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Monthly Updates

We cannot believe we are in month eight of our After School Program, with over 455 registered members so far!

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, Friday, May 9, 2025, and Friday, May 23, 2025, there will be no after-school program. On Monday, May 26, 2025, we will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. 

For a look at the May calendar, click here.

For more information about 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 be played during the after-school program.
    • Boxing: The Boxing portion of this program will be 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 52 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. 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 will run on Thursdays, 5/1, 5/15, 5/22 and 5/29 beginning at 3:15pm. 
    • Bingo: Our very popular BINGO program will be on Friday, 5/2 at 3:30. We will be giving after-school members the opportunity to win some fun prizes
    • Weight Room:  Please note the schedule change for May! This program will take place on Mondays, May 5th and 19th run by Coach Aaron of We All Hoop! Victor Canino, will be returning on Wednesdays, May 21st and 28th and Friday, May 30th from 3:30pm-5:00pm, 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 2 hours. They can stay until their routine is complete.
    • Social Emotional Learning: This month we will focus on the importance of journaling and the different ways to do it! Please email Joanna to sign up your child by 5/2 by 1:00pm. The Social Emotional Learning program will be held on Monday, 5/5 at 3:45pm.  This program 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 needed to succeed in school and thrive in life. This program is made possible by a $6,400 Community Grant from the Greater Milford Community Health Network (CHNA-6). Sign-up is required.
    • Staff vs. Kids: Since our March Madness staff vs. Kids game is always such a hit, we decided to add this to our programming calendar and will continue with it monthly if the calendar allows for it! On Tuesday, 5/6 at 3:30pm the kids vs. staff basketball game is on! Sign up in advance or the day of!
    • MYC Youth Council: The MYC Youth Council is a leadership and community service-based group, 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! Registered after-school members, ranging in ages from 8-18, can join this program and commit to making changes together! The Youth Council will be held on Tuesday, 5/6 at 3:30pm and 5/20 at 4:00pm. The 5/20 program will be the last of this year, hard to believe! The Youth Council and leaders will have a small party, please communicate this with your child! This is for the existing and active Youth Council members only! 
    • Cornerstone Intergenerational Program: This month, join the residents for an Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, 5/7/25 at 3:15pm! All are welcome the kids can sign up the day of, or before with Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov.  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!
    • We All Hoop: Join Coach Aaron and his We All Hoop program on Wednesdays, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 and 5/28 beginning 3:30, where he will teach basketball skills, run drills and more! Coach Aaron will also be running the Weight Room program on 5/5 and 5/19 at 3:30, see above for details. You can sign up in advance with Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov  or the day of the program. This Program would not be possible without the collaboration with the UMass Memorial – Milford Regional.
    • Putting Green Challenge: In recognition of our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, we are happy to bring back our Putting Green Challenge program. Kids will learn basic putting skills and golf basics on Wednesdays, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, and 5/28 at 3:30 Sign up the day of or in advance with Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov!   
    • 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 12th 14th, 19th, 21st, and the 28th 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.
    • Training with MYC social, comfort dog, Cora: Together with Jen of Infinite PAWZ-ibilities, the kids will learn gentle techniques to train and the joys you’ll find in the comfort of dogs, especially, Cora! The “Cora waiver” in the after-school registration must be signed off with a “yes” from parent/guardian approval to participate in this program.  Spots are limited! Email Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov by 5/28 by 1:00pm
    • Life Skills: This month’s program will be run by Amanda Rizoli and K-9 comfort and therapy dog, Piper, of MPD and Community Impact, Family Services Unit. Together they will talk about the importance of mental health wellness for adolescents.  This program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th  3:30pm.This is our third 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 Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov by 5/12 by 1:00pm.
    • Sewing: Join volunteer, Vicki, who will lead a sewing program on Wednesday, 5/14 beginning at 3:30. This month they will be making sea turtles! Spots are limited so please contact Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov to reserve your child’s spot no later than 5/13 by 1:00pm.
    • Think Outside the Box Thursday: This month, the kids will be given portions of pictures, but they are not allowed to finish them with the obvious, they must TOTB! They will also have to solve a puzzle and figure out the colors of the shapes by process of elimination!  It will be held on Thursday, 5/15 at 3:30. This will allow the youth to get creative, solve puzzles, finish half drawn pictures, think quickly to answer riddles, answer “would you rather” questions, and so much more, all while “Thinking outside the box!”
    • Nail Salon: On Friday, 5/16 at 4:00pm a staff member will be doing some fun Spring nail designs! She is new to the MYC but not to the nail design world! On the day of the program, she will provide images of special designs that the kids can choose from! Kids can sign up in advance or on the day of!
    • 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, 5/22 at 3:30-4:30pm. You must sign up in advance (limited space) Please contact our Program Coordinator, Joanna, at jabrantes@milfordma.gov by 5/21 at 1:00pm to sign your child up!
    • STEAM: On Tuesday, 5/27 at 3:30, join the Steam program! This will be the last program of the year; We will be chiseling away at “dinosaur eggs”! Sign up with Joanna jabrantes@milfordma.gov by 5/23 by 1:00pm. This month our After School Members will be given the opportunity to do a hands-on activity involving science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our curriculum funded by a grant from the Milford Cultural Council! 
    • Gardening: On Tuesday, 5/20 at 3:30pm, kids will begin our outdoor garden, thanks to our amazing volunteer, Phyllis Foley, from Green Leaf Gardening! 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.”
    • Nutrition: Join Carly of FitFunCarly on Friday, 5/30 at 3:30pm! This month on the menu, make taco dip with refried beans! 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 5/28 by 1:00pm. This Program would not be possible without the collaboration with the UMass Memorial – Milford Regional.
    • Spirit Week at MYC: In addition to May programs, we would like to share the End- of- the- Year Youth Center’s Spirit Week!
        • Monday 5/19: Crazy Hat Day
        • Tuesday 5/20: Pajama Day
        • Wednesday 5/21: Wear Purple for Peace Day
        • Thursday 5/22: Sunglasses Day

For more information on the programs, click here.

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 online registration forms click below:

For the food programs that we offer please see below:

  1. 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!
  2. Please click here for more information about the monthly Hockomock Area YMCA Pop Up Food Pantry. Please note the time change!
  3. 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. If you are a member of our programming and would like to sign up to receive weekly rescued groceries, click here (limited space).

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.