MYTD/ECWS Partnership Announcement

 Press Release 

ECWS Announces Partnership with MYTD and New Youth Director 

Chattanooga, TN, May 6, 2010: East Chattanooga Weed and Seed is excited to announce a new partnership with Multi-Cultural Youth Training and Development (MYTD) and the addition of Dana Kinamore to our staff as Youth Director. Dana will oversee youth programming for ECWS and will utilize MYTD’s activities along with those from Stop the Madness, Inc., and other agencies in planning for youth activities. 

Two MYTD events are already in the works for ECWS-area youth: 

"Summer Luau" Orientation 

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 10:45 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Glenwood Recreation Center, 2610 Glenwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37404 

The Summer Luau will kick-off MYTD’s summer program and introduce the ECWS/MYTD partnership to the ECWS community. Activities include an orientation session, fun life lesson skills and three luaus (traditional, contemporary and hip-hop) presented by MYTD youth. Lunch will be served at 12 p.m.

Following the luau and orientation, MYTD will meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays throughout the summer at Glenwood Recreation Center. The sessions will be from 10:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Activities will include self-esteem and self-awareness programs, study skills, college and job preparation, etiquette and many other life skills. Lunch is included and participation in the program is free.

Family Fun Day 

Saturday, May 29, 2010, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Booker T. Washington State Park, Pavilion 1A 

The day of fun activities will include family games, board games, fishing. The focus is to encourage family time, fun and to announce the upcoming summer events. There is no cost to program participants and their families. Lunch will be provided. 

Registration is required for both events. You may register by calling Dana Kinamore at 423-752-4449 or via e-mail at dana@eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org. Information about youth activities can be found on the ECWS website, www.eastchattanoogaweedandseed.org, and the ECWS Facebook page. 

About MYTD: 

The mission of The American Association of Multi-Cultural Youth Training and Development, Inc. (MYTD) is to guide, teach and empower youth to become all that God created them to be through mentoring and networking with adult volunteers and various organizations. Its purpose is to transfer knowledge to youth that will enable them to learn and achieve high standards morally, ethically, and spiritually for their lives and ultimately their sphere of influence. The guidepost for this organization is The Book of Proverbs.

About Dana Kinamore: 

Dana retired from TVA after 23 years of service to fulfill her dream of being a full time wife and mother. Following several years of retirement Dana joined MYTD in August 2005 as Secretary and was appointed Director of Operations in September 2006. Dana, and her husband, Kevelin (her high school sweetheart) recently celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. They have seven children and six grandchildren. Dana is a member of New Covenant Fellowship Church where she works with the youth ministry and on the media team.

About Weed and Seed: 

Weed and Seed is a comprehensive strategy—not simply a program—to assist communities in bringing people and resources together to prevent and control crime and improve the overall quality of life. The Weed and Seed strategy stresses collaboration, coordination, and community participation. Weed and Seed was established by the U.S. Department of Justice in 1991. The Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO), part of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), supports local sites through its four-pronged Weed and Seed strategy of law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention, and treatment for residents; and neighborhood restoration. About 4.5 million persons live in more than 300 active Weed and Seed communities throughout the country. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Nina Ventra, East Chattanooga Weed and Seed, Community Outreach, at 423-752-4449 or nventra@comcast.net.