Volunteers Wanted for Senior and Youth Advisory Groups

The following is from the City of Highland Park:

The City invites members of the public to submit an application to join one of two advisory groups, the Senior Services Advisory Group or the Youth Services Advisory Group. These groups will be asked to review City senior or youth services and provide input into the City’s long-range plans for each.

Each group will be comprised of seven members of the public. A staff member and Council liaison will be present as non-voting members. “Each Group will provide an opportunity for the public to openly discuss and address the needs of these
populations,” Mayor Nancy Rotering stated. “The work of these groups will be another positive step in identifying how to best meet the needs of our seniors and youth in the short and long-term.

The Senior Center is operated by the City’s Division of Senior Services at 54 Laurel Avenue. The Division was created in 1976 to meet the needs of the community’s senior population. A private residence, built in 1929, was purchased to serve as the site of the Senior Center. The building was renovated to accommodate the programming required to operate senior services. Senior programming includes education lectures, social events, luncheons, classes in a variety of areas of interest, a wide selection of exercise classes, trips and tours. Additionally, the Senior Center provides social services including
information and referral, counseling, and a medical device loan closet.

The Firehouse Youth Center is operated by the City’s Division of Youth Services at 1830 Green Bay Road. Recently, an Intergovernmental Agreement was approved for shared youth services between the City, Family Network and the Community House. The agreement plans for the transition of Youth Services to Family Network for operations in 2015, with plans to conduct the program from the Community House in August 2015. The Youth Services program is designed to meet the after school needs of families with children in middle school. Youth programming includes supervision by professional staff who offer youth assistance with homework, and enriching activities to develop their potential and build confidence. The Intergovernmental Agreement was initiated following a review of opportunities to collaborate with partner agencies to enhance services as well as find cost efficiencies through shared services.

Applications can be found on the City’s website at www.cityhpil.com and must be submitted to the City
Manager’s Office no later than November 10, 2014. Questions should be directed to the City Manager’s
Office at (847) 926-1000. Updates on the status of the groups’ findings will be provided through City
communication including the Highlander, electronic newsletter, website and social media.