens in Cuyahoga County. Please enjoy photos, above, from recent months. 

The Search is On!

Find positive activities close to your home with the MyCom database.

Why is it important for young people to have good ways to spend their time when they’re not in school? Young people may be exposed to cigarettes, drugs and other unsafe influences in the after-school hours. Plus, positive activities improve academics, like kids spending more time on homework, and help kids make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors.

MyCom wants to make it easy for you to find interesting, positive activities for your child, from kindergarten to high-school graduation. We just launched our Positive Activities database, where you can search for activities near your home. Or call MyCom's partner, Starting Point, at 216-575-0061.

Help us fill the database with even more good information; if your child has participated in a class, program, sport, or any afterschool activity, ask the provider to complete this quick two-page form. 

DID YOU KNOW?

The single hour most likely for a youth to be involved in a violent crime is 3 to 4 p.m.

Learn more at Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

See Your Child’s Strengths

A young person’s skills might be hidden in plain sight

When Haley, 13, thought about things she does well, she realized that she is "bossy" and "can argue with anybody for hours." She says she also watches a lot of Judge Judy on daytime television. It’s not the typical list of strengths, but it gave her a clear goal: She wants to practice family law.

Through the Future U program in her West Park neighborhood, Haley and other children identify their strengths and take career-exploration trips to learn from professionals in their chosen fields.

The program arranged for NASA to introduce the group to resources on science and space exploration, as well as thinking outside the box for careers that are connected to NASA, besides being an astronaut. For instance, they learned that fashion designers worked to update the materials and design of the astronauts suits and that chefs like Rachael Ray have created the food they eat in space.

Also, a trip to the Cleveland State University's Digital Video Communication Center was to learn more about camera work and lighting, and points to consider when interviewing. The last trip, of particular interest to Haley, was to the Cleveland Bar Association to introduce the youth to the world of law.

Some kids express a clear talent or strength with an obvious future benefit, like the 8-year-old who builds engines or the 11-year-old who wins writing contests. Others might have non-traditional interests, or feel like they’re not good at anything. By paying attention, caring adults can help young people notice what sparks their interest and connect them to activities that build related life-skills.

Photo: Haley, far right in a line of friends, goes her own way!

Ready, Set, Future!

Jamie, a local high-school junior, looks ready to deliver the news during a career-exploration trip to Channel 3! Jamie not only has meaningful employment through a MyCom partner, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), he checks out possible paths for himself through a career awareness program.

"Some of the kids actually want to know more about how they can become somebody in life. I think the program taught kids to never give up and you'll always have opportunities and chances."    

First Job Tips & Advice

Finding a first job can be hard, and young people may not always know what to do. Take the "Tips & Advice" at getitfacts.org, including help with resume writing, tips on how to dress and how to do well in an interview.

Materials Available for Your Church

Call soon! Resources can be delivered to your church!

It's very easy to get copies of the MyCom brochure, which details how families, youth, caring adults, and community organizations can connect with neighborhood opportunities, delivered to your church or faith-based organization. Give the MyCom line a call at 216-698-8927 to make the request. Tell us your name, your church's name and address, and we'll get you as many copies as we can, as soon as we can. Call us right away to reserve yours!

Trunk-or-Treat Event a Success!

Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, Ward 18/Cudell Neighborhood, and MyCom invited local families to their annual Halloween event on October 31. Instead of walking from house to house to collect candy, participants park their cars in the Nueva Luz parking lot, pop their trunks, and pass out Halloween treats to kids from the community. It's a fun and safe alternative to Trick-or-Treating!

The event was a success, with 30 cars in the parking lot passing out candy for approximately 200 neighborhood children.

Visit their website to find out more about what's happening through Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center.

Our Key Supporters

Over 250 organizations supported the development of MyCom, and over 150 young people helped plan MyCom.

Funders:
Board of County Commissioners
Family & Children First Council
Cleveland Foundation
The City of Cleveland
Charter One*
Saint Luke’s Foundation
Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland
* For Out-of-School-Time/Starting Point

Agencies:
Cleveland Public Library
Kent State University
Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Partnership for a Safer Cleveland
Starting Point
Voices for Ohio’s Children

Neighborhood Partners:
CENTRAL: Friendly Inn Settlement Inc.
MIDWEST (CUDELL): Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center
MT. PLEASANT: Mt. Pleasant Community Zone
PARMA: Parma City Schools
ST. CLAIR-SUPERIOR: St. Clair-Superior Development Corp.
SHAKER HEIGHTS: Shaker Heights Youth Center
SLAVIC VILLAGE: Slavic Village Development Corp.
WEST PARK: Bellaire Puritas Development Corp.

MyCom is a network of people who believe that youth development is a direct path to healthy, safe communities for everyone. We connect resources to existing opportunities for youth ages kindergarten to graduation, and MyCom also supports new opportunities for young people.MyCom’s Areas of Focus:

Advocacy: MyCom advocates for the needs of children and youth through community education and policy work.

Transitions: For kids, major changes happen almost every 4 years, like going from home to kindergarten. MyCom supports youth with resources like 17,000 kindergarten kits.

Out-of-School Time: A youth should have more options for good ways to spend their time when they are not in school than harmful ways.

Neighborhoods: MyCom works to bolster what neighborhoods do well and to fill in gaps.

Youth Engagement: Real change affecting the lives of kids and teens cannot happen without leadership from youth.

Youth Employment: The right experience and career exposure today can lead to a successful, productive adulthood.

Have we sparked your interest? Call the MyCom line at 216-698-8927 or visit www.mycom.net to learn more!

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