Last month, three CITI Youth interns were honored by their community boards. These students, who have worked as map technicians for the past year, are part of the CITI Youth program, a project of the MAS Planning Center. The CITI Youth program helps young people connect with their community through the use of technology. Using the website www.myciti.org, CITI interns create and display maps at community board meetings to help facilitate the community decision-making process. Over 30 CITI interns are currently working as map technicians in community boards throughout the city.

CITI interns Merlin Valdez and Brandon Rutishauser are map technicians at Bronx CB 7 (Fordham). According to Merlin, their maps have earned them a reputation as the “wizards of technology”, with Bronx CB 7 routinely expressing their appreciation of the maps and the student’s service. Brandon and Merlin were both awarded with the 2009 Bronx Community Board 7 Unsung Hero Award at their June board meeting. The students, who are new to the program, have been enthusiastically invited to continue working at the board this coming fall.

CITI intern Richard Vilabrera is a map technician for Brooklyn CB 9 (Crown Heights). The board, which is new to the CITI program, has expressed great pleasure with Richard and the CITI Youth program—recognizing his services with the presentation of a plaque at their June community board meeting. Richard works very independently and has developed a great relationship with the board members. Richard also works closely with MAS volunteer Keith Rand, of Chase Community Development, who has been a coach/mentor to Richard this past year. This relationship has only enhanced Richard’s experience, as he is learning to become more involved in his community, while receiving professional advice and encouragement.

While Merlin, Brandon, and Richard have all proven to be exceptional interns, MAS is fortunate to have an entire group of hardworking and committed CITI interns. On June 30th, MAS celebrated the 2009 class of CITI interns with an awards ceremony at the Urban Center. MAS president, Vin Cipolla, addressed the students telling them, “…you guys are the future. It is your involvement in your community that makes a difference and will set a path for tomorrow and make New York a better place.”

To learn more about the award ceremony, check out the slide show below:

And, for more information more about the CITI Youth program, or to make a map, visit www.myciti.org.