Oak Park Youth Assistance outlines services, requests community involvement; district provides office space but no direct funding

Oak Park Youth Assistance told the Oak Park Board of Education on May 12 that the program provides short-term, family-focused casework, limited emergency funds, skill-building activities and referrals to longer-term treatment, and asked the community to help expand volunteer roles and fundraising.

The agency’s case worker, Karen Beeler, told the board, “I am the case worker with Oak Park Youth Assistance,” and described services that include short-term counseling, help getting students into extracurricular and skills programs, limited emergency assistance and referrals for more intensive therapy. Beeler said the office helps families address underlying needs that cause school problems, citing examples such as getting utility service restored and repairing cars to restore family transportation.

Oakland County Youth Assistance supervisor Pam Strykowski said the county office is sponsored by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Family Division and described the three-way “tri‑sponsorship” model: the court provides a case worker, the school district provides office space and the city contributes funds or other support. “Last year there were 38 families that received direct casework services,” Strykowski said. She added, “Altogether, . . . 57 families have been impacted,” noting some families receive informal help without opening a formal case.

Why it matters: presenters said the program’s mix of county, city, school-provided office space and a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) board keeps overhead low and directs donations to services for children and families. Beeler and Strykowski said the volunteer board raises funds for programs such as “Making It Look Good” (homecoming grooming) and “Making It Sound Good” (studio and sound-engineering training), and that recent funding included about $5,500 in grants and $7,600 in donations; the presenters also said the partnership contributes the equivalent of roughly $133,000 in in-kind services from the court.

Board members asked for performance data and for clarity on sponsorship. Beeler said she will supply outcome data to the board; Strykowski explained that 38 families had open case files last year while the broader set of affected families (57) includes people who received help without formal case openings. When asked whether the school district contributes money, Strykowski replied, “None at all. 0. Okay,” and noted the district’s office space contribution reduces the program’s operating costs.

Public comment followed the presentation. Community member Crystal Bailey thanked the board for inviting Youth Assistance and asked how residents could take part. Alumni and community organizers who spoke later in public comment also raised concerns about communication and volunteer procedures after describing recent alumni-run events.

Presenters asked board members and community members interested in volunteering or fundraising to contact Oak Park Youth Assistance. Strykowski and Beeler said they would provide meeting schedules, program flyers and the data on families served that several trustees requested.

Board follow-up: presenters and trustees agreed the board should receive the casework data and documentation the presenters referenced. Beeler said she would provide the data to board staff after the meeting.