Our 24-member Board heard from Adolescent Family Life Program participant Yesenia Betancourt during June’s Board of Commissioners Meeting – the last meeting before the Board’s two-month recess. Betancourt became a mom at the tender age of 14. She shared with the Board the hardships she has faced as a young, single parent and how participating in AFLP has helped her remain focused on accomplishing her educational, personal and parenting goals. The now 16-year-old McLane High School senior says it isn’t easy, but she has learned to balance motherhood, school, and extracurricular activities – such as being part of McLane’s cross country and wrestling teams. This ambitious young lady will graduate from high school next year. She plans on attending college and majoring in criminology.

The Board got straight to business after Betancourt’s presentation. In addition to regular business items, they spent time discussing revisions to the current by-laws, including the addition of term limits. Not only did they approve the concept of including term limits into the Bylaws, they also approved the length. Once the Bylaws have been adopted, each Commissioner will only be allowed to serve five (5) consecutive two-year terms; they must be off the board for one (1) year before being allowed to resume a role as Commissioner.

Commissioners also spent a portion of the meeting reviewing, revising and providing valuable feedback on the Agency’s new vision, individual and family, and community statements.

This was the last meeting for two Commissioners who have dedicated their heart, soul, and endless hours to our Agency. Attorney Lori Mayfield and Firebaugh City Manager Jose Ramirez both announced their resignation from the Board. Commissioner Ramirez is relocating to Livingston; he has accepted a position with the city as its city manager. The remaining Commissioners expressed their gratitude to both Mayfield and Ramirez and wished them well in their endeavors.