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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