City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00871 7/25/2023 Discussion Item 1.
2023 Summer at City Hall (S@CH) Student Presentations
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and file reports from the 2023 Summer @ City Hall students related to:
1) Awareness for Youth Programs in Sacramento (Team Da Vinci); 2) Addressing Clothing Waste and Clothing Affordability (Team Pink Posse); 3) The Dangers of Fentanyl (Team Red Dogs);
4) Homelessness and Job Accessibility (Team Dreamers);
5) Human Trafficking, Safety, Prevention, and Identifiers (Team Cali Kids); 6) Homelessness Prevention in Sacramento (Team Purple Panthers) Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808-6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment Presenter: Summer @ City Hall Link Crews
1. Team Da Vinci
2. Team Pink Posse
3. Team Red Dogs
4. Team Dreamers
5. Team Cali Kids
6. Team Purple Panthers
Attachments:
Item 1.1: Team Da Vinci: Awareness for Youth Programs in Sacramento Item 1.2: Team Pink Posse: Addressing Clothing Waste and Clothing Affordability Item 1.3: Team Red Dogs: The Dangers of Fentanyl
Item 1.4: Team Dreamers: Homelessness and Job Accessibility Item 1.5: Team Cali Kids: Human Trafficking, Safety, Prevention, and Identifiers Item 1.6: Team Purple Panthers: Homelessness Prevention in Sacramento
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
T
itle: Awareness for Youth Programs in Sacramento
F
ile ID: 2023-00871
Loc
ation: Citywide
R
ecommendation: Give awareness and reach out to high school students in your district about youth programs that already exist as well as inform students how it can be a good opportunity to learn and gain skills outside of school.
C
ontact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
P
resenter: Team DaVinci
Abdul Majid Nushin, Hiram W. Johnson High School, 11th Grade, @ Large Benjamin Lee, School of Engineering and Sciences, 10th Grade, D7 Nathan Taghap, Inderkum High School, 12th Grade, D1
Rumana Dhakal, Natomas Pacific Pathways Preparatory High School, 11th Grade, D1 Anaya Flagler-Glass, John F. Kennedy High School, 10th Grade, @ Large Elaine Yang, John F. Kennedy High School, 11th Grade, D5 Tanvi Sagwal, Natomas High School, 11th Grade, D3
Emiliano Titman, Natomas High School 10th Grade, D3
Nikita Karachev, Inderkum High School, 12th Grade, D3
Yasmine Aguilar, S@CH Teacher (1st Year)
A
ttachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Statistical Data
3- Billboard Ad & Flyer
D
escription Analysis:
Issue Detail: Throughout Sacramento, the percentages of students graduating from college are incredibly low. While the high school graduation rate is 82.30%, the college graduation rate is only 29.39%. This sharp drop is largely because middle and high school students are unsure of what they are passionate about and want to pursue in the future. Furthermore, most students can’t afford to go to college and are not aware of the scholarship and financial aid opportunities. Another significant factor that results in the low graduation rate is the lack of awareness among youth about the numerous opportunities available to them in Sacramento.
Studies show that 42% of students dropout of college because of financial pressure.
The high tuition rate, inflation, and rising cost of living all contribute to the financial pressure that college students experience. Another reason for the high dropout rate is that students are not passionate about the career path that they initially chose. Since students are not passionate about their major, they give up and don’t want to continue studying it anymore. About 30% of students drop out because they think their major is not the right fit.
An action that could help with our issues is to spread awareness about programs already in place in Sacramento. There are various programs that help youth. One program is College Track that assists students to find the career they want to explore and pursue while helping them financially. College Track holds classes to inform students about different careers, colleges, and scholarship opportunities. Furthermore, College Track notifies students of internship opportunities in various fields so that they can take advantage of them and gain first-hand experience.
Another program that is in place in Sacramento is the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). The program is a paid, strengths-based program for high school seniors with special barriers. The WIOA program targets young people who are both in and out of school to assist them in their career path and development. Brigette Edwards, the Program Coordinator, said, every youth program’s goal is to “bring out the best in young people, including competency building skills, social skills, life skills, academic improvement, motivation, [and] community involvement…”. Bringing awareness to such youth programs is very important to the future of the young generation and improving everyone’s lives as a whole.
In conclusion, addressing the low graduation rate in Sacramento requires a serious approach. Students' uncertainty about their passion and career path, limited financial resources, lack of awareness and knowledge about financial aid, scholarship, and opportunities increase the challenges students face when completing their educational journey. However, there are actions that can be taken to mitigate these issues such as rising awareness about youth programs, internships, projects, etc. We believe this action can empower students to overcome the obstacles they face, while at the same, inspiring them to pursue their education with determination and purpose. The collaborative effort between organizations and the local government can help us adopt an environment where every student in Sacramento has a fair chance to be educationally successful and achieve their full potential.
Statistical Data: The first portion of data is information online derived in 2018 and the following data are based on a survey targeted towards high school students in Sacramento about their knowledge on youth programs.
Data from survey
Students Who Joined Youth Programs
Students Who Did Not Join Youth Programs
Billboard Ad & Flyer
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
Title: Addressing Clothing Waste and Clothing Affordability
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Our project city hall goal is to reduce the amount of clothing waste made by people, in order to reduce the economic and environmental effects that are brought by throwing away clothes. We want to achieve this goal by implementing a clothing swap event where people can bring and trade their unwanted clothes. This would promote reusing clothes and giving other people things that one may not want anymore, but others will.
Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
Presenter: Team Pink Posse
Madelyn A. Crancer, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 11th grade (D1) Alitza Ramirez, Rio Linda High, 12th grade (D1)
Rishi Chilmakuri, Inderkum High School, 12th grade (D1) Bianca Khoshcar, Pondorosa high school, 10th ( At large) Michael Lopes, Rio Linda High, 10th ( At large)
Jamie Vides, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 10th grade (D 3) Nathaniel Sanchez, Rosemont High school, 10th grade (At large) Aaron Emmanuel Pulido Maciel, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 11th (D1) Xavion Andre L’Ecluse, Mira Loma High School, 10th graden (D2) Tanjot Kaur Gill, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 12th Grade (D1) Simar Gill, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 12th Grade (D1) Coraline Maddox Lozano, John F. Kennedy High School, 10th Grade (D7) Jaspal Supras, S@CH Teacher. (1st year)
Attachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Billboard Ad & Flyer
Description Analysis:
Issue Detail: As the clothing industry continues to grow, we are faced with two growing problems in Sacramento: clothing waste and clothing unaffordability. Every year, Californians spend more than $70 million to dispose of used textiles in landfills. Ninety- five percent of this material is reusable or recyclable. Furthermore, retail clothing prices remain high while Goodwill prices are constantly increasing and becoming less affordable.
The recent increase of clothing store pricing began due to the growing trend in social media making thrifting more appealing to the public. However, this has made thrifting prices spike up. J. Peter, someone who has been shopping at Goodwill over the last 10 years, has noticed a recent increase in the price of women’s tops. In previous years, women’s tops wouldn't go over more than 5 dollars. However, those same tops have recently been approaching the price of 10 dollars or more. Even accounting for inflation, this is a major problem in and of itself, and it is one which is hurting Sacramento residents who need these clothes to remain cheap.
Billboard Ad & Flyer:
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
Title: The Dangers of Fentanyl
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Our team believes that the City of Sacramento should take more initiative in educating the community on the danger of fentanyl and how to prevent fentanyl overdose. We believe the city can achieve this by partnering with existing organizations to bring their presentations to wider audiences. We would like to increase awareness at home with families on the suffering that can be caused by fentanyl.
Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
Presenter: Team Red Dogs
Mariah McKinley, Rosemont High School, 10th Grade (D6)
Ziqi Lin, West Campus High School, 11th Grade (D4)
Gregor Yasmine, C.K. McClatchy High School, 10th Grade (D7) Brandon Lee, Hiram W. Johnson High School, 11th Grade (D6) Meredith Gore, Highlands Community Charter School, 11th Grade (D6) Tyler Mar, Inderkum High School, 12th Grade (D1)
Rilewa Ayoade, Inderkum High School, 11th Grade (D1)
Sabrina Mirza, Inderkum High School, 11th Grade (D1)
Jessica Chahal, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School, 12th Grade (D1) Haniyah Fareedi, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School, 10th Grade (D1) Jaspal Supra, S@CH Teacher. (1st year)
Attachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Billboard Ad
Description Analysis:
Issue Detail: The rise in fentanyl usage here in Sacramento, has been increasing for the past few years. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the youth in the city have been clinging to drugs to help them cope with depression and other empty feelings that have been on the rise. Tony Thurmond, a State Superintendent of Public Instruction, has said “Fentanyl deaths accounted for more than 80 percent of all drug-related deaths among California’s young people in 2021.”
Throughout many years, the fentanyl crisis has been increasing due to many other things such as teens not being aware of how dangerous fentanyl is or even, they don't know that it's in the pill they’re taking. Within Sacramento, a spokesperson had provided data showing that in 2021 at least 33 out of the 71 overdoses were fentanyl-related deaths. A year later, there was 72 deaths and about 38 of those were fentanyl. In our schools, we are seeing the toll it takes on families who have lost lives because of the fentanyl crisis. With an increase in awareness, we hope to see a gradual decline in numbers of fentanyl overdose among Sacramento citizens.
Billboard Ad:
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
Title: Homelessness and Job Accessibility
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: In order to reduce the unhoused population in Sacramento, we plan to connect the homeless community to pre-existing workforce development and training programs in order to effectively employ the unhoused and provide a stable income. This includes both training, as well as actual employment, and encompasses all types of workforce development present in the greater Sacramento area. The programs mentioned are SRCEH (Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness), SETA (Sacramento Employment and Training Agency), and the Salvation Army Workforce Development program.
Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
Presenter: Team Dreamers
Ahana Iyer, Inderkum High School, 12
th Grade
Arjan Singh, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School, 11th Grade Chassidy Staples, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School, 10th Grade Deanna Ng, West Campus High School, 12th Grade
Elizabeth Denton, C.K. McClatchy High School, 12th Grade Gregory Walls, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep High School, 10th Grade Jordan Lu, West Campus High School, 11th Grade
Kareema Collins, Westlake High School, 10th Grade
Kylie Su, West Campus High School, 10th Grade
Maricella Guerra-Nieto, West Campus High School, 10th Grade Momina Wasim, Natomas High School, 12th Grade
Valentino Gomez, Natomas High School, 12th Grade
Xavier Wilson, Sheldon High School, 12th Grade
Kayleen Nguyen, Link Crew Leader, University of California Berkeley Nicole Quinn, S@CH Teacher (1st year)
Attachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Statistical Data
3- Proposed Citywide Billboard
Description Analysis
Issue Detail:
Currently, homelessness is one of California’s most prevailing issues, and permeates throughout the city of Sacramento. Between 2019 and 2022, Sacramento’s unhoused population soared over 67% percent to 9,300. Now, Sacramento contains around 10,000 unhoused people, and the issue has become increasingly prevalent as housing prices rise and jobs become more difficult to access. The crisis also worsened significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic due to the significant drops in earning, as well as exponentially increasing housing costs.
Research shows that only 40% of the unhoused are employed full or part-time, and that those experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted by unemployment.
Unemployment is already a prevalent issue, and when combined with other external factors, such as increased rent and housing costs, can be cited as the primary cause of homelessness. This strongly correlates to the necessity of a steady income, or lack thereof, when considering why the unhoused are unable to find a place to live.
The average cost of a single person living in Sacramento is around $2,839 per month excluding food, clothes, transport, and other amenities. A person working a minimum wage job would need to work 9 hours a day excluding weekends to afford rent. The cost of amenities and food is rising due to inflation, which raises the cost of living. In order to get a job that allows them to live comfortably unhoused people need to have job training.
The average age of the unhoused population in Sacramento County is 41, and figures show that the vast majority of the unhoused population in 2022 (85%) were adults aged 25 and over. This suggests, more generally, that the Sacramento unhoused population would benefit from workforce development programs, since they are well into the age of employment, and are mentally mature enough to handle a job.
Previous programs implemented in Los Angeles County, another Californian city with a prolific unhoused population, shows that workforce development programs are effective in dealing with the issue since they attempt to solve the problem at the source, and focus on long-term stability rather than short-term housing.
One of these programs is LA:RISE, which unites the City and County of Los Angeles in order to promote employment among the unhoused. The program resulted in 5,550 participants securing permanent housing and 7,760 participants securing subsidized employment. This program has effectively provided a stable income to participants and encouraged those previously unhoused to seek work.
Sacramento is home to a plethora of similar programs, as outlined in the recommendation (SRCEH, SETA, Salvation Army). Our plan revolves around connecting the unhoused to these already existing programs. One of the main reasons LA:RISE was successful was because it was widely promoted by both the city and the county, and the message was effectively communicated.
These workforce development programs develop work-readiness skills, promote leadership within the unhoused community, provide temporary shelter, and help those experiencing homelessness in achieving financial independence.
Our plan is to promote the importance of employment to the unhoused community through our billboard, PSA, and social media in the hopes of reaching directly to the unhoused community and attempting to mitigate the homeless issue at the source.
Our long-term goals are to provide all of Sacramento’s unhoused population with the opportunity for workforce development, and our short-term goal is to bring more awareness to these programs on a city-wide scale, with the goal of having more resources allocated to them eventually.
Statistical Data:
Billboard Ad:
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
Title: Human Trafficking, Safety, Prevention, and Identifiers
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Inform the community about human trafficking by making billboards, road signs, and a PSA. The community must be aware of this issue and take the proper precaution to keep themselves and their family safe.
Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
Presenter: Team Cali Kids
Aleaya Simmons, John F. Kennedy High School, 11th Grade (D7) Ayinde Fletcher, Westlake High School, 10th Grade (D1)
Chidera Aniche, Inderkum High School, 12th Grade (D1)
Farrah Avender, West Campus High School, 12th Grade (D6) Hadia Ahmad, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 12th Grade (D1) Lilianna De La Rosa, West Campus High School, 11th Grade (D6) Mosshal Mojaddedi, Westlake High School, 10th Grade (D1) Rebecca McPhee, John F. Kennedy High School, 12th Grade (D8) Sophia Ortega, West Campus High School, 11th Grade (D4) Wayland Zhu, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 11th Grade (D3) Wishmah Faisal, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, 11th Grade (D1) Jayla Brown, Link Crew Leader, John F. Kennedy, 12th Grade (D7) Malaika Mehmood, Link Crew Leader, Class of 2023 Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (D3)
Nicole Quinn, S@CH Teacher, (1
st Year)
Attachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Statistical Data
3- Billboard Ad & Social Media Post
Description Analysis:
Issue Detail: The topic of human trafficking is one that sparked our group’s interest because of how little we know about it. It is an extremely complicated- yet inadequately discussed topic. Human trafficking is a large problem in Sacramento but there is minimal awareness being spread about the issue. Sacramento is a hotspot for our topic, sex trafficking. Minorities including individuals of color, women, underage children, and individuals experiencing trauma and little to no self-worth are more susceptible to be targeted and manipulated into sex trafficking. Trafficking victims have been found from ages as young as 9 and as old as 70. Often preyed upon in vulnerable situations, victims are taken advantage of and forced into the twisted sexual desires of attackers.
In recent years, the number of individuals sex trafficked in Sacramento County exceeds 13,000 with 81.5% of reported sex crimes involving physical and sexual violence. We will offer awareness in order for people to identify the signs of trafficking and resources to the victims that have been affected.
“As long as there are people, men out there that want to buy children and women, children and women will always be for sale,” said trafficking survivor Sawan Vaden. This quote shows that this issue will be present for a long time so we should start spreading awareness now. There is no time to waste, as these victims are in our communities. It may be our sisters, mothers, friends, cousins, teachers, or anyone in dangerous areas.
Even heavily populated areas have been known to be hotspots for human trafficking.
As young people in the commonly targeted category for human trafficking, it is alarming to hear about an increase in human trafficking cornering our communities just now.
Having to be informed of the severity through our own research reflects the lack of awareness and information being presented to the public. Our research has enlightened us to how much our own communities are affected by human trafficking, yet citizens continue to be unaware of the ongoing issue. The facts are publicly published for anyone to read; however it is the lack of presentation by individuals with the facts that fails to label the issue as concerning. If there was more discussion displayed to the public by the local media, schools, and city officials about the concerns and danger of human trafficking, then there would be a decrease in cases. The individuals who participate in exploiting innocent victims would be singled out in crowds if citizens could recognize that someone is being preyed upon. When attention is brought to a need for safety awareness, communities develop perspectives to combat dangers together. By informing and advertising resources we can combat human trafficking by targeting vulnerable communities and educating others about safety precautions.
Statistical Data:
Billboard Ad:
Social Media Post:
City of Sacramento
Summer @ City Hall Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
Title: Homelessness Prevention in Sacramento
File ID: 2023-00871
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Spread awareness of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency to low-income individuals or families that are on the verge of becoming unhoused.
Contact: Sarah Musser, Recreation General Supervisor, (916) 808-8830, [email protected], Rhonda Patterson, Program Supervisor, (916) 808- 6189, [email protected], Maria Vides-Medal, Program Coordinator, (916) 808-6162, [email protected], Department of Youth, Parks, and Community Enrichment.
Presenter: Team Purple Panthers
Alexander Gallardo, Sacramento Charter HS, 12th Grade (D5) Bani Singh, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep HS, 12th Grade (D1) Ben Lopez, Inderkum HS, 10th Grade (D1)
Colsen Nguyen, Christian Brothers HS, 10th Grade (D7)
Eafa Malik, Westlake Charter HS, 10th Grade (D1)
Esley Colson III, Rosemont HS, 11th Grade (D3)
Hunter Nousane, Sacramento New Technology HS, 11th Grade (D7) Kadence Cacal, Inderkum HS, 10th Grade (D1)
Lily Randolph, Inderkum HS, 12th Grade (D3)
Luke Basco, Inderkum HS, 12th Grade (D1)
Nadilynn Carthen, Natomas HS, 11th Grade (D3)
Mason Takamoto, Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep HS, 10th Grade (D3) Yathin Mrudul, Link Crew Leader, Inderkum HS, 12th Grade (D1) Yasmine Aguilar, S@CH Teacher, (1
st Year)
Attachments:
1- Description Analysis
2- Statistical Data
3- Proposed Citywide Billboard
Description Analysis:
Issue Detail: Homelessness has been a prevalent issue in Sacramento, especially in the downtown area. As stated by Council Representative to Councilmember Valenzuela Mr. Skyler Henry, “People are becoming homeless 3x faster than we can currently get them into housing or shelter…We have just over 2,000 shelter beds to serve nearly 10,000 people who need them” (Henry). This elevation has been brought about by a rising cost of living to a great extent. Our solution is focusing on expanding the awareness of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency to individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless, in hopes of keeping them housed and more financially stable in an era of increasingly expensive living. As an outcome, homelessness will be slowed by stopping the sharp increase. Awareness of the program is key through the use of social media, billboards, and a PSA.
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, or SHRA, is a program that provides up to eighteen months of assistance for overdue rent and utility bills. The SHRA also, “[ensures] the ongoing development of affordable housing,” according to their website. However, our group is more focused on homeless prevention by spreading awareness of programs that aid with housing than entirely resolving the crisis. This is because it would take more resources than the city has at the moment.
The rental assistance program provides help to prevent homelessness by assisting the lower-income individuals’ ability to pay for their housing and bills, which will keep them housed.
The PSA is about a man who is about to be evicted due to not being able to pay his rent. A businessman appears in his house and explains the availability of resources such as the SHRA in Sacramento to help him pay his rent. The social media call to action is a Q&A that brings awareness to the public on the issue.
Our statistical data comes from a survey we sent out to people in Sacramento. The first chart shows that people in our community are concerned about the issue of homelessness. The second chart shows that people are unaware of the rapid increase of homelessness. The third chart shows that people do know about the leading cause of homelessness in Sacramento. The fourth chart shows that people do not know of resources that can prevent homelessness. The charts as a whole show that the community is concerned about the homeless crisis, but there is still a lack of awareness of the programs that can help with the issue. The billboard was made to match the design of our slide presentation. It displays our slogan: “Unlocking hope, one home at a time.” It also shows the SHRA’s website for anybody who wants more details.
Statistical Data:
Billboard Ad: