Mary Schissel, Youth Task Force Director, is turning over leadership of the successful community coalition after 22 years. Schissel was originally hired in 1994 and will be retiring at the end of April. She will be honored on April 5th at a luncheon where the Task Force will also recognize their graduating high school senior volunteers and Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Health, their Community Partner of the Year. The new Director, Alice Civarelli, will be introduced to Task Force volunteers at the luncheon. She will stepping in to guide the Task Force on May 1st. A public retirement reception will be held for Schissel at Music Man Square on April 5th from 1:00-2:00.
“The Youth Task Force is recognized as a leader across Iowa thanks to Mary.” said Kevin Pals, Youth Task Force Chair. “Most Youth Task Force work is done behind the scenes, but the projects she developed and linkages she made have helped the coalition locally, regionally, and at the state and federal level.”
The coalition has been selected for various pilot and demonstration projects by state and federal funders.
Several of their projects have included a multi-county area across North Iowa. Projects have ranged from substance abuse prevention to positive youth development, from mental health to mentoring, and from bullying to career preparedness.
“It has been a learning experience every step of the way and I am grateful for that.” said Schissel. “This is definitely not a job you get bored with,” she said.
The Mason City Youth Task Force (YTF) is a community coali on working to reduce Risk Factors and build Developmental Assets for youth using research-based models and science-based strategies. Young people work side by side with adults on YTF projects as well as with their peers on Youth Ac on Teams.
The Mason City Youth Task Force is a community coali on opera ng under the City of Mason City since 1994. 25 youth and adults, represen ng a diverse cross-sec on of the community, have been appointed by the Mayor and City Council to guide coali on e orts. Addi onal youth and adults volunteer on commi ees, Youth Ac on Teams, and projects focusing on speci c areas of the Preven on Plan.
The City of Mason City, Mason City Community Schools, Newman Catholic Schools, and Cerro Gordo County provide local nancial support which is supplemented by grants and other funding. Numerous community organiza ons contribute in-kind support to coali on e orts.
Is this the Force behind the Banks fellow ???