Newtown Youth Services OffersMany Fall Programs
Newtown Youth Services Offers
Many Fall Programs
Now that summer is over, Newtown Youth Services has organized many cool programs to go along with the cooler temperatures sure to be felt by the community. Families and youths looking for something to do should check out the NYS programs.
âI think we have something for everyone. We try to offer programs that expose young people to things they may never had realized they were interested in,â said Jane Todorski, assistant director. âWe have programs that provide support for youth and families. We have programs that help young people make a difference in the world. They can realize early that they can make a contribution to the community.â
Programs are offered at the NYS office, 41-A Main Street, unless otherwise stated.
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Youth Programs
NYS offers a variety of programs for the youth in the community.
*Newtown Youth Creating AIDS Awareness for Peers (NYCAAP) is a high school group that meets every Tuesday evening at 5:30. The group educates youth and the community about HIV and AIDS.
*Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is offered at both the middle school and high school. Students act as a link between the agency and the youth community. HS YAB meets the last Monday of each month at 5:30 pm; MS YAB meets twice a month alternating between Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
*Super Sitters is a popular baby-sitting course available to students to learn about child development, safety, emergency procedures and how to be a great babysitter. Classes are open to youth ages 11 to 14 and cost $35. Call NYS for available course dates.
*The Job Bank offers those ages 13 to 17 the opportunity to earn some spending money by completing odd jobs for people throughout the community. Students can be asked to baby-sit, do yard work, pet care, and other temporary jobs. Call Job Bank Coordinator Laura Amodeo for more information.
*4-H offers elementary and middle school students the opportunity to learn and experience agriculture and the environment. Participants work at the Youth Garden at Fairfield Hills as well as learn about chickens, butterflies, worms, and other animals.
Students are involved with every aspect of a project, from planning to implementation. Groups also participate in county-wide 4-H activities. 4-H elementary (grades 4 and 5) meets Monday from 3:15 to 4:30 pm; 4-H middle school meet Wednesday from 4 to 5:15 pm.
*Creative Play classes bring adventure through books and art-related projects using imagination, props, puppets, and dress-up as part of the fun. The six-week session started September 18. It is held from 3 to 4 pm in the Congregational Church House. Call Debbie Poe for more information.
*Mind Body Spirit is a program for youths to learn more about themselves and their capabilities. Master C.H. Châen facilitates the course helping students develop flexibility, balance, concentration and awareness, emphasizing kindness to self and others. The class is open to middle school students on Mondays from 4 to 5 pm.
*SibShops is a monthly meeting for children ages 6 to 12 who have siblings with special needs. Each meeting is filled with games, fun, and discussions. Meetings run from 5:30 to 7:30 pm with pizza.
*Children of Divorce groups will be offered for middle and elementary school students. The middle school group will meet on Monday from 6 to 7 pm and elementary-age students will meet Wednesday from 5 to 6 pm.
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Parent Support
*Positive Parenting consists of five 90-minute sessions: âIntroduction,â âDeveloping Emotional Security,â âSetting Loving Limits,â âKeeping Safe,â and âSo Far So Good.â The aims of positive parenting are to help parents communicate positively with their children and work out ways that are helpful in dealing with children in positive ways. The cost is $25 per person and $35 per couple.
*The Teen Zone is a program for parents with teens. This program offers discussion about issues teenagers face today and how to deal with them positively. Cost is $24 per person, $35 per couple.
*Support for Parents of Children with Learning Differences is a group that offers support and skill building that is not usually found in traditional parenting programs.
*New Moms Support groups are for mothers with newborns and toddlers. The support group for mothers with newborns meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11, am and moms of children ages 1 to 2 meet on Thursdays from 10 to 11 am.
*Fathersâ Night is a group to help fathers and their children have a special relationship. The group meets once a month on Monday. Jeff Steinberg hosts the fathers-only parenting night.
*Caving In is a program for parents to find out how not âcaving inâ can actually be easier in the long run, and healthier and more enjoyable for both parents and children.
Counseling
Newtown Youth Services offers clinical services for youth and family counseling. The clinical services are offered to help children, teenagers and families cope with the events and times that cause distress. Individual counseling is offered to youth free of charge and family counseling is offered on a sliding scale.
Call 270-4335 for more information about the fall programs.