We can’t believe we have already reached July! We ended the 10-month, free After-School program, with just under 500 registered members! On Friday, June 13th, everyone at the MYC celebrated the year with a massive party! Over 75 members enjoyed a water slide, bounce house, face paint, games, snow cones, raffles, goodie bags, youth superlatives and our senior staff send off! Even though we are sad to see our members go for the summer, it is time to prepare for Summer Camp! We really value your input so please take a couple minutes to complete this quick survey here about our programs, along with space to offer suggestions and an inquiry about volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions, please email Program Coordinator, Joanna Abrantes, at jabrantes@milfordma.gov.
Our Life Skills program continues in its 3rd year in honor of our former board member Ron Taylor. The Life Skills program is meant to teach our youth skills that can carry them into their adult years. This year, we had woodworking, CPR, peer pressure awareness, life as an EMT, mental health awareness and safety outdoors. All these life skill programs have been informative, helpful, and successful. Some health and fitness programs, in collaboration with Milford Regional Medical Center, were FitFun with Carly, basketball skills run by former member Aaron with We All Hoop, and our weight room along with PT staff Victor Canino.
Youth also enjoyed soccer, volleyball, pickleball, dodgeball and our game room. This year we brought back our Volleyball Tournament and our staple March Madness Tournament. We also introduced a new 3v3 Queen of the Court Tournament. The MYC staff also led a weekly arts and craft programs. Milford TV came in and taught the kids how to use the equipment, interview skills, and filmed improv skits complete with green screen and editing. Phyllis and members of Green Leaf Gardening led monthly projects and are helping to maintain our outdoor garden, indoor garden tower and sensory garden! Brian Bell has been consistent in his weekly boxing program teaching the kids more each year. Vicky has taught the kids the sewing basics all while making amazing projects! Dr. Gilmore has been teaching fishing skills weekly in the warmer months.
The Cornerstone Intergenerational program continued with their staff and residents joining the MYC youth at the Center for a monthly craft. This program allowed the seniors and the youth to spend time together with MYC staff. Our popular cooking program continued with volunteer, Pam who came in monthly with the help of others and made a meal from scratch with the kids. The kids were able to prep, cook and eat it together.
The MYC Youth Council, a leadership and community service-based group, was created to encourage MYC members to help make a difference in the community through facilitating several youth community events as well as taking part in volunteer opportunities!
The Social Emotional program is run monthly and is designed to help our youth learn about and manage their emotions and interactions with others and build the core social and emotional competencies including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills need to succeed in school and thrive in life. This year Helena of Thoughts w/ H joined for a special session.
S.T.E.A.M is a monthly program which gives the opportunity to do a hands-on activity involving science, technology, engineering, art, and math all while using the curriculum funded by a grant from the Milford Cultural Council! Part time staff led the Putting Golf Challenge using donated putting greens. The kids also got the opportunity to “Escape the MYC” in our own escape room! It has been an immense pleasure for the MYC staff to have coordinated and completed original programs and some with additives along with brand-new programs!
This year we had many returning volunteers and the pleasure of meeting new volunteers. The Milford Youth Center values, respects and admires our volunteers. The following is a list of volunteers who have run a specific program or helped in the after-school program. We’d like to thank Phyllis Foley, Earl Wilson, Judy Tusino, Frances Stone, Sue-Ellen Szynmanski, Gail Jussuame, Patsy Timmons, Pedro Herpin-Hernandez, Dr. Gilmore, Chrissy Ferrucci, John and Darlene Dulude, Dorothy Burley, James Brevigleiri, Brian Bell, William Farrell, Pamela Hunter, Pamela Goldman, Vicki Parabicoli, Patricia Lee, Kristin Pliakas, Teddi Webber and everyone or any business that helped, or donated during our Thanksgiving, Halloween and Fundraising events. Together, our amazing volunteers have given over 920 hours to the youth at the Milford Youth Center. We are humbled by your generosity. We cannot wait to collaborate with you all again in the fall!
Among the after-school programs, there are specific leaders who have come to the Youth Center to provide a lesson in their expertise. Among these outside service members there are Ron Auger, AMR, the Scouts of America, Cornerstone of Milford, MPD Family Services with service dog Piper, Infinite Pawz-ibilities, and Wayside Youth.
We also want to extend a big thank you to our part-time staff; Diane, Lauren, Jack, Julya, Rishab, Breeanna, Jazzy, Anthony, Gus, Brody, Brian, Maddie, Julia, Guy, Adrianna, Josh, Antoniyo, Jake, Maddie, Kiaxell, Yasmin, Chloee, Miguel, Mellany, Ava, and Manny. You are all valued as individuals, in your work ethic, your love for children and for the Youth Center. Your hard work and dedication are what helps us to make the after-school program possible. For that, we thank you. To our graduating senior staff, Kiaxell, Mellany, Rishab, Maddie, Yasmin and Ava, congratulations, we wish you all health and happiness and a great adventure ahead. We look forward to working with you this summer and awaiting your college vacations for your return!