Each July, the members of the SYC go on a leadership retreat to bond as a team and set their goals for the upcoming school year.  For the 2008-09 school year, the Strongsville Youth Commission has chosen to focus on the following issues:

Team Darfur – The situation in Darfur ( Africa ) is an ongoing situation.  Not many people even know what is going on there.  That is were Team Darfur comes in.  This group is looking to create more awareness about this situation through a free movie showing that explains the situation and what the public can do to help.  They will also be hosting a pasta dinner on Sunday, November 9^th from 5:00 – 7:00pm at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center . All money from ticket sales will go to a genocide intervention group that is currently focusing on the issues in Darfur .  

   Group members:  Joanie Moser, Bevin Blake, Alex Brown, Kevin Zitelli, Mike Depauw

Equal Education – This group is looking to “Give the gift of knowledge” through their projects this year.  The group members will be adopting a local elementary school.  They have chosen Buhrer Elementary in West Cleveland .  This school has 453 students, 423 of which are on free lunches.  This Youth Commission group will be collecting school supplies to be donated to the school as well as volunteering their time after school to help tutor the children. Collection boxes are located in Ehrnfelt Recreation Center at the Spirit Shop at St. Mary’s in Berea . They not only want to focus on equal education locally but globally as well.  They will be contacting Strongsville schools to set up Pennies for Peace.  All money collected through Pennies for Peace is used to supply school supplies and build schools in impoverished countries over seas.  This group believes that “by reaching out to those students who are willing to learn, they are not only helping them in the present but helping to prepare them for life after school.”

   Group members:  Brianna Horn, Megan McManus, Abby Pautz, Mahima Venkatesh, Julianne, Joshalyn Barba, Josh Rembold, Christina Ezinski

Environmental Preservation:  “There is something for everyone to learn” about environmental preservation.  This group is hosting a Go Green ‘A-Wear-Ness’ Day to educate Strongsville and surrounding cities’ residents on easy ways they can help.  The event will be held at the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center on November 15^th from 10:00am – 12:00pm.  Activities at this event will include a fashion show, where members will model eco-friendly clothing from local department stores.  There will be information stations on ways to preserve energy and make your home more eco-friendly along with recycling and much more.  The Clevleand Metroparks Zoo will also be on hand, with the help of some of their animals, to talk about animal preservation.   

  Group members:  Kristen Bendzuck, Anthony Walick, David Stauder, Kayla Harrah, Celia Kovalak, Iyere Okojie, Divya Raj

Outreach for Humanity:  This group is looking forward to getting physically involved for their cause.  Along with hosting raffles and collecting donations for local groups they will be volunteering at soup kitchens, habitat for humanity and Ronald McDonald House along with collecting clothing for underprivileged adults.

  Group members: Alyson Harding, Neal Brodnik, Mindy Medlock, Mike O’Brien, Jackie Harper, Stephanie Mueller

Refugee Aid: Cleveland is the home to many refugees from a wide variety of different countries.  These refugees come to America with nothing but the clothes on their back.  This Youth Commission group would like to help the refugees adapt to life in America by setting up apartment living situations through the help of catholic charities, collecting hygiene and household items, and inviting a speaker to come and talk to the other Strongsville Youth Commission  members about the need for refugee support.

  Group members: Brendan Byrne, Amanda Stauder, Avelina Padin, Katie Joacob, Ellen Cuppage, Kaitlin Chervenak