The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) met remotely on Monday evening, October 19, as Chair Jennifer Liebermann called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.  In addition to the members of the Committee, Jaclyn Winer, Director of the Youth and Family Services, Kirsten Rancourt and Intern William Sullivan, both Community Therapists, Intern Carrie Buddington, and student representatives Brian Sahagian and Stephanie Farrell were in attendance.

Liebermann requested Winer deliver her Director’s Report for the month of October.  Winer shared that Kirsten Glavin on Boston’s FOX25 TV station interviewed her last week. The interview highlighted pandemic stress on adolescents. To see the interview, click ->http://Fox 25 Interview with Jackie Winer

Winer then gave an overview of the Holliston Rent and Relief program (HRR website).  Of the $25,000 funded by CARES Act granted to the Town of Holliston and Youth and Family Services, $22, 247 was used to assist nine families.  Winer said, “I was taken back by the needs out there.”  The Holliston Community Action Fund  (HCAF) partnered with YFS to help distribute the funds.  John Drohan, Director of the HCAF and YAC member, thanked Winer and credited her for making the procedure “seamless.”  Winer was leaving tonight to attend the Select Board’s meeting to recommend it consider a second round of Rent and Relief awards.

The YAC voted to approve bringing a request before the Select Board and Finance Committee to fund a grant writer in the amount of $10,000 for the Drug Free Communities Grant (DFC).  This item had been tabled prior to the 2020 Annual Town Meeting due to the COVID 19 pandemic, despite the item having had widespread community support.   The Holliston Drug and Alcohol Coalition “feels that substance use is increasing at alarming rates as the pandemic continues and the need for coordinated prevention efforts is ever more important,” writes Winer in her Director’s Report.  “It is really important for the [Select] Board to consider this now,” said Winer, which is the reason she asked the YAC to help move it forward. 

Chair Liebermann (above) reminded new members of the need to be sworn in and complete the State Ethics Test.  Additionally, she spoke of the need fill an open seat on the Council.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM.  The next meeting of the Youth Advisory Council is Monday, November 16, at 7 PM.