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Monthly Updates

We cannot believe we are in month eight of our After School Program, with over 400 registered members so far!

There will be no After-School program on Friday, April 3rd and Tuesday, April 21st.

The Center will be closed on Monday, April 20th in observance of Patriot’s Day. 

We will be open from April 22nd through the 24th for registered after-school members only, from 12:00pm-3:00pm for Open Gym only.

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!

For the full April 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 are played during the after-school program.
  • Quiet Zone: Monday through Thursday beginning at 3:00pm, 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 3:30pm-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 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.
  • Cornerstone Intergenerational Program: Staff and MYC registered youth members who sign up will go off site and visit Cornerstone this month on Wednesday, 4/1 at 3:15pm and play games and win prizes with the residents! 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!
  • 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 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. 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 3:15pm. Sign up the day of the program or in advance Sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com
  • We All Hoop: Join Coach Aaron and his We All Hoop program on Thursdays, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 and 4/30 beginning at 4:00, where he will teach basketball skills, run drills and more! On 4/30, Coach Aaron will be running a 3v3 program for youth ages 13-18. We ask that you come in with your team of 3 already in place and wearing a similar color t-shirt. 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. If you have questions about the 3v3 games, email Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov
  • MYC Cooking Program: Join volunteer Pam in the cooking program and make chicken, broccoli and ziti and garlic bread! This program will take place on Monday, 4/6 at 3:45pm.  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!
  • Gardening: On Tuesday, 4/7 at 3:30pm, kids will paint Redbud trees on canvas with broccoli, 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!
  • Sewing: Join volunteer, Vicki, who will lead a sewing program on Wednesday, 4/8 beginning at 3:30. They will be making “monster softies”! Spots are limited so please contact Joanna at jabrantes@milfordma.gov to reserve your child’s spot.
  • Arts & Crafts: Arts & Crafts is led by Program Coordinator, Joanna Abrantes. This program encourages youth to draw, paint, and craft projects to develop their artistic talents. Arts & Crafts gives kiddos a creative outlet that allows their imaginations to flourish and will be run on Thursday, 4/9 at 3:30pm. Kids can sign up when they arrive after school.
  • Nail Salon: On Friday, 4/10 at 3:30pm, a staff member will be doing some fun, lets-get-ready-for-spring themed design.
  • Book Club: Join Sam Cesario of the Milford Town Library, once a month on Mondays at 3:30. The MYC Book Club has made some changes! Sam with Milford Town Library will be here once a month to talk about the themed books for the month and to do a related craft! This will be our last Book Club program for this year! On 4/13 at 3:30, the theme will be, Diary of A Wimpy Kid! Sign up the day of the program or in advance Sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com
  • 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 Tuesdays, 4/14 and 4/28 at 3:45.  If interested in participating, please email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com.
  • Putting Green Challenge: In recognition of our 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, we are happy to bring back our Putting Green Challenge program. Kids will learn basic putting skills and play games that will help put their skills into play on Tuesday, 4/14 at 3:30 Sign up the day of or in advance at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com.
  • Mindful Movement: New this month! Join our new volunteer, Becky! She will focus on teaching youth how to stretch properly as part of a daily routine, for before and after a workout, dance class or sports. She hopes to add a short dance routine at the end of the class as well, if the participants choose to do so, and if time permits! This program will run on Wednesdays, 4/15 and 4/29 at 4:00 in April. Spots are limited! Sign up the day of the program or in advance Sign up at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com
  • 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 Wednesday, 4/16 at 3:30. You must sign up in advance (limited space) Please contact email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com by 4/13 at 1:00pm to sign your child up!
  • Nutrition: Join Carly of FitFunCarly on Friday, 4/17 at 3:30pm and make pizza wraps! 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 4/13 by 1:00pm. This Program would not be possible without the collaboration with the UMass Memorial – Milford Regional. Email mycregistrations@townofmilford.com to sign up in advance.
  • Ping Pong Tournament: Join our brand new, first, annual Ping Pong Tournament! Whether you are a ping pong pro or never picked up a paddle, you are welcome to join! Games are to 11 points; you must win by 2. Games are best of 3. Competitors will be chosen on the day of. Sign up in advance at mycregistrations@townofmilford.com
  • Flag Football: Join Tackle/Flag Director for Milford Youth Football and Cheer, Danielle Albano, and play flag football! She will be here to offer information about the town flag and tackle football programs and help run the MYC flag football games on Wednesday, 4/29 at 3:45, sign up the day of!

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:

  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! Please see below for the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.
  2. Please click here for more information about the monthly Hockomock Area YMCA Pop Up Food Pantry. Please note the time change!
  3. 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.