City of Santa Fe Mayor's Youth Advisory Board met Sept. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 5:05pm
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Member Cadence Gonzales
Member Nolan Hall
Member Jason Bowen
Member Jose Esquivel
Member Lilah Chang
Member Thomas Heikker
Member Ziara Esquivel
Members Excused:
Member Niveditha Bala
Member Avi Pope
Member Valeria Ramirez
Others Attending:
Julie Sanchez, Clerk
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Member Gonzales moved, seconded by Member Esquivel, to approve the as presented.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Gonzales, Member Hall, Member Esquivel
Against: None
Abstain: None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of August 19, 2021 Minutes
MOTION: Member Gonzales moved, seconded by Member Esquivel, to approve the minutes as presented.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Gonzales, Member Hall, Member Esquivel
Against: None
Abstain: None
5. OLD BUSINESS
No old business
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. MYAB Subcommittee Breakout Sessions
I) Midtown Report Out
II) Teen Center Report Out
III) Youth Mental Health/Substance Abuse Report Out
Members met in respective subcommittees.
Report out on substance abuse: peer pressure is an issue but there is also another part of the story. Mental health plays a part – learning how to be kind of yourself and how to cope without using drugs. Education plays a role – that includes knowing how these substances are harmful. The narrative on drugs is a response to stress and negative things go on in your life. Life stressors are hard – post pandemic drug use will be on the rise with the lack of education, kids being trapped in abusive households, and drugs may be a viable coping mechenicism. Thinking about a group of ambassadors, peer counselors – trained and educating youth for teens to talk to. Group of educated teens going to schools – like the lower grades teaching kids how to be educated about substances and mental health. Member Hall brought up a lot of the education on drugs is getting people off drugs rather than prevention of youth taking drugs.
Report out on Midtown: brainstorming on the campus and how it can be turned around similar to the winrock center in ABQ. Having shops, retail, offices, and maybe another teen youth center. Reaching out to the whole school at their schools to survey what students would like to see at Midtown. The group reached out to the DPAC team but haven't heard anything back.
7. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. Update on Special Projects and Youth and Family Initiatives
The Youth and Family Services Division Director gave an update on activities of the Division.
Councilor Cassutt gave an update on possible future presentations and reminded members to submit their ideas for the 100 things to do list.
8. MATTERS FROM THE COMMITTEE
No matters from the board members
9. MATTERS FROM THE CHAIR
Chair requests reaching out to their respective subcommittee members.
10. NEXT MEETING: No Meeting Scheduled
11. ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 6:12PM
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