Youth Activities Task Force

Saadia Athias, Chair

Created in 1982, the Youth Activities Task Force (YATF) continues to help meet the challenging needs of our community youth. Our efforts continue to make a positive impact in the community that is reflected by the children's enthusiasm and the general support we continue to receive in support of our programs.

YATF again supported sports teams in 2009, as it has in previous years. Approximately 45% of this year's expenditures went to support the football and baseball programs at King-Greenleaf Recreation Center and the football and baseball teams at Jefferson Middle School. We are very proud to continue our long-standing support for both organizations. King-Greenleaf Recreation Center is headed by Center Manager Henry Moton, who does an excellent job. Long-time Southwest volunteer Ronald “Coach Horse” Hines is the backbone behind the sports teams at Jefferson Middle School. Also worthy of praise and thanks are the many adults who give a great deal of their time and financial support to coaching the King-Greenleaf teams.

One of our most successful programs this year has been the “Computer-for-Kids” computer training program which was established in the fall of 2007 under the leadership of YATF member Thelma Jones. That year, 14 youth “graduated” from the 8-week program. In 2008, two more classes were held, one in the spring and the other in the fall; 16 youth “graduated” from these two sessions. In addition, 10 adults also “graduated” from our first adult class. In 2009, there were two more computer classes, one in the spring and one in the fall. Ten youth were “graduates” of these sessions. We are very grateful to the highly skilled, dedicated volunteer instructors, LaShawn Williams, Gerald Brown, Craig Ferguson and Roscoe Holley. Each student receives a refurbished computer for their home, with the understanding they will teach other household members the skills they have learned in the program and participate in a periodic survey. This program had several partners, as follows: SWNA Technology Task Force, King-Greenleaf Recreation Center, James Creek Resident Council, and First Time Computers. In addition, support was received from Safeway, Washington Cable, Southwest Catering Company and ANC Commissioners Rhonda Hamilton and Ron McBee. A special acknowledgement goes to River Park Friends for awarding us a $1,000 grant for this program.

A new program initiated in 2009 was a photography class taught by volunteer Dasan Bobo. In the 8-week program, students learned the basics of photography and their inter-relationship with computers. Seven students graduated from the inaugural class. The two top students were awarded digital cameras. Another program Thelma Jones has been leading for the past several years is the “Safe Sitters” class in which she, very ably assisted by Eugenia Norde, trains adolescents ages 11-13 to be effective child sitters for their siblings and other children. This summer, a Safe Sitter class was held at the South Washington Family Strengthening Collaborative's summer camp, located at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School. Sixteen youth completed this program.

For the third year, a new group of current and former Southwest residents that had formed an organization called the Southwest Comm-Unity Forum put together a summer fun day event called “Southwest Unity Day.” It has been a very successful, well-attended weekend event. YATF contributed $500 for this event. YATF also contributed $300 to assist the public housing tenant council with their “Back-to-School” event.

YATF continues to be proud of its accomplishments and gratefully acknowledges the support of our patrons and the community at large. The year 2010 brings new leadership for YATF, as Saadia Athias becomes Chair. Saadia has been very active in advocacy for Southwest youth and is eager to further her work through the YATF. Remaining focused on our mission and increasing our membership will help to ensure that we provide support to our community youth and help achieve the overall developmental changes.

Current YATF members:

Ashley Forman, Rhonda Hamilton, Cheryl Hansberry-Moore, Jennifer Hawkins, April Hines, Thelma Jones, Dale MacIver, Lenora Moragne, Eugenia Norde, Sonya Sconiers, Delmar Weathers, Niles White and Eve Wilkins.