Newtown Youth Services Hosts A Great Party At Its First Open House

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown Youth Services, the town’s premier youth-oriented community service agency, has had quite a year. In January, Anthony Tozzi, a veteran nonprofit and youth organization administrator, took the helm as executive director. Over the summer, the agency moved to its new home at the 200-plus-year-old clapboard colonial at 10 Glen Road in Sandy Hook. Then, on September 19, NYS rolled out the welcome mat at its first-ever open house.

The event captured the breezy informality of a family barbeque, offering visitors an opportunity to munch on a hot dog, listen to live music, or engage in a game of volleyball.

State Representative Julia Wasserman threw out a welcome mat of her own when she surprised Mr Tozzi with an unscheduled visit during the open house.

“Mrs Wasserman presented NYS with an official citation recognizing us,” said Mr Tozzi. “It was a great, wonderful surprise, a good moment.”

Mr Tozzi lauded the picturesque weather as partly responsible for the good turnout.

“It’s a beautiful day,” he said, “and we’ve had a lot of people from the community stop by.”

Visitors, he continued, included both longtime NYS members and first-time arrivals.

Stephanie Bagger, whose son Erik is a senior at Newtown High School and longtime NYS member, visited the agency for the first time at its new location.

“This is a great place!” she enthused as Mr Tozzi led her through the cozy, living room-styled offices and “hang-out” rooms.

“This location also has great parking,” said Ms Bagger. “It’s a bigger [place] than it looks!”

Outside, Katie Aiello and Sammie and Stephanie Villa, members of the community service-oriented Newtown Middle School and Newtown High School youth advisory boards, helped run Bazaar-styled games for the open house’s youngest visitors.

The young women helped 3-year-old McKenna Jordan net a tiny, live goldfish in an inflatable kiddie pool/goldfish “pond.”

“It’s been great being a part of this day, helping out and being with the younger children,” said Katie.

Kathy Jordan, McKenna’s mother, is on the NYS Board of Directors.

“I just think it’s a great organization that really brings the community together,” she said. “It is great to see the turnout!”

Other activities during the afternoon included a beanbag toss, run by student Dan Burns, a cakewalk, and face painting.

“NYS brings kids together,” said Dan. “Especially through programs like the Job Bank.”

The Job Bank helps students as young as middle school-aged preteens find neighborhood jobs baby-sitting, house cleaning, or doing yard work, among a host of other opportunities.

There are a number of other programs and services NYS provides, including the Super Sitters course, particularly helpful for prospective Job Bank inductees, support groups for mothers, children of divorce and siblings, Homework Help Club, substance abuse prevention services through NO SUDS (underage drinking prevention) group, Hope and Support group for families struggling with substance abuse issues, NYCAAP (Newtown Youth Creating AIDS Awareness for Peers), 4-H Nature Club, Cullen’s Nature Camp during the summer, and many more.

There are also opportunities for group, family, and one-on-one counseling.

Annual activities include a talent show, Independent Living Day, in which youth help senior citizens with various household chores, the Gail Smith Awards, Hat City Blues band performance, and annual Dinner Dance and Auction.

Erik Bagger and Cal Bowers, members of the band Bench, performed for a small crowd.

“We’ve been playing together for a while,” said Erik, the group’s lead singer and guitarist.

He and Cal said they were both interested in pursuing music-related careers beyond high school.

“It’s great that we’ve had the opportunity to perform around town,” said Erik, who noted recent performances at the Teen Center, among other local venues.

Mr Tozzi recognized the support NYS has received from local businesses and individuals alike.

“We’ve had a really good day,” he said. “I believe this [event] has been very successful.”

For more information on NYS activities, programs, and services call 270-4335 or email NewtownYS@sbcglobal.net.