CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
February 7, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Benita DeFrank, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: UPDATE REGARDING COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM AND ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Review staff’s presentation on Community Services program and activities and discuss the information contained therein; Provide direction to staff regarding the trajectory of programming outlined in the presentation; and, Receive and file this report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With the Great Recession of 2008, the City’s Community Services Division budget and staffing were greatly reduced, which consequently limited the recreational, youth and community programming the City was able to offer to Pomona residents. The Community Services Overview presentation (Attachment 1) will provide an update on Community Services, highlighting key points in its history, recent growth, and current trajectory. The presentation will focus on youth programming, as well as highlight some of the programmatic and staffing impacts of the pandemic.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION: On October 18, 2021, the Mayor requested a presentation to City Council from staff providing an overview of Community Services and youth programming.
DISCUSSION
Youth services and programming exist to provide a sense of belonging, a safe space, and the opportunity for youth to build relationships and enjoy an array of activities to gain new skills. However, for more than a decade following the Great Recession, Community Services has struggled under the weight of reduced funding pressures that lead to reductions in staff, programming, services and City events.
In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to rebuild Community Services through programming, collaborations, classes, and events. Examples include the creation of after school sports leagues, specialty camps, and City special events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Haunted House, Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park, etc.
A concerted effort to increase community-based partnerships was developing when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2019, prompting the Division to pivot from expanding partnerships and programming, to safely meeting the needs of community in alternative ways. This included delivering meals to senior residents, weekly outreach to housebound seniors, creating a virtual community center platform for youth and community classes, establishing Pomona Connect as a way to engage the community, and hosting vaccine, testing and food distribution events.
Fortunately, through Council’s recent financial support, as well as new grant funding, resources are now available to further advance programing for Pomona’s youth.
The Community Services Division is of the firm belief that the more positive activities that occur in the parks and community centers, the more it will deter illegal and unwanted negative activity. The reduction of negative activity will help to promote more positive activities and use, thus making parks safer spaces and available for their intended purpose of recreation and community. Furthermore, the Division believes that providing increased access to free, quality, youth focused activities can impact the Pomona community in a positive way today and for generations to come.
The attached presentation provides a general overview and history of budget, staffing, and partnerships, as well as the exciting trajectory in which the City and its partners are heading.
Staff has recently provided programmatic presentations and updates to both the Park and Recreation Commission and the Youth Commission, receiving both of their support in the Division’s current trajectory. Staff is seeking Council’s input and support as Community Services looks to impact more youth, families, and all residents in more meaningful ways.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the June 21, 2021 City Council Priority 4: Safe and Clean Community – Goal M: Improve safety and cleanliness at parks and public spaces.
Prepared by:
Monica Belloso, Technical Specialist II
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Community Services Overview
Update on Community Services Program and Activities