The Steering Committee is the body that is helping to guide the creation of the Youth Opportunities Coalition (YOC). It sprung from the Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee’s Youth Opportunities Sub-committee after the City Council approved the creation of the Youth Opportunities Coalition. 

The Steering Committee will eventually dissolve into the YOC after the coalition is well-established. The Steering Committee will then be replaced with an executive committee comprised of members of the YOC.


Who are the members of the Steering Committee?

Sy Knapp, Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee—Steering Committee Chair

Beth Becker, Tree House

Ben Dossman, Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee

Jan Ficken, Recreation & Parks Department

Rich Gates, City Council

Melodie Hanson, Mosaic Youth Center

Hank Hickman, Social Worker

Katie Horner, Youth Planner

Kaydee Kirk, Community Development and Planning Department

Charlie McChesney, Recreation & Parks Department

Matt Norris, Youth Planner

Cookie Onaiwu, Park Haven Apartments

Samelai Quioh, Resident

Steve Steiner, Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee

Veronica Suarez-Martinez, Resident

Wayne Thyren, Tree House

Tonya West-Hafner, Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee

Deb Felin, Resident

Marilyn Childress, Resident

Camille Edusa, Student

Kate Hansen, Youth Planning Intern

Casey Coughlin, Youth Planning Intern

Pat Milton, Youth Planning Coordinator