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The Amherst Youth & Community Coalition is a diverse group of community leaders, educators, parents and citizens who collaborate to support positive youth development efforts throughout the Town of Amherst. Our group meets monthly to discuss issues, make decisions and take action to support asset development.
Mission, Goals and Principles
- The mission of the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition is to support, promote and link community asset building efforts for youth and their families.
Goals
- Collaborate to support the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition.
- Disseminate current Search Institute survey results of our elementary, middle school and high school youth.
- Support activities to reduce underage drinking.
- Recognize businesses that support youth.
- Partner with youth in developing a healthy community.
- Encourage communications among schools, families, youth, adults and the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition.
- Reach out to communities beyond the Town of Amherst to share ideas and resources to create a common vision.
Guiding Principles
- Recognize and build strengths in young people.
- Create meaningful connections with family members, schools, adults, peers, young children and the community.
- Inspire, invite and empower all adults and youth to contribute to the well-being of the community.
- Engage youth as partners in planning activities and evaluating programs.
- Recognize youth as resources, contributors and leaders in asset building efforts.
2022 Amherst Youth & Community Coalition Members
- Michael J. Belle-Isle, Amherst Central School District, Assistant Superintendent for Student & Staff Services
- Jacqualine Berger, Deputy Supervisor, Amherst Town Board
- Crystal Kaczmarek-Bogner, Community Member, Parent Representative
- Olivia Case, University at Buffalo, AOD College Prevention Coordinator
- Dr. Rosa D’Abate, Williamsville Central School District, Coordinator of Student Services
- Karen Dobos, Community Member
- Laura Ehrenreich, Town of Amherst Youth & Recreation Department, Recreation Supervisor
- Vanita L. Jamison, The Prevention Council of Erie County, Director of Community Based Programs
- Honorable Geoff Klein, Amherst Town Court, Judge
- Robin Klein, Community Member
- Dr. Susan McClary, Community Member
- Kathy Mobarak-Miller, Town of Amherst Youth & Recreation Department, Asset Development Specialist
- Ann M. Nichols, Community Member, Parent Representative
- Anne Nowak, Sweet Home Family Support Center, Coordinator
- Mary-Diana Pouli, Town of Amherst Youth & Recreation Department, Executive Director
- Kate Powell, Amherst Youth Consortium, Youth Representative
- Anne Rohrer, Coalition Coordinator
- Peggy Romano, Scintillae-Rising Stars, President
- Sally Yageric, Community Member
Affiliate Members
- Dr. Anna Cieri, Community Member
Articles
The Amherst Youth & Community Coalition is fortunate to have the Amherst Bee as a supportive media partner. A monthly Task Force column appears in the Amherst Bee. Please visit the Amherst Bee website or links below for related articles:
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- November 2021
- October 2021
- October 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- April 2019
Asset Development/Search Institute Survey Information
The Town of Amherst Youth Board, working closely with the Amherst, Sweet Home and Williamsville Central School Districts, has to date, administered several Search Institute Wellness Surveys of Student Attitudes and Behaviors. The survey results are used as a basis for long-range program planning to positively impact on the lives of our community’s young people and their families.
The result has identified 40 developmental assets, or building blocks, that enhance the health and well-being of young people and assist them in being successful at home, school and in the community. The more “assets” that young people have , the less risky behavior they will exhibit. Assets have been identified for each age grouping: infant, toddler, pre-school, elementary school and adolescent.
Help kids grow healthy and promote developmental assets.
- Feel loved and supported by family.
- Can communicate positively and talk openly with parents.
- Has 3 other positive adults (besides parents) in their life.
- Has neighbors that care about them.
- School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
- Parents are involved in school.
- Adults value youth in community.
- Young person is given useful roles in the community.
- Young person helps others 1 hour per week or more.
- Feels safe at school, home and in their neighborhood.
- Family has clear rules and consequences and knows whereabouts at all times.
- School provides clear rules and boundaries.
- Neighbors watch and report young people’s behavior.
- Adults act in a positive and responsible way.
- Young person’s friends act in a responsible way.
- Parents encourage them to do well.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in music, arts, or theatre.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in sports, clubs or organizations.
- Spends 1 hour per week or more in religious activities.
- Only hangs out with friends with nothing to do two or less nights a week.
- Wants to do well in school.
- Participates in class.
- Does one hour or more of homework each day.
- Cares about his/her school.
- Reads for fun 3 or more hours per week.
- Places high value on helping other people.
- Believes in equality and helping hungry/needy.
- Acts on convictions and stands up for his/her beliefs.
- Tells the truth even though it may not be easy.
- Accepts and takes personal responsibility.
- Believes it is important to be drug free and not sexually active.
- Knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
- Shows empathy, sensitivity and respects the feeling of others.
- Knows about and feels okay with other cultures.
- Resists negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
- Resolves problems without the use of violence.
- Feels he or she has control over what happens to them.
- High sense of self-esteem.
- Feels that they have a purpose in life.
- Optimistic about his or her personal future and plans
Underage Drinking Initiative
Public Service Announcements Videos
Safe Proms and Safe Graduations
On behalf of all concerned adults and youth, the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition yearly communicates with limousine operators, hotel/motel owners and managers. We ask them to follow guidelines, which would protect our young people during prom and graduation celebrations.
Guidelines for Limousine Companies
- All drivers’ backgrounds and driving records are checked.
- Only the most responsible and safest adults should be driving our children.
- Have commercial or livery insurance.
Guidelines for Hotels and Motels
Discourage the rental of rooms for the purpose of gathering of young people who wish to party. The use of alcohol and other drugs are common at these gatherings. Many times, situations may arise which are unsafe, unhealthy and illegal when alcohol is present.
Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth
Youth and Recreation
1615 Amherst Manor Dr
Williamsville,
NY
14221
(716)
631-7132
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Mon-Fri)
10:00 AM - 2:00PM (Sat)
Youth and Recreation
Programs
Family Room
Northtown Center at Amherst
Organizations
Partners & Publications
Youth and Recreation
Pouli, Mary-Diana
Executive Director
631-7132 ext.
7532
Guzdek, Eric
Deputy Director Recreation
631-7132 ext.
7512
Barth , Dave
Laborer
631-7132
Burns, Jared
Program Leader
631-7132
Bush, Brian
Supervising Maintenance Mechanic - HVAC
631-7132
Cassiol, Jason
Laborer
631-7132
Cicero, Donna
Clerk - PT
631-7132 ext.
7514
Ehrenreich, Laura
Recreation Supervisor
631-7132 ext.
7522
Erwin, Robin
Clerk - PT
631-7217
Fischer, Patrice
Principal Clerk Typist
631-7132 ext.
7520
Graczyk, Elizabeth
Resource Coordinator
631-7132 ext.
7550
Groff, Linda
Recreation Attendant
631-7132 ext.
7529
Holmes, Michele
Program Leader
631-7208
Hopkins, Mary Beth
Program Coordinator
631-7218
Ignaszak, Brian
Program Leader
631-7132 ext.
7519
Kiefer-Warren, Joann
Program Leader
631-7132 ext.
7516
Laudico, Alan
Program Leader
633-8117
Lefebvre, Heidi
Project Coordinator
631-7132 ext.
7514
Lorenzo, Angelo
Program Leader
631-7132 ext.
7517
McCarthy, Roseanne
Public Relations Coordinator
631-7132 ext.
7521
Meizlik, Jonathan
Laborer
631-7132
Miles, Jim
Laborer Crew Chief
631-7132
Miller, Kathy
Asset Development Specialist
631-7132 ext.
7523
Mohney, Sue
Program Leader
631-7299
Norton, Kristen
Program Leader
631-7218
Pierce, Margaret
Clerk
631-7132
Reed, Jennifer
Program Leader
689-1404
Rohrer, Anne
Clerk
631-7132 ext.
7518
Sember, Andrew
Recreation Attendant
631-7132
Stravalaci, Antonella
Director of Volunteers
631-7210
Sykes, Scott
Maintenance Worker
631-7132
Vega, Tony
Working Crew Chief
631-7132
Waltz, Bradley
Recreation Supervisor
631-7132 ext.
7528
Wendling, Jim
Maintenance Worker
689-1418
Whitehead, James
Laborer Crew Chief
631-7132
Zapfel, Janice
Deputy Director Youth
631-7132 ext.
7511
Summer Concert Series at Bassett Park
Please see attached listing of upcoming summer concerts and events at Bassett Park.
Click to view document
Click for website link
Posted on Jun 01, 2023 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Outdoor Summer Movies
Please see attached listing of the 2023 outdoor summer movie series.
Click to view document
Click for website link
Posted on Jun 01, 2023 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Pools Open June 20
The Clearfield and North Forest Pools will open for the season on June 20. Please go to www.amherstyouthandrec.org and check the Summer Program Guide for days and times.
Click for website link