Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) has openings for Safety Town, its one-week interactive safety education program developed to teach children ages 4-7 important, life-saving lessons.

The agency is also seeking volunteers for Independent Living Day, an annual community-wide effort to assist seniors, veterans, and disabled residents to continue to live safely and independently in their homes.

Safety Town

Safety Town teaches children about staying safe around strangers and traffic. It also offers basic fire safety, pedestrian, poison, drug, playground, bus and water safety lessons.

All topics are taught in collaboration with local community and health agencies including Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and the Town of Newtown Office of the Fire Marshal, Newtown Police Department, Porco’s Karate Academy, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and All-Star Transportation Bus Company.

Safety Town teaches children through the combined use of classroom instruction and hands-on activities.

Kara Tanner, mother of 2022 Safety Town graduate Millie Tanner, said “the positive impact of Safety Town was seen immediately. Our daughter never goes near water without an adult or life vest. She often mentions safety tips learned during Safety Town, like, ‘if you see a gun, don’t pick it up and go tell an adult immediately.’

“Many of these safety tips are ones I would have never thought to teach my child, and I am thrilled that Safety Town covered these skills to help teach my child how to react and continue to stay safe,” Kara added.

Kara also remarked that Millie is more at ease should an emergency arise thanks to the presence of first responders throughout camp. Before completing Safety Town, Millie was unaware that police officers, firefighters and EMTs are helpers in those situations. Additionally, Millie’s experience on the school bus and lessons on bus safety made her more comfortable riding the bus on her first day of kindergarten, according to her mother.

Last year this program served over 80 kids from the greater Newtown area.

Three sessions of Safety Camp are scheduled for summer 2023: July 10-14, July 17-21 and July 24-28. Camp hours are 9 am to 1:15 pm each week.

Safety Town is presented outside at NYFS, 15 Berkshire Road in Sandy Hook, except on Thursdays when campers will spend the day at Newtown Community Center.

Cost is $150 per child, and campers will need to provide their own lunch.

Registration information can be found at NewtownYouthAndFamilyServices.org. Questions can be directed to NYFS Youth Coordinator Madison McColl, at MMcColl@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org or 203-270-4335.

Independent Living Day

The 23rd Independent Living Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 22.

The event has become a much anticipated activity in Newtown and a proud tradition for NYFS. Not only does it help the senior community, it also promotes team building, family bonding, and community outreach.

Many senior citizens in Newtown face increased costs of living without the ability to make additional money. In order to live independently, they need assistance from fellow residents.

Last year, NYFS Independent Living Day served over 20 individuals from Nunnawauk Meadows. NYFS anticipates serving more individuals this year with the help of local volunteers.

The day gives seniors an increased chance of living longer, healthier, and more productive lives by receiving assistance with basic home upkeep, free of charge. Volunteers provide mulch spreading, planting, raking, organizing closets and cabinets, clearing debris from walkways and patios, washing windows, cleaning refrigerators, discarding expired food and newspapers and other household chores.

Independent Living Day opportunities will run from 9 to 11:30 am.

To learn more or volunteer, contact Madison McColl at MMcColl@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org or 203-270-4335.