MYC After-School Program: May 2026!

We cannot believe we are in month nine of our After-School Program, with over 450 registered members so far!

There will be no After-School program on Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th.

We will be open on Friday, May 22nd for registered After-School members only, from 10:30am-3:00pm for Open Gym only.

The Center will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

Attention parents and guardians! The last day of the after-school program will be May 29th!

MYC Construction: The Center will be getting work done on the building, so you will see construction materials and workers inside and outside of the building. We advise you to park across the street and/or the road on the allowed side. There will be an area fenced off in the parking lot across the street as well for construction materials, but one half will be left for MYC/Town parking!

The construction that will take place in June will affect the main entrance and the entire ground surrounding the building. For obvious safety precautions, we will not be open for the month of June.

For more information about our After-School programs see below:

Open Gym, Game Room, and Free Dinner & Snack: Open gym and the game room (will have limited availability this month due to Holiday preparation) are non-structured program spaces, where youth are allowed free play and choose activities. Members are also able to get a free dinner and/or snack in the /lounge area. At 4:00 pm, when we have the capacity, we use the back court for other sports such as soccer, volleyball and football and only allow basketball on the front court to ensure a variety of sports are played during the after-school program.
Quiet Zone: Monday through Thursday beginning at 3:00, use this quiet time to get your homework done, play a board game, read a book or just get away for a little bit in a quieter space! Sign up on the day of, calendar permitting.
Weight Room: This program is run by Victor Canino and will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:30-5:00, calendar permitting. Youth can follow circuit weight training, free weights, a personal regimen or request assistance and guidance. They are not required to spend the full program time. They can stay until their routine is complete. We were also able to get a new TV that allows us to connect to Spotify so the kids can get pumped and listen to (approved) music and get motivated and have fun while working out! This program is possible due to our collaboration with the UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center.
MYC Cup Soccer Tournament: New this May, the MYC will hold a 3 day soccer tournament. On Friday, 5/1, there is a Mandatory Meeting at 3:30. During the meeting, Captains will be chosen, teams will be made and jerseys will be given out. On Wednesday, 5/6, and Thursday, 5/7, games will be played promptly at 3:30. The Championship game will be on Friday, 5/8 at 3:30. If you cannot make any of these dates, please let David and Joanna know as soon as possible. Games will be played with the following rules: 5v5, 4 on 4 with a goalie. Games will last for 15 minutes, two 7-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime. We will go into detail at the meeting. You can sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com or when you are at the Center. Come be a part of the first MYC Cup Soccer Tournament and go down in history!
Boxing: The Boxing program is run by volunteer, Brian Bell. Brian was trained by Coach Pablo Ramos, beginning in the Natick and Framingham area. Brian is a boxing coach with over 53 years of coaching and boxing experience. He is a Milford resident and has volunteered in running the boxing program at the youth center in the past. This year, David Abrantes will also be a part of this weekly program. David will assist Brian in all aspects of this program. The goal of the program is to teach self-confidence, respect, and discipline with incredible physical work out. His personal hope is for the students to see their progression from their hard work in the program! This program is possible due to our collaboration with the UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center. This program will run on Thursdays, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 and 4/30 beginning at 3:15. Sign up the day of the program or in advance Sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com
MYC Cooking Program: Join volunteer Pam in the cooking program and make chicken cutlets and baked mac and cheese! This program will take place on Monday, 5/4 at 3:45. If your child has food allergies, we do advise that they do not sign up for this program for the safety of your child. This program has limited spots so please email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com to sign up for your child to reserve your child’s spot!
Life Skills: This month’s program, “Skills that pay off in school and Life”, will be run by Vinay Mannam of Mathnasium of Milford. He will focus on earning, saving, spending and borrowing, while touching on career exploration. This program is scheduled for Tuesday, 5/5 at 3:30. This is our fourth year running the Life Skills program in honor of our former board member Ron Taylor. The Life Skills program is going to teach our youth skills that can carry them into their adult years. If you are interested in registering your child, call the center or email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com by 5/4 by 1:00.
Cornerstone Intergenerational Program: This month, join the residents for an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, 5/6 at 3:15! All are welcome, the kids can sign up on the day of, or before with! If your child has allergies, please remind them not to participate! You can sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com. Cornerstone at Milford has partnered with the Milford Youth Center to offer intergenerational programs during the after-school program! This program allows the seniors and the youth of Milford a chance monthly to spend time together and with MYC staff. Leah Martel, the Enriched Life Director and Alycia McCallum, the Director of Community Relations, are thrilled to continue this relationship with the Milford Youth Center to create an intergenerational partnership between our residents and the youth within the town of Milford! “They communicated that “we love to give back to our associates, our community, and most importantly, our residents!
3-D Design Lab: New in May! Join volunteers, Catie and Brent and watch in amazement as your designs come to life. This is a 3-day commitment program. On Tuesday, 5/12, you will meet and plan what you will print. On Tuesday, 5/19 and Thursday, 5/21 you will watch your work come to life through the clear screen of our brand new 3-D printer, thanks to Craftroots Brewing for funding this and making it possible! This program has limited spots. If you are unable to make even 1 of the 3 days of the program, please refrain from signing up this month. To register, email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com by 5/6 by 1:00.
Sewing: Join volunteer, Vicki, who will lead a sewing program on Wednesday, 5/13 beginning at 3:30. They will be making felt sea turtles! Sign up your child at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com by 5/8 at 1:00.
Fishing: The fishing program is run by a longtime volunteer, Dr. Bob Gilmore. This program will run on the following Mondays and Wednesdays; On May 18th, 20th, and the 27th at 4:00, students will have the opportunity to walk down to Fino field with an MYC staff, to learn bait and fishing techniques with no prior experience needed! It will be a catch and release class and will take place, weather permitting.
Gardening: On Tuesday, 5/26 at 3:30, kids will help plant lettuce and herbs in our indoor garden tower thanks to our amazing volunteers, Phyllis Foley and Dee Burley from Green Leaf Gardening! Sign up your child at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com. Phyllis has a message to the families of Milford Youth Center members: “The Junior Gardener Program meets monthly at the Youth Center and is one of the center’s activities. Sponsored by the Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford, it is a free program, usually the 4th Tuesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30. The goals are to introduce kids to the joys of gardening, to explore the environment and to create art using plants and materials from nature. It is open to all youth center members.” We are also offering a new weekly Gardening Club! If gardening really interests you and you would like to meet weekly for about 15-20 minutes to help tend to the MYC plants, indoor garden tower or outdoor garden beds, depending on the season, email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com to sign up!
Milford TV: Milford TV will be running their program, thanks to the returning staff, Dominque and Chase. They give the students an opportunity to learn videography skills along with creating their own multi-media projects! This program will run on Thursday, 5/21 at 3:30. You must sign up in advance (limited space) Please email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com by 5/18 at 1:00 to sign your child up!
We All Hoop: Join Coach Aaron and his We All Hoop program on Thursday, 5/28 beginning at 4:00, where he will teach basketball skills, run drills and more! This will be a low-key program with a chance for the older kids to play against members of their age group. You can sign up in advance with mycregistrations@townofmilford.com or the day of the program.
Nutrition: Join Carly of FitFunCarly on Friday, 5/29 at 3:30 and make “dirt” pudding cups! If your child has food allergies, please reach out to Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov for specific food ingredients. With the registered after-school members who have signed up in advance for this program, she will help them to prepare ingredients in a fun manner to show that healthy snacks can be not only easy but tasty too. Sign up your child by 5/22 by 1:00. This Program would not be possible without the collaboration with UMass Memorial Milford Regional.
Email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com to sign up in advance.
End of the Year Party: For registered after-school members only, please join us in celebrating another amazing and successful school year on Friday, 5/29 with an indoor jumpy, popsicles, senior send off, youth superlatives, scholarship announcements and of course, time with friends and staff. We look forward to seeing you all there! This will be held on 5/29 from 2:15 until we close at 6:00. This will be the final day of the after-school program until the next school year.

Spirit Week at MYC: In addition to May programs, we would like to share the End-of-the-Year Youth Center’s Spirit Week!

Tuesday 5/26: Sunglasses Day

Wednesday 5/27: Pajama Day

Thursday 5/28: Crazy Sock Day

Friday 5/29: Hawaiian Day

For more information on the programs, click here.

Thank you to UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center for collaborating on our wellness and fitness programming.

For online registration forms click below:

All participants of the Youth Center must annually fill out our registration form to be a member. Once this form is completed, members will receive a key tag and ID number if they are new to the program. This is our way of tracking attendance, so please make sure all members bring their key tag to enter. If key tags are lost, the Youth Center will charge $1.00 for a replacement. Members will also be able to use our washer and dryer, free of charge, during our hours of operation. Members must communicate with MYC staff to assist with this process.

For the food programs that we offer please see below:

The Youth Center offers a free snack and dinner program, due to the collaboration of CACFP, Hockomock Area YMCA, and the Milford School Food & Nutrition Services department. Please click here for our weekly menu! Please see below for the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.
Please click here for more information about the monthly Hockomock Area YMCA Pop Up Food Pantry. Please note the time change!
Our weekly food distribution program with Spoonfuls is currently full, if you would like to be added to the wait list, please email Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov. Please click here to learn more about our weekly collaboration with Spoonful’s, formerly Lovin’ Spoonfuls. Spoonful’s is dedicated to their food rescue mission, which helps bridge the gap by facilitating the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded.

Basic information about the After School Program:

The Milford Youth Center is not licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care or any other state agency;
Registered youth may arrive at or depart from the program at any time during their time at the program.
As of Monday, February 28, 2022, we will be mask optional. It is important to note that we will support all members and staff who choose to wear a mask after the mandate is lifted. It is possible if conditions shift that masks may be required again sometime in the future as well. This does not change our policy in terms of attending being sick and/or having COVID symptoms. If you don’t go to school due to any type of illness you are not allowed to attend the Center.
Please make sure your child brings a water bottle with them daily, to refill.
There is no hanging out in front of the MYC property unless students are waiting to enter and/or to be picked up.
All students must be picked up by the time of closing, unless they walk home. Pick-up is outside of the youth center at 24 Pearl St (use intercom to communicate with the front desk).
The Youth Center is not responsible for the care or supervision of children beyond program closing time.
All lost and found items without names on them are donated and/or recycled (water bottles) at the end of each month as it accumulates quickly! Please remind your child/participant to check daily as they exit.
Please visit our polices here: behavioral, weather, health and traffic.
For video of rules, produced by Milford TV click here (video was made prior to mask optional, just FYI).
For more information on the programs, click here.

Respiratory Virus Guidelines:

On March 25, 2024, we were informed that Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently updated their guidance:

Staying home to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses | Mass.gov

This guidance aligns with recent CDC updated recommendations for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 which were released on March 1, 2024

This guidance is for respiratory viruses like Influenza, RSV, and Covid-19 as they share similar transmission methods, symptoms, and prevention strategies. This unified approach aims to simplify recommendations and address common risks more effectively.

The new CDC guidance for respiratory virus:

When you have ANY respiratory virus–stay home and away from others if you have respiratory virus symptoms. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
Return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

Your symptoms are getting better overall, and

You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing and/or testing, when you will be around other people indoors.
Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.

HOW HAS ISOLATION GUIDANCE CHANGED?

The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Note that depending on the length of symptoms, this period could be shorter, the same, or longer than the previous guidance for COVID-19.

It is important to note that the guidance doesn’t end with staying home and away from others when sick. The guidance encourages added precaution over the next five days after time at home, away from others, is over. Since some people remain contagious beyond the “stay-at-home” period, a period of added precaution using prevention strategies, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses can lower the chance of spreading respiratory viruses to others.

We considered multiple options for adjusting isolation guidance at different lengths of time. In addition to fewer people getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and having better tools to fight serious illness, CDC considered other factors such as the personal and societal costs of extended isolation as well as the timing of when people are most likely to spread the virus (a few days before and after symptoms appear). The updated guidance is easy-to-understand, practical, and evidence-based, as well as more aligned with long-standing recommendations for other respiratory illnesses.

In addition to CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance, there are several special considerations for people with certain risk factors for severe illness, including older adults, young children, people with weakened immune systems, people with disabilities, and pregnant people.

To read the complete report, click here. Also, CDC has created an information FAQ page for the new respiratory guidance, available here.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax:

(202) 690-7442; or

(3) email:

program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.