Youth Coalition Seeks Task Force Members

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, November 10, 2006

Carrie Crews, program coordinator for the Adams Cheshire Savoy Youth Coalition.

Adams - Adams Middle School student Chelsy Mazza, 12, explained her feelings about community service.

"It's fun to get together with my friends and know that I'm helping out in my community and the environment," she said. "This kind of stuff is really important."

"This kind of stuff" includes the many components of Chelsy's involvement with the Adams Cheshire Savoy Youth Coalition Youth Task Force. Chelsy is a two-year member of the task force.

A Well-Rounded, Active Group

The task force is seeking new members, said Carrie Crews the coalition program coordinator.

"This is a well-rounded, active group," Crews said. "They are all eager to get going on projects."

Students from the three coalition communities between the ages of 11 and 18 are invited to become task force members. The task force meets weekly Wednesday at the Youth Center on East Street from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.. The task force members decide what projects, fundraisers, initiatives , field trips, and other endeavors are to be pursued.

"They are the ones who decide what they are going to do and when they are going to do it," Crews said. "This a group with diverse interests and it shows in their projects."

Activities And Events

Task force members assisted with an October Halloween party held at the Youth Center and participated with a summertime White Mountains camping trip. The trip was sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Task force members traveled to the Northern Berkshire Community television studio in North Adams for some hands-on experience with video equipment and filming.

The task force is currently a single entity. Crews said she hopes to generate enough interest to develop two groups, one for middle school students and another for students in high school.

America's Promise

The coalition focuses on a "Communities of Promise" model established by a group known as "America's Promise." Five committments provide a foundation for communities of promise. The "promises" target what the group believes are youth essentials: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start and future, marketable skills through effective education, and opportunities to help others.

Coalition members offer youth programs including the task force as well as programs created and offered by the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Berkshire Humane Society, the Youth Center, Berkshire Dance Theater, and other groups.

Task force members deliver a tremendous amount of energy to the coalition, Crews said.

"I really am proud to be able to work with them," she said.

Those interested in becoming a Youth Task Force member may contact Crews at 413-743-3550 or a a ccrews@acsyouth.org e-mail address.

Additional information about the Adams Cheshire Savoy Youth Coalition may be acquired a a www.acsyouth.org Internet web site.

Additional information about America's Promise may be acquired at a www.americaspromise.org Internet web site.

Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.