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Press Contact:
Cisco DeVries
(510) 981-7103

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2003

MAYOR BATES INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE CITY PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE CITY EMPLOYEES TO WORK WITH AT-RISK KIDS

 City Council to consider policy that would provide release time to city employees to volunteer with Berkeley’s at risk youth; thought to be the first city policy of its kind.

Click Here to Read the Berkeley Champions for Kids Proposal.

 Berkeley, CA – As part of his on-going effort to improve the lives of Berkeley’s young people, Mayor Tom Bates is proposing “Berkeley Champions For Kids” – a new program that will create an infusion of volunteers to work with “at risk” children and youth.

 The proposal, which is modeled on a successful State of California volunteer employee release program, would provide up to 40 hours a year of paid leave to city employees for the purpose of mentoring, tutoring, and/or providing support and guidance to Berkeley’s youth.  Employee volunteers would be required to receive supervisor approval to participate at a pre-approved school or community-based program, and they must match employee release time with an equal amount of their personal time.

 “Berkeley residents are concerned about the health, safety and education of our children and youth,” said Mayor Tom Bates.  “This new program is an opportunity to create a new wave of volunteers and make a real difference in the lives of Berkeley’s kids.”

 This City Council will review the proposal at it’s meeting on Tuesday, November 4^th.  The idea for the Berkeley Champions for Kids Volunteer Employee Release Policy was developed as an outgrowth of the Mayor’s Youth and Education Summit in March.  Prior to being submitted to the City Council, the program was approved unanimously by the City of Berkeley Personnel Board.   It is the Mayor’s intention to promote this policy with other public and private employers in the City of Berkeley.

The Council Item and the full text of the proposal are available through the City Council website at: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil.

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