Palm River Youth Corp.

Beginning this Summer 2006, the POINT launched the PR1 Youth Corp., a Community Mapping program for kids ages 12-15. During the 8-week program, kids had the opportunity to identify resources in Palm River and participate in planning for the revitalization of their Community and earn extra money!

The PR1 Youth Corp. program operates under the umbrella of our Palm River 1st Initiative, enabling the youth in the area to achieve the following goals:

• Identify resources in Palm River that are lacking or need improvement
• Participate in the Community Planning Process currently underway
• Successfully participate in program activities and fulfill requirements
• Present their findings to residents, members of the Advisory Committee, Community organizations and the Planning Commission staff.

Mapping Palm River's Future

PR1 Youth Corp. has been the catalyst in using technology to address Community issues. Each student received handheld PDA�s and software to mark and map trash sites, hang out sites and areas of flooding. From this data, they were able to produce maps of the corresponding locations.

We are teaching technology to these kids while still providing useful information to the Planning Commission and the Community. We wanted to make sure there was a youth component and that they play and active role in this Community planning process, said the instructor for the PR1 Youth Corp.

These maps were presented to residents, members of the Advisory Committee and County officials at their Program Graduation on July 26th, 2006 so this information can be used for the ongoing Community planning process in Palm River.

The POINT is working with University of South Florida Learning Service Project to conduct a series of workshops in February and March 2007 about community planning, student leadership and presentation skills. Dates and times will be announced in January 2007.

For more information on registration for next summer and details on the planning process contact Tanya Shevchik, Program Coordinator at 813-628-9179. Click here to view our current events calendar and sign up to attend one of our upcoming events.

Focused solutions can produce big smiles! Sign up to receive email updates when this and other Greater Palm River Point CDC pages change. Click here to Sign Up Now!

To download/view brochures and newsletters on this and our other exciting programs provided at our Greater Palm River Point CDC facilities please click here to view our Resources page.