Groups Recognized for Supporting Youth Program

CAMBRIDGE--There was a celebration Tuesday at the Empowerment Center in Cambridge as the Pine Street Committee (PSC) recognized various groups that have supported its 2009 summer youth program. The PSC expressed heartfelt thanks to the Cambridge City Council, the Cambridge City Police, the Dorchester County Council, Dorchester Elks Lodge 223, and Dorchester Progressive Temple 224.

After an opening prayer by the Reverend Baron Young who is the pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. church, representatives from these groups enjoyed light refreshments and were given certificates of recognition.

"I would like to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. You are really nice people," said PSC President Jimmy Cornish.

He noted their dedication and said, "If we had more people like that we would have a much better city. We appreciate all of you."

Octavene Saunders of the PSC also expressed thanks for support the groups had shown, which was especially helpful since funding for the program was low this year.

Regarding other programs sponsored by the PSC, she said, "We will be doing different fund raisers to keep going. These are programs that we don't have the money for, but we are going to do them anyway."

Though members of the Dorchester County Council were not available for the event, Pine Street Committee representatives presented certificates of appreciation to the council that evening during their meeting. Members of the Dorchester County Council are President Jay Newcomb (District 1), William Nichols (District 2), Ricky Travers (District 3), Rick Price (District 4) and Effie Elzey (District 5).

For more information about the programs of the Pine Street Committee, the public may call 410-901-1397, send an email to empowermentcenter@ymail.com.

In the picture supplied with this article, you will see from the left, standing are Derek Wongus (Dorchester Elks Lodge 223), Gloristeen Pinkett (Dorchester Progressive Temple 224), the Reverend Baron Young of Bethel A.M.E., Sgt. Louis Nichols (Cambridge City Police), Cambridge City Commissioner Donald Sydnor (Ward 2), and Cambridge City Police officers Cpl. Antoine Patton, Pfc. Joseph Jones, Lt. Pat Doyle. Seated are Delphine Smith (volunteer), PSC President Jimmy Cornish, and PSC member Portia Johnson-Ennels. Certificates were also issued to Pfcs. Robert Ball and Chantay Nelson, the Cambridge City Police K-9 Kilo, and the Dorchester County Council who were not available for the picture.

Around 50 young people enjoyed the PSC's 2009 summer youth program.