New Castle Welcomes Coalition For Youth

NEW CASTLE, N.Y. -- Twenty-seven members of the Coalition For Youth (CFY) attended the school year’s first meeting recently, representing the various community, religious, civic, school and health groups across New Castle, according to a brief statement Wednesday from the New Castle Police Department.

Members of the Coalition For Youth plan during the group's first meeting of the 2016-17 school year.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

James O'Rourke

09/26/2016 9:00 a.m.

The meeting, which lasted about two hours, served as a forum for discussion of the recent sexual abuse scandal facing the Chappaqua school district and the district’s response, according to police. The meeting was led by New Castle Town Administrator Jill Shapiro and Police Chief Charles Ferry.

While noting that the incident has “traumatized” a good number of people in the community, the CFY members said they should “identify tangible ways for the community to move forward,” while providing a space for affected students, families, and teachers to work through their emotions and voice their concerns, according to police.

A sub-committee then formed to discuss the issues further and develop “concrete action items” to move forward, according to police, who reported that the sub-group pushed for several changes, including the creation of a greater “reporting mechanism” like an anonymous hotline.

Anyone interested in learning more about the CFY sub-group focused on moving forward after the abuse in the Chappaqua school district should contact the Rev. Martha Jacobs at First Congregational Church of Chappaqua via email.

Find the New Castle Police Department on Facebook to learn more about the town's events.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.