CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
September 4, 2018

Dear Cambridge Matters Readers:

Kathy Foster forwarded to the mayor and commissioners the short email below along with the attached. I hope that you had a chance to board the ship when it was here in early August. All the best.

Steve

—–Original Message—–
Good Morning:

In case anyone missed it, attached is the thank you that was published in the Star Democrat last week.

Kathy

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CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
August 27, 2018

Dear Readers:

Attached is my unofficial report on our most recent City Council meeting. While there were not as many residents attending Monday night, the issues raised during the public comment portion of the meeting made it clear that more and more people are coming to understand the importance of civic engagement if we are going to continue on a positive trend here in Cambridge.

Late last week I sent out a Cambridge Matters email that talked about the new Police Athletic League that is coming to Cambridge and the need for volunteers. At our meeting on the 27th, City Council approved receiving the grant and placing $20,500 in the police budget. I am not aware if anyone has decided that he or she wants to volunteer in any way to support the children of this community, but no one has contacted me seeking information on where they might help. School is about to start and there are children in the Dorchester County Public Schools who are unable to read or have difficulty in reading, and you can be someone who can help them, if you will volunteer.

As I mentioned in that earlier email, go to the school website, find the “Let’s Talk” Icon, and provide information to someone in the school system who can find the right place for you to help.

Thanks for reading.

Steve

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CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
August 24, 2018

Dear Readers:

Last evening I went to a Community Parent Meeting that was called by Shay Lewis-Sisco and Erin Hill. There were more city, county, and school representatives there than parents, but the parents who were there were interested in and volunteered to do something to help Cambridge youth succeed. When I thought about how many parents and other adults need to participate in this effort and other similar efforts in our community, I brought with me the 12 Rules of Mission and Change that has been my focus for over 20 years. While I know that I have shared these with some of you, they are attached for those who may not have seen them. If we are going to help change and improve the lives of the children here, we have to start somewhere. These rules may help give you a focus of what you might want to do and how to go about doing it.

At the meeting there were two Cambridge Police Officers – Foster and Washington – who spoke about the recent grant that the police department received from the Governor’s Office and the plans of the police department to begin a Police Athletic League (PAL) program here. This is not the first program that the Cambridge Police Department has started or is running for youth and young adults but is a new one that needs the help of the community in the way of volunteers to work with the youth who sign up to join the PAL.

We learned that the plan at this point is to begin at Maces Lane Middle School, and the hope is to start with two days a week. It will be after school for a couple of hours that will include sports, homework, snacks, and having a good time in a safe place. The requirement of the program is to have at least one adult available for every 7 children who will be attending and will be of all ages from around 6-18 years of age and grouped accordingly.

The police department cannot provide all of the adults as mentors and supervisors. They need the community’s help. As I mentioned in my last Cambridge Matters, we as a community need to step forward to take an active part in addressing some of the challenges that our community faces regarding our youth. Officers Foster and Washington explained they grew up in communities that had PALs that were life saving for them. They loved hanging out with the police in their communities and being able to be in a safe place, playing, and getting help with their homework. From their experiences here in Cambridge, it is clear to them, and they made it clear to us, that our children here need a PAL program and caring adults that can devote time to the youth who want to participate.

Without adult volunteers, however, the number of children who will be able to participate will be limited. That is where you come in. The program is just beginning to be formed and a structure established so now would be the time to let officers Foster and Washington know of your interest. You can email me, if you would like, and I can get your contact information to them. You can call the police department regular number and leave a message there.

If you want to volunteer in some other way, such as the school system, you can go on the school website and use the “Let’s Talk” page there to let Valerie Goff or the Principal of the school where you want to volunteer know of your interest. There are two reading programs for elementary school students that are available depending on the amount of time you have to give. Both will help young students who are having challenges with their reading.

If you want to volunteer but do not know what you want to do or where to do it, email me; and I will work with you to find the right place for you.

One of the probation officers that I worked with years ago had a slogan that I remember that I hope speaks to you – “Mentor a Child. Change two lives”.

Thanks for considering this request.

Steve

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CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
August 14, 2018

Welcome to new readers of Cambridge Matters.

Attached is my report from last night’s meeting. Each time we meet I continue to see progress being made, slowly and sometimes surely. Last night’s meeting had some interesting and important twists that I hope will lead you to decide to do something to help.

All the best.

Steve

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