MINUTES
KIWANIS YOUNG CHILDREN’S COUNCIL
OF PIMA COUNTY
MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2015
This YCC meeting was called to order at 0835 by Chairman Michael Iafrato. There were 17 in attendance. The January minutes were reviewed and approved as corrected to fix Alan Hutton’s email address.
The Valentine party for the 19 autistic students at the Intermountain Academy was discussed. It will be at 1230 on Friday February 13th, with valentines for each student, happy meal certificates, and a magic program.Valentines were made by Key Club at Cienega, and Builders Club at Sierra Middle School. Visitors are welcome. The location is 555 South Tucson Blvd.
The Council Steering Committee of February 2nd was discussed. Chairman Michael urged all agencies to solicit others to join us. He also hopes agency reports will include how Kiwanis can help them.
Jeff Dozoretz from CFR reported for the Parenting Coalition on a working meeting where they talked about improving their image, and collecting parenting tips. For Child and Family Resources, Jeff told us that their Champions for Children and Families annual luncheon will be Tuesday, April 21, at the Doubletree on Alvernon. The lunch will be free, but those present will be asked to donate. He urged us to nominate a champion for children, and beat the nomination deadline of March 2, 2015.
Shaundra Higgins from Pasadera told us they are hosting prescription drug information on abuse at their training center on Dodge Blvd. Call Shauna at 295-4781 for more information. She also told us they need volunteers to share hobby or other skills with young people. Call Amy Bass at 560-5282 to help.
Robin Green from the Pima County Library shared with us their monthly update by email. She said February is Love of Reading month, and Pima County Public Library’s youth service librarians will be busy visiting schools, planning special library events and storytime programs, and passing out free children’s and teens’ books at our branches. From February 9-16, while supplies last, children who stop by any library branch can pick a book that they can take home and keep.
February is also the month in which the 4th Annual Sci. Tech Festival begins. The Festival is a statewide event and runs through March. The goal of the Festival is to promote science and technology in Arizona. PCPL will be hosting 76 programs at various branches in support of the Festival. Children can also pick up program schedules and coloring contest entry sheets for the Festival at the Main Library, the Valencia Library, the Woods Memorial Library, and the Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr. Library. Looking ahead Robin tells us planning for this year’s Summer Reading Program is well underway. This year’s theme will be “Every Hero Has a Story”. Summer reading takes place from May 22nd until July 18th.
LisetteDeMars from First Things First told us that all regional funding plans were approved at the State Board meeting in January. More information is on their website. She also told us about their Request for Grant Application (RFGA) process.
The first round of RFGA’s were issued Monday, February 2nd. The second round will be released in the first week of March.
Pre-Conferences for the released RFGA’s begin this week. This is potential applicants opportunity to have technical and programmatic questions answered. We strongly recommend anyone who is applying to send at least one staff member to address any questions that might come up. Information about the Pre-Conferences is available in the RFGA’s.
First Thing First Staff are in the process of planning another cross regional grantee meeting.Save the date of March 3rd.More information soon.
Stan Levine from Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center told us they did not receive funding for next year (10/30/15), and they have a new name-Sympatico. For his mental health outreach the next event is 4/18, and they will continue. Their target group is youth age 15-25.
Tami Arthur and Sandra Anguiano from El Rio said they need both books and volunteers. They said the Reach out and Read organization gave 10,200 books, and volunteers and Tami donated 6,800 more for waiting room use. They also said that First Things First will provide free parenting kits for new mothers. They are available through community partners in either English or Spanish.
Dane Binder from Youth on Their Own, told us their last years enrolment was 1231, and so far this year it is up to 1300, and may be 14-1500 by the end of the year. On March 14th they will have a fundraiser at Casino del Sol. Tickets are $100.
Nancy Tepper from the Pima Health Department told us of the increase in childhood diseases stemming from lack of vaccinations. She told us of the need to educate the public about the importance of vaccinations for public health. Each state has laws regarding this need, but Arizona’s laws make it easy to refuse.
Dave Greene from Big Brothers/Big Sisters told us of their bowling fundraiser on March 6-7, at the Golden Pin Lanes on Miracle Mile. They have 200 kids that need a Big! You can volunteer, bowl, or donate, but get started at
Jill LaBrie from Court Appointed Special Advocates told us they have been in existence for 33 years providing advocates for kids in the Arizona Child Protective Services system (now DCS). Today only 3% of 3800 kids in the system have an advocate. TV station KOLD is having a public campaign to recruit volunteers. Volunteers receive excellent training, and can choose the age of their kids. Jill is available for speaking at groups. Call her for information at 724-9238, or This is a chance to be a consistent adult in the life of a vulnerable child.
Burney Starks of the San Xavier Kiwanis Club told us of their continuing work with the Student of the Month recognition, and will gladly sell you $5 raffle tickets.
Ella Iafrato from the Oro Valley Kiwanis Club told us of their February 19thfund raiser Dinner in Italy, from 5-7, with food provided by Carabbas. And on March 4th they are sponsoring a celebration of 100 years of Kiwanis, with a social at Borderlands brewery downtown.
John Dunshee from Kiwanis of Tucson-Sunshine told us of 80 kids in the Cienega High School Key Club, available to volunteer, and already donated $2000 to Kiwanis Neo-Natal project. He also said they will support the Beads of Courage El Tour de Campus, where kids are tought the fundamentals of bike riding at the UofA Mall.
The Council will next meet Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 0830.
Arizona Parent Kit Order Form – 2014
Thank you for your willingness to utilize the Arizona Parent Kit with the individuals and families with whom you work. We appreciate your help, and look forward to checking in with you periodically to learn more about how the Parent Kit is being used in your work. To receive Parent Kits, please complete the following form and return it to First Things First –LisetteDeMars, Community Outreach Liaison, Pima County. Thank you!
520-747-1029 (fax)
602-320-4011 (phone)
- Organization Name:
- Organization Address (for shipping Parent Kits):
- Contact Person:
- Contact Person’s Telephone Number:
- Contact Person’s Email Address:
- Number of kits requested :
English ______Spanish ______
- How do you intend to use the Arizona Parent Kit as a tool for the individuals and families with whom you work (i.e. home visiting, parenting classes, etc.)?
- With how many individuals/families do you anticipate using the Arizona Parent Kit?
Thank you!