­New Group For Men

New Hope Men’s Group is a new offering to help men become the types of husbands, dads, and responsible examples to others that they were created to be.

This group will meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm. Call Jim at 203-770-3745 for additional information.

Road Race Returning

The 5th Annual Newtown Road Race, which is a fundraiser for NYFS, will return on Saturday, September 5, at 9 am rain or shine.

Runners, walkers, and stroller pushers of all ages are welcome to participate in the race, which will follow a fast, flat course officially sanctioned and certified by the United States Track and Field Association (CT06009JHP). The race will be limited to 1,000 runners and it will again start from and return to Dickinson Park.

Kid’s Runs will also be offered, with courses of 75 yards, 150 yards, and a quarter-mile mile, depending on level and age of the child. You can choose the day of the race which course your child should follow. The Kid’s Runs will start at 10:15.

For full details about the race and to register visit NewtownRoadRace.com.

Family Programs & Events

Parent Education Program (PEP): Putting Children First is a State of Connecticut program required as a prerequisite to granting a divorce. Sessions are designed to help families cope with the effects of divorce on children.

Call Sheila at NYFS for more information, including schedule.

Youth Programs & Activities

Job Bank: Job Bank is accepting applications from qualified 13-18-year-olds who want employment babysitting, pet sitting or performing other household chores. Call Monday through Friday between 3 and 5 pm for an application.

Support Groups

*Circle of Parents: This mutual self-help support program for parents is based on a simple and time-tested model: through peer-to-peer leadership and support at weekly meetings, people in a parenting capacity can, over time, gain self-esteem, overcome isolation, and improve their parenting skills by exchanging support and positive parenting suggestions.

The group meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 pm. Call Jessi at NYFS for additional information or to sign up.

*Women Empowering Women: Support group for women to empower and encourage them to reach their fullest potential. Must call Thea to register. Group is held at 121 Mount Pleasant office, and will resume meetings in the fall. Call Thea for more information at 203-426-8103.

*Newtown PAC (Parents Advocating for their Children): This group is for parents of children with learning disabilities. The focus will be on assisting parents in finding the resources that they need to help their children become successful. The group meets the second Thursday of every month throughout school year from 7 to 9 pm. For more information call Suzanne at 203-270-9869.

*SIBSHOP: This program acknowledges that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in-between. The group meets Wednesday from 5 to 6 pm, and will begin meeting again in the fall. Call to register.

*Children of Divorce: This is a group to help your child heal from the pain caused by a separation or divorce. Call Jessi to sign up at 203-270-4335. The group will begin meeting again in the fall on Thursdays for children ages 5 through 9.

*Alateen meetings are Tuesdays from 7 to 8 pm. This program is for youth affected by somebody else’s alcoholism. At meetings members share their personal experiences, and learn to find personal happiness, whether or not the alcoholic in their lives is still drinking.

All programs take place at NYFS, 17 Church Hill Road, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register call 203-270-4335.