We cannot believe we are already in our third month of the After School Program, with over 300 registered members! For November calendar, click here . This month we are excited to offer:
Open Gym – Open gym is a non-structured program where youth are allowed free play and choice of activities in the gym as well as the rest of the youth center (lounge and game room).
Life Skills- Ever feel like you are not being taught some very valuable life skills? We are looking to help by providing monthly life skills programs. Last month we offered crocheting, which was volunteer run and will continue as its own program this month. This month our life skills program will be run by Joanna Abrantes who will be teaching the kids to write in cursive! Many kids these days do not know how to sign their own name, so this program will be very helpful.
Crocheting- This is program started out as a life skills program and will continue as its own program this month. This is led by our volunteers Joann Smith-Barnes and Beverly Prescott. Kids will learn the very basics of crocheting so they can continue to build off of those skills for future projects.
Airplane Flying – On Friday, November 8th Indoor Plane Flying will return from 5:00-6:00, this is a great opportunity to learn how to fly model airplanes, it is brought to us by volunteers from Millis Model Aircrafts!
Milford TV- We are very excited to announce a collaboration with Milford TV! MTV has been a continuous community support for us and we can’t wait to incorporate them into our programing! This program is run by the director of MTV, Liz Harkins who will be explaining the camera/filming process used to film community events! The kids may even have the opportunity to film our Thanksgiving event this year!
Homework Help- This is a volunteer led program. Currently we have several volunteers (Niya Karamanov, a NHS member, Lily Robinson a student volunteer, and Pamela Wilkinson). Youth can, upon request receive help from staff in the game room area for homework they are having 
trouble with. All game systems will be turned off for the first hour of the after-school program in order to provide a more focused environment for getting work done. If youth would prefer not to have help with their homework, they are provided space to do it on their own.
trouble with. All game systems will be turned off for the first hour of the after-school program in order to provide a more focused environment for getting work done. If youth would prefer not to have help with their homework, they are provided space to do it on their own.Tutoring- Do you need extra one on one help with a difficult subject? Parents are encouraged to contact the Milford Youth Center’s Program Coordinator Kathleen Irwin ( kirwin@townofmilford.com ) to set up specific tutoring times during our after school program. She will set each child up with a volunteer tailored towards their difficulty.
Weight Lifting (ages 15-18) – Weight Lifting will be run by our staff member, Shapel Feaster. This program is run in our very own gym. Kids will learn the proper way to lift weights, use gym equipment and build healthy muscle.
Quiet Zone- Quiet zone is run by two volunteers Sarah Watson Schneider and Maddy Poitras. This program allows the student access to our computer lab along with a quiet space to study, do homework or read silently.
Pound- Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and pilates-inspired movements. Using Ripstix®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out. This program is sponsored by Milford Regional Hospital and run by Cara from FerroneFit/Project Fit.
STEAM- STEAM will be run by Kim Wach, one of returning volunteers. Understanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEAM) Skills. Think about key skills needed in today’s workplace: problem solving, analytical thinking, and the ability to work independently. What do they all have in common? They’re all related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Kids will learn how these skills can be used in everyday life while having fun creating their own projects at MYC.
Youth Council- Youth Council will be run by Chrissy Ferrucci. In Youth Council, kids will learn to be youth leaders in their own community. Our youth council members strive to make a difference in the community by facilitating different youth community events and taking part in volunteer opportunities.
Boxing – Boxing is run by Brian Bell. Brian has assisted in running this group in the past and has brings a lot of experience to this program. This is a group class that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Improv – Improv will be run by our volunteer Barbara Brashier and our program coordinator Kathleen Irwin. This program will allow kids to learn to be comfortable in their own skin while learning some basic acting skills. We hope to have as much fun as we did during our summer camp improv and help build some new talent.
Gardening- Gardening will be run by one of our After-School staff members, Chrissy Ferrucci. Chrissy grew up at a nearby farm near Milford and has a plethora of knowledge in regards to growing and maintaining a garden. We have already used several of our garden items in our nutrition program, which is a huge hit! The kids have closed the outside garden for the year, but will continue to grow and maintain our indoor garden during the colder months.
Crafts – Crafts is led by Joanna Abrantes and Volunteer Darlene Dulude! Joanna and Darlene have a great eye for fun crafts for all ages. This program is all about fun and creativity, and a lot of experimenting from Pinterest. We use a lot of up-cycled materials so youth can learn about recycling and the benefits it has to the environment.
Nutrition – Led by our Assistant Director Katie Covell and volunteer Darlene Dulude, this program will focus on all of the students making easy and fun recipes as well as tasting new foods. Youth will also be shown the importance of healthy eating through modeling and will be encouraged to make healthy changes through discussion and staff guidance.
Nail Salon – Nail Salon will be run by our Assistant Director, Katie Covell. This month the nail salon will be open to all after school members on November 25th, right in time for Thanksgiving! So come in, relax and have your nails done for free!
Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy– We are very excited to welcome back Dawn Foley who was trained from Dog B.O.N.E.S therapy, Dawn will be offering her therapy dog service at least once a month at the Milford Youth Center. Dawn and her two therapy dogs (Daisy, a 12 year old King Charles Cavalier) and (Callie, a 14 month cocker spaniel) will be greeting students on Nov. 22nd.The Milford Youth Center has become the focal point for the children of Milford. It hosts many different activities and events throughout the year for the youth of Milford and/or the Milford Schools. The Milford Youth Center’s after school program is open for youth ages 8-18, free of charge, from 2-6 pm, Monday through Friday (check monthly calendar, website and social media for any changes due to weather, holidays or vacation weeks). All Youth members must be picked up by time of closing (unless they walk home). Pick up is outside of the building on 24 Pearl St. Please visit our website for both our weather policy and traffic control plan .
All participants must fill out a registration form annually to be a member. Once this form is completed and returned to the Center, the member will be provided with a key tag and ID number (if they are new members to the program). This will be how the Youth Center staff will track attendance. Therefore, all members are required to bring in their key tag in order to enter the facility. If key tag is lost, the Center will charge $1.00 for replacement. The game room, lounge and gymnasium will be offered daily. There will be structured programs that participants must sign up for to participate in. Members are also able to use our washer and dryer, free of charge, during operation hours. The Center also offers a free snack and dinner program, due to the collaboration of CACFP, Hockomock Area YMCA and the Milford School Food & Nutrition Services department.