Boca Raton’s Promise- The Alliance For Youth installed four new members on its Board of Directors and recognized achievements of local citizens during its annual meeting held recently at the Country Club at Boca Raton.

President, Merrilee Middleton welcomed newly- elected members to the Board of Directors: Gloria Richardson- Barnes, Nicole Biscuiti, Nicholas Koutrokos, and Linda Diamond.

New partners in delivering Five Promises to Youth were recognized by Executive Director, Rita Thrasher. She announced the creation of the Boca Raton Mental Health Alliance, and thanked the Schmidt Family Foundation, the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County, and the Boca Raton Community Hospital for their support. Thrasher introduced two consultants hired to coordinate the work of the Alliance: Andrea Schuver and Larry Siegel.

Denise Felice, was introduced as the director of the elementary version of Friday Friends, an after-school program started several years ago at Loggers Run Middle School. Now located at Coral Sunset Elementary School in West Boca Raton Friday Friends has been funded with $10,000 from the Sun-Sentinel Children’s Fund, McCormick-Tribune Fund, to develop character and self-understanding through photography.

A third initiative, the Spring Break Theatrics Workshop, will be repeated this year, March 20 through March 25, with staff of the Lovewell Institute of Creative Arts.

Workshop sessions will be held in classrooms donated by the Academic High School and financed with a $5000 award from the Palm Beach County Commission, Recreation Assistance Program, Mary McCarty, sponsoring Commissioner, District 4.

Molly Sharp, student at North Broward Preparatory School and newly-elected leader of the 2006 Community Service Council introduced the goals of the Council. And Louis Medina, a student at St. Andrews High Schoo who will serve as secretary. New Council members pledged to service include Dr. Cynthia Silverman, Linda Diamond, and Brian Kirsch.

Special recognition certificates were presented to nine team members of the successful first annual “Pull Your Weight” Golf Tournament, headed by Honorary Chairman, Patricia Thomas, and Co-Chairmen, Morgan Zook and Nicole Biscuiti. Also members of the team: Susan Walker, Nick Koutrokis, Dale Masker, Kathy Biscuiti, Jacie Keeley, Jeanne Mier.

The West Boca Coalition recognized the contributions of W.E.C.A.R.E., an active citizen group in Watergate Estates, WOW Wingery, Communilty Policing Unit, Coral Sunset Elementary School, the Youth Activity Center and Burt Richards, activists.

Founder, Merrilee Middleton, presented an award to Scott Biscuiti, Board Member now serving overseas with the US Marine Corps.

Joe Green, Principal of Delray, Boynton Academy. Received the Executive Director’s award for advocating for system change in providing appropriate contemporary education for youth in public schools.

The organization will be relocating to larger offices donated by the Prime Management Group, at 6300 Park of Commerce Blvd.