Debunking Myths about Social Networking

There's a lot of interesting discussion going on about banning youth access to sites that collect profile information, like myspace. The proponents believe it will protect young people from predators.

Adam Thierer at the Technology Liberation Front offers a different perspective.
TLF: Debunking Myths about Social Networking:

"Not only is it a myth that there is a growing epidemic of Internet-facilitated child abductions, but it is also a myth that all children are equally susceptible to falling prey to online predators. In reality, the population of “at-risk” youngsters who are most likely to become the victim of online predators is very small.

Why do such youth consent to meet with older strangers and even engage in shocking and disturbing acts with them? , Unsurprisingly, research reveals that this small population of youngsters came from broken homes. They did not have a good relationship with their parents. In many cases, the victims reported a high degree of conflict with their parents or very little parental interaction and mentoring. In some cases, parents were absent from the home altogether. Loneliness and depression were also prevalent traits in many of the youngsters. And some of the boys who became willing victims were “gay or questioning” about their sexuality and were scared to talk to the parents or educators about it.

Those children are at-risk youth who need help. What they most need is love and understanding. When they cannot get them because of parental estrangement or incompetence, it is not surprising that some will look elsewhere for acceptance."

Following Adam's line of thinking, supporting those of us who offer programs for at-risk youth would be a more effective way of preventing abuse than legislating bans. I agree.

What do you think?

Photo by John Goodridge

Diversity Pays Off

Here's why major companies now pay attention to their diversity policies and practices. Any stockholder would find these performance statistics persuasive.

For the fourth year in a row, the DiversityInc Top 50 companies, expressed as a stock index, beat the Standard & Poor's 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq on a 10-, five- and one-year basis, documenting the connection between superior diversity management and excellent corporate governance, which produces a consistent return on equity for investors.

Key findings from The 2007 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies competition:

• The Top 50 hire 42 percent people of color; the U.S. work force is 29 percent people of color*
• Although Top 50 companies employ only 5 percent of the U.S. work force, they employ 17 percent of the college-educated people of color*
• Twenty-five percent of Top 50 companies' management are people of color, compared with 12 percent people of color in management nationwide*
• One hundred percent of the Top 50 offer domestic-partner benefits for same-sex couples, compared with 53 percent of Fortune 500 companies. Seventy-four percent of the Top 50 include gender orientation in their nondiscrimination policies, compared with only 24 percent of the Fortune 500*
• Top 50 companies spend 9.7 percent of their procurement budgets with minority- and women-owned suppliers, compared with just 2 percent nationally*
• Ninety-six percent of the Top 50 companies link executive compensation to diversity goals
• Ninety percent of Top 50 CEOs sign off on executive compensation tied to diversity, compared with 72 percent last year*

"Actual management practices show an emphasis on human factors, both internally and externally, that simply doesn't exist in the typical U.S. corporation," said Visconti. "Considering the difference translates to stock performance, we think this demonstrates that diversity management is a serious business differentiator."

Mediation Challenges

Found on the SCMA Blog: right charles fincher of lawcomix.com

If You Want a Private Divorce, Mediate

Tiffany Enterprise offers one approach to divorce. Mediation another. If you're interested in privacy, though, you should embrace mediation. This posting from Online California Divorce - Diamonds & Pearls of Wisdom Blog - Divorce Wizards explains:

"Privacy in Mediation
One of the points that Mari [Frank] emphasized is the privacy of mediation. There is no other way to get divorced that protects your privacy as well as mediation. In divorce litigation, every word is public record. Financial records are disclosed in the process and many personal and intimate details of people's lives become part of a court public record."

Photo by Monday Morning Photography

Diversity in our midst

We all know Staten Island is unique, in so many ways, but also a rapidly changing community. A recently published US Census report shows that Staten Island had the 2nd largest population gain in the state since the 2000 Census - A 7.6% growth in 6 years.

The report identified that much of the population growth is due to immigrants, a trend anticipated to continue over the next 25 years. Between 2000 and 2006, 12,944 people migrated to Staten Island from around the world, representing about 40% of the population growth during that time.

To read the full article, click here

To learn about how to celebrate the cultural diversity in our community, join the Mosaic Coalition. Contact Mike Baver at 718-947-4121.

We hope to see you soon.

Mediating Difficult Decisions Regarding an Aging Family Member

Many years ago, when a parent grew older, they moved in with one of their children or a family member for the remainder of their life. In today's world, more choices bring increased anxiety and sometimes conflict.


The conversation about how to support a quality lifestyle for an aging parent is a tough one. The decisions impact every family member. Many adult children find themselves caring not only for their children, but also for an aging parent. In many families, one member in particular takes on the role of caretaker.


Increasingly, families are turning to the process of mediation to explore all viewpoints, investigate all options, and make family decisions about the care of their elderly. Mediation offers a neutral, safe, and structured process that supports participation and informed decision-making.

The issues that need attention often include:

• Residence
• Medical Options
• Power of Attorney
• Estate and Trust matters
• Financial Support
• Caregiving options

A recent CBS Evening News Piece highlighted a story of a family who used mediation to make decisions related to residence, finances, and caregiving.

To speak to a mediator at about how mediation might assist you and your family in making decisions, contact us at 718-947-4037.

Photo by sunnydelishgirl

Five After School Opportunities on Staten Island

The NY Center provides after school programming at Public School 13, McKee High School, Port Richmond High School, New Beginnings, and Curtis High School. These after-school centers are open to all students. Our outreach and recruitment focuses on students who are poor performers, special needs students, non–completers, and students from immigrant families.

During 2005-2006 school year, these programs provided services to more than 1000 children and at-risk youth.

Each center provides academic support and enrichment, positive youth development, adult support and guidance, literacy educational development for families, and information to promote physical health and well being.

In 2005, the New York State Education Department chose the New York Center to implement 21^st Century Community Learning Centers at three sites.

Curtis High School Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 2:45 -5:15PM 105 Hamilton Avenue Staten Island, NY 10301

M L Lindenmeyer School – PS 13 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 3:00 -6:00PM
191 Vermont Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10305

Ralph McKee Vocational High School Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 2:00 -5:00PM 290 St. Mark’s Place Staten Island, New York 10301

Our other programs:

WAVE - Work, Achievement, Values, and Education program receives Out of School Time funding from the Department of Youth and Community Development.

Our after school program at Port Richmond High School focuses on improving attendance and academic performance.

The NY Center has over 35 years of experience working with Staten Island’s youth through after-school, peer mediation, and alternative high school programs. We offer programming firmly grounded in research-based youth development principals.

If you would like more information about these programs and services provided, please feel free to contact Robert Busan, Director of Community Development at (718) 947-4050.

WAVE - an After-School Program for Staten Island High School Youth

What is WAVE?

Work, Achievement, Values, and Education (WAVE) program engages the part of a young person’s life that takes place outside of school -- after school, weekends, and school vacations. This after-school program is designed to help Staten Island high school students improve their social, emotional, attendance, and academic performance. It provides young people who may be without parental supervision a safe and supportive environment.

WAVE works with students to create a career plan, introduce the world of higher education, and develop the motivation, skills, and confidence to successfully complete their high school education.

Top 6 Reasons to Participate In the After School Program

1. Student will be able to attend Career Development classes.

2. Student will be able to attend STEP classes

3. Student will be able to attend college tours.

4. Student will be able to attend recreational trips.

5. Student will receive career and education counseling.

6. Student will be linked to academic supports (i.e., tutoring, Regents prep, etc.).

Student Eligibility

Students that are currently enrolled in Curtis, Concord, Port Richmond, and Ralph R. McKee high schools.

Days of Operation: Monday & Wednesday (Port Richmond); Tuesday & Thursday (Concord); Wednesday (Curtis); Thursday (Mckee).

Hours: 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Contact Information and How to Refer

If you are interested or know someone who is interested in joining the WAVE Leadership Institute please refer to Jamie-Ann Bacchio,OST Career and Education Manager at 718-947-4122.

Mail: 130 Stuyvesant Place, 4^th Fl., Staten Island, NY 10301

Project Success - a Membership Program at Port Richmond High School

Project Success Overview

Project Success is an after-school program designed to help seventy five (75) Port Richmond High School students improve their attendance and academic performance. Our talented staff works with these students to help them develop the motivation, skills and confidence they need to successfully complete their high school education.

Each Project Success participant receives a Personal Advocate, who monitors their attendance and academic performance and offers counseling to help our members overcome obstacles. Members are required to participate in “Productive Time” where they receive tutoring and homework help. They also participate in after school classes such as Career Development, Youth Council, Urban Art, and Step Dancing among others.
Our Accomplishments

The 2005-06 school year represented our 2^nd year at Port Richmond and we are proud of the many accomplishments that we achieved.

• Our Executive Youth Council did a great job creating the first Project Success youth developed newsletter, assisting with our first year book, planning the end of the year Recognition Ceremony and strategizing with the school’s administration.

• In partnership with Port Richmond teachers and students, we were able to provide tutoring and homework help to our Project Success members.

• We won a “Promising Practice” award from The After School Corporation (TASC) for our Personal Advocate model.

• We showed our school spirit by marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade for the 2^nd year.

• We offered more outside activities for members such as our Career and Education fair, college tour to Delaware State University, ice skating, Great Adventure and roller skating.

• We provided 14 students with summer employment.

Student Eligibility

While Project Success is for any Port Richmond student that wants to participate, the program is supported by Attendance Improvement Dropout Prevention (AIDP) funds. Therefore, we also target students who have between 27 and 75 days absent during the previous school year or have more than 15 days absent the previous semester.

How to Refer

If you know someone who is interested and could benefit from joining Project Success please contact the

Site Coordinator Dawn Rannie-White, LMSW.

Days of Operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Hours: 2pm to 6m

Office: B152

Telephone: (718) 273-3600 extension 1521 or (718) 947-4120

Mail: “Project Success” mail box in the main office

How to help your child cope with the break-up of the family

When their relationships fail, many parents ask themselves, "How can I help my children understand and cope with all these changes?"

Separation and divorce plunges every family into a difficult period. Both adults and children experience the trauma of this change. It doesn't matter how bad things were before the split; the actual separation brings its own set of issues.

Children are extremely vulnerable during this period. Children living through the break
up of their family due to separation and divorce may:

• Feel anxious and worried about their family relationships and living circumstances
• Blame themselves or others for the family changes

Not that every divorce leads to such negative effects on the healthy development of children (Click here for other factors)

You can take constructive steps to protect your children from the long lasting trauma that frequently results from separation and divorce.

Attend Assisting Children Through Transition -- A.C.T. for the Children -- a course offered by the New York Center, a certified Parent Education Provider.

To learn more about this program, contact us at 718-947-4048 or email us at parented@nycid.org.

For information about the NYS Parent Education Initiative, click here.

Comedy Fundraiser for the NY Center

The New York Center for Interpersonal Development invites you to it's annual Evening of Comedy at Ray's Lounge on Friday, March 23rd @ 8PM.

Ray's is located at 9604 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, NY.

We are going to have some very special guest comics and the show is going to be filled with puppetry, magic tricks and someone might even light themselves on fire!!! (I am personally hoping for this, but we’ll just have to wait and see).

These comics are: JJ Ramirez (he was on Comic Strip Live, the Howard Stern Show, Latin Legends of Comedy, among many others), Mike Pace (visit http://www.mikepace.com/ for more info on him) and Rich Menivit. These comedians are off to the Borgata in Atlantic City right after our show…
Tickets are $20 each with a two drink (or appetizer and drink combination) minumum.

All of the proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the NY Center and help fund the programs we run.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact me at 718-947-4027.

Tickets sales are first come, first serve.

Hope to see you then!!!

Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has published "Teens and Prescription Drugs: An Analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat."

This is an easy to read overview of the trend toward prescription drug-abuse among young teens. No solutions, just information.

Recent studies and reports indicate that the intentional abuse by adolescents of such prescription drugs as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives is a growing concern. The ONDCP report examines this emerging threat, which has seen the number of new abusers of prescription drugs, age 12–17, match the figure for marijuana.

Resources:

To access the report, visit http://www.mediacampaign.org/teens/brochure.pdf.

Image by Hoveringdog

As the Weather Briefly Warmed in NYC – Our YABC Graduates Set Out With Feverish Ambitions

This past Thursday March 2^nd, 2007:

30 High School graduates were honored at the YABC Spring Graduation Ceremony.

Our NYCID-CBO staff was on hand to bask in the warmth of the large smiles and happy laughs from some 50 plus family members and friends.

It was hard not to be standing tall with a barreled chest full of pride as the first group of students to be nurtured by NYCID from the start of their experience at the YABC received their High School Completion Certificates.

This graduation also marks the largest number of students who will be entering college programs. More than 10 of our graduates have already registered for the Spring 2007 term, and another 15 are preparing to enter a CUNY school for the Fall semester 2007.

The YABC staff is now setting sites on its June group.

Currently, we are forming Regents and SAT preparation classes in order to ensure that we give every student the best chance at a photo finish!

Please join us in wishing these young people good luck and success in their future ventures.

Best Regards,

~Michael~

School Help for NYC Parents - Spread the Word

If you're a NYC parent who has sat staring at the phone wondering who you can call to get a few straight answers about school-related issues, you'll appreciate this new service. If you work with young people professionally, you'll find this resource helpful, too.

Advocates for Children of New York have just opened the Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline for questions like:

• Promotional standards
• School discipline and suspension
• School transfers
• Special evaluations
• ESL and bilingual education
• Medical accommodations

They're open for calls Monday thru Thursday, 10 am to 4 pm. 866-427-6033

Middle School Youth Experiment with Inhalents

I had to read this quote below twice. It was the 'eighth grade' piece that astounded me. I guess it's never too early to start talking about some of this stuff.

March 18 -24 Inhalents and Poisons Awareness Week

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition: "One on five students in America has used an inhalant to get high by the time he or she reaches the eighth grade. Parents don't know that inhalants, cheap, legal and accessible products, are as popular among middle school students as marijuana. Even fewer know the deadly effects the poisons in these products have on the brain and body when they are inhaled or 'huffed.' It's like playing Russian Roulette. The user can die the 1st, 10th or 100th time a product is misused as an inhalant."

Check the Coalition's website for prevention information and a toolkit.