UCRY presents survey results

After nine months of labor, United Community Resources for Youth (UCRY) has released the primary results of the Sonoma Valley Youth Needs Survey, its first body of work.
Facilitator Anna Pier introduced the survey to a group of members, supporters and guests Tuesday night at Vineyard Workers Service by giving a brief history of UCRY. The group formed, she said, as result of last year’s tragedy, in which a gang attack at Maxwell Park turned fatal. Facilitator Kenneth Ramirez described the challenges they faced at first, working through the whole process of deciding upon a name, a mission and a plan. He thanked the Sonoma Valley Fund for “more than just funds.”
Facilitator Celeste Winders introduced the preliminary results of their first project, a detailed survey of the attitudes, desires, opinions of the community’s youth and adults on topics relating to youth. The results, she said, show “a really positive outcome.” In general, she said, youth have a more positive attitude about themselves than adults think they have. Of the 400 individuals surveyed, for example, 45 percent of youth see themselves in college, whereas only 21 percent of adults surveyed thought that the youth would see themselves that way. Also, said Winders, fewer youth see themselves unemployed than adults think. More youths saw themselves volunteering abroad than adults thought they would. Winders said, “It’s clear there is a need and a desire.” She hoped there would be a way they could work with the school district. Superintendent Pamela Martens and Assistant Superintendent Justin Frese nodded assent.
Desires often mentioned, she said, were “listening to youth,” “need for leadership,” and “lack of funds.” “But,” said Winders, “in a community like Sonoma, we can fix that.” The group is hoping to survey 200 more individuals, and aims to complete the survey by the Day of the Dead, November 1.