NBMV Rotary is pleased to announce that Michael Johnson was inducted into membership last week.  Michael is shown being inducted by President Gerry Tietz, below.

 

Today’s meeting was at the CPY Spring Luncheon.

 

CPY Board Chair, Brian White, opened the luncheon by reviewing the 21 year history of CPY.  Founded in 1997 to reduce juvenile crime by increasing adult supervision during out of school hours and summer months, CPY has since expanded its service to the community by providing a safety net for at risk youth as well as supporting and enhancing the Mounds View School District.  CPY alumni have returned to connect with and provide service to the community.  CPY’s current mission statement is: “To provide a safe, nurturing environment where youth can strengthen their personalities and develop educational and social skills”.

 

CPY executive Director, Mary Stewart, told the story of “Kayla”, a daughter of drug dealers who had become a bully and was failing her classes at school.  CPY provided the structure and encouragement to improve her grades and behavior, eventually making the honor roll in high school and enrolling in college.  Kayla is soon to graduate with a degree in math education.  Kayla is just one of many students who have benefitted from CPY programming.  Currently, CPY offers programming in the following areas:·

    -Basic Needs – CPY serve over 24,000 meals and snacks each year because students can’t learn if they are hungry.

    -Tutoring & Life Skills Mentoring - CPY offers youth programming in many areas, including: life skills, personal responsibility, goal setting, decision making, optimistic thinking and self-awareness.

 

Mary introduced CPY alumnus Sam Vang.  Sam joined CPY at age 8, about the same time his parents gave him a phone, a house key and responsibility for the care of his younger siblings.  Sam credits his time at CPY as a student, volunteer and eventually as an employee, with instilling him with the kindness, engagement, leadership skills and a sense of family that have paved the way to his graduation from the University of Northwestern with a degree in Psychology.  He plans to use his degree to help youth in a way similar to how he was helped by CPY.

 

Mary next introduced the featured speaker, the Gophers’ all time leading rusher, and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick, Darrell Thompson.  Darrell is the President of Bolder Options, an organization committed to healthy youth development.  Bolder Options shares many of CPY’s youth development goals, but focuses on one-on-one mentorship with a significant physical fitness component.  Darrell outlined Bolder Options’ four pronged approach:

    -Physical Activities       

    -Goal Setting

    -Education

    -Mentoring

For more information about Bolder Options, click here.

 

Brian White returned to the podium to explain that 80% of CPY’s budget is employment costs, and that salaries have risen 20% in recent years in order to attract and retain quality educators.  In response to this situation, Brian announced the Board’s new goal of 200 donors willing to sign up for auto-pay at $20/month.  Achieving this goal would allow CPY to remain competitive in our tight labor market.  Brian thanked all those in attendance for their continuing support of CPY.  For more information about CPY, or to donate if you missed the program today, click here.