Agenda

Return

C. 71

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Melinda Cervantes, County Librarian
Date:	September 12, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Apply for and Accept a Grant from Poets & Writers

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/12/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Gail McPartland, 925-608-7704

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 12, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Librarian, or designee, to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $375 from Poets & Writers, Inc., to provide services at the Juvenile Hall Library, for the period September 28 through December 31, 2017.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Library Fund Match of $405.

BACKGROUND:

Poets & Writers, Inc., is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers. Founded in 1970, it is the nation's largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. If funded, this grant will allow the Juvenile Hall Library to bring, poet, hip-hop lyricist, and literary arts educator Maddy Clifford to the Juvenile Hall. Maddy Clifford will visit with residents for a workshop series that uses poetry and performance to strengthen young people’s literacy and public speaking skills. The workshops utilize engaging examples, from hip hop lyrics to haiku, to unlock the power of three important techniques in figurative language: metaphor/simile, hyperbole and personification. Workshops demystify these poetic devices, so that their meanings resonate with young people. Students free-write, share poems in community and receive useful feedback. The overall goal of the workshop series is for students to feel capable and empowered to create their best work.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the grant is not funded then the workshops with Maddy Clifford will not occur.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The workshop series will allow youth incarcerated at Juvenile Hall to engage in creative, educational activities that many of the youth have never experienced before, exposing them to new ideas and allowing them to discover previously unknown interests and hidden talents. This meets the Children’s Report Card outcome of Children Ready for and Succeeding in School.