Coalition for Youth in East Rockaway hosts forum

By Mary Malloy

The Coalition for Youth in East Rockaway’s Education Task Force, led by Tara Gonzalez and Stephanie Johanson, held its first information session on Oct. 12 at the East Rockaway Senior Center.

With about 40 people in attendance and, with the help of an in-depth visual aid display that she brought with her, guest speaker Detective Jacky Jones Ford from the Hempstead Police Department spoke about drug identification —Jones-Ford also spoke about bullying and gangs. Many audience members asked questions regarding police presence in the neighborhood.

“Detective Ford brought to our attention some signs of drug use that every parent would be able to detect, signs that your child is being bullied, as well as a lot of acronyms the kids are using today in their text messages that many of us read as a foreign language,” said Theresa Barto, president of the coalition. “She brought light to many dark corners that we as parents and community members do not understand.”

Barto also applauded East Rockaway Recreation Director Kristen O’Hagan as being a “driving force” behind the programs and activities that the coalition has been able to assemble for the kids. “Kristen has been working with the coalition from the beginning, to do exactly what this coalition was created for — to provide the youth of East Rockaway with a safe, drug-free environment. Because of Kristen’s tireless efforts we have been able to provide these programs free of charge.” Barto said that, along with recognizing the problems with youths in the village, the community needs to recognize all of the positive things that [the youths] are doing as well.

Barto and the board are accepting suggestions for future informational meetings, guest speakers and seminars. “The entire coalition board feels that, with the help of our entire steering committee, that we are starting to see a difference.”

The next topic for the Coalition will be “Parenting with Limit Setting,” with the date to be announced. For more information on the Coalition log onto: www.coalitionforyouthiner.info