Ron Weaver

I am a Multicultural Services Coordinator for the Oregon Youth Authority where I’ve worked for 21 years. I am also a member of SEIU Local 503 and today I am speaking about our commitment to providing quality services. My comments today represent my personal opinion and experiences.

As a Multicultural Services Coordinator for OYA I do a number of things. I provide training for other OYA staff and community partners on how to work with youth who have been involved in gangs. I also provide consultation on gangs, training on cultural competency and intervention services. This work provides community partners and Youth Authority staff with the skills needed to assist youth who have been involved in gang activity make a healthy transition back into their communities and reducing gang violence.

How many of you are familiar with the recent tragedy for this community that took place on December 31st of 2008? Two of our own community members recently released from OYA were killed in Gang Violence. Our community isn’t the only one struggling with gang violence. From Pendleton to Hillsboro to Medford, communities around Oregon struggle with gang activity and youth violence.

Our programs are affected doubly by the economic crisis. The downturn creates an environment where more youth are at-risk for becoming involved with gangs and violent behaviors. At the same time the same economic crisis means that under our current funding system we have fewer resources to provide service.

The cuts that we are facing in OYA are massive. We are facing the elimination of more than 300 beds for youth offenders and the closures of facilities around the state. At these facilities my colleagues and I work to ensure public safety and provide accountability and reformation opportunities to youth who represent an unacceptable risk in the community.

Our communities can’t afford to lose the vital services that OYA provides. Cutting funding for these services will end up costing the state far more in the years to come, as more and more youth turn to the streets and crime. I believe that preparing ourselves for the future will require investments now to protect vital services, and it will require that we all pitch in to find a solution.

Our communities can’t afford to lose the vital services that Oregon Youth Authority provides. Cutting funding for these services will end up costing the state far more in the years to come, as more and more youth turn to the streets and crime. I believe that preparing ourselves for the future will require investments now to protect vital services, and it will require that we all pitch in to find a solution.