Policy Order O-6

WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the Cambridge City Council that the YWCA Cambridge and the YWCA Boston, in a joint initiative, are requesting that $350,000 be included in the federal FY 12 Commerce/Justice/Science Appropriations Bill to target growing at-risk youth populations in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville neighborhoods with documented incidences of youth violence and racially-motivated crimes; and

WHEREAS: This project is based upon the YWCA Boston's very successful Community Dialogues program.  It fits well with the YWCA mission to "eliminate racism", and the YWCA's history of being a catalyst for change; and

WHEREAS: The YWCA will utilize this funding to expand its professionally-facilitated, interracial community improvement program for disenfranchised neighborhoods, adult residents, proven-risk youth, young adults involved in the criminal justice system and law enforcement officials.  The project's goals are to help reduce recidivism rates, youth violence and racially-motivated crimes, and increase residents' civic engagement in affected neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS: Representatives from the YWCA Boston be meeting with staff members in both Senator Kerry's office and Representative Capuano's office to discuss this request and support from the Cambridge City Council would certainly help them; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That The Cambridge City Council go on record confirming its support for said appropriations request; and be in further

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this order to the Cambridge Legislative Delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.