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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 2021)
February 24, 2021 Page 2 Named Youth of the Year TreNisha Shearer honored for giving back TreNisha Shearer, a senior at De LaSalle North Catholic High School and a youth volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club in New Columbia, has been named 2021 Youth of the Year for the organization’s Portland metro area. Shearer has been a member of the Regence Portland Boys & Girls Club in north Portland for 12 years. She shared her motivation to give back to the community upon being presented the award in late January. “I have witnessed the con- nection that can be formed be- tween club members and staff. Seeing these connections and knowing how big of an impact the club has on people such as myself,” Shearer said. Over the course of the teen- ager’s time at the club, she has traveled to Atlanta for a leader- ship program, participated in a club internship in partnership with the Portland Timbers, and created a short film, Black ‘Till It’s Backwards. Along with the title, Shearer received a $1,000 scholarship and will represent the Portland Metro Clubs at the Oregon State Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year competition in April. She has plans to attend Georgia State University and study business TreNisha Shearer, a senior at De LaSalle North Catholic High School, has been named 2021 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro area. management after graduation. were runners-up to the Youth of Six other outstanding club the Year title and each received members in the Portland area $500 scholarships. Rethink Police Panel Forms Group forms to shape oversight The Portland City Council is now accepting applications for Rethink Police Accountability, a volunteer group that will shape the framework and structure of a new police oversight committee approved by 82% of voters last November. The process will be community driven and members of the group will be composed of community justice organizations, small busi- nesses impacted by community safety issues, and people from over-policed communities, such as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, people living with low-income, experiencing house- lessness, and/or mental health or substance use, officials said. Membership on the panel is an opportunity for people who want to have an impact on future poli- cies and practices related to police reform. Potential members who are innovative, collaborative, and equity-focused or who like the idea of building something from scratch are encouraged to apply. Those selected should also plan for a committed minimum of four hours a month and to meet monthly on Zoom for 18 months, officials added. “We have a lot of work and community conversations that Jo Ann Hardesty must happen as we rethink community safety in Portland,” said City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty. “An important piece of building trust in our police bureau will be a system of over- sight and accountability with a structure that centers the com- munity the police are sworn to protect and serve.” Mayor Ted Wheeler said its clear Portland wants a new and improved police oversight sys- tem and that they want regular Portlanders involved in making it happen. “The city is responding to that clear demand,” he said. I encour- age people who are innovative and dedicated to equity to apply to help us construct a new evolu- tion of community safety rooted in improved trust, transparency, and accountability.”