Making a difference in our community...
Waterbury Youth Service System, Inc. is a non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in the Greater Waterbury Region. WYSS provides hope and opportunity through programs and services that support families and help children reach their potential and become productive citizens.
Our method is simple. Give our youth the tools they need to succeed; safety, belief in themselves, hope, encouragement, caring and opportunities. They can-and do-become productive citizens.
"All the experiences working for WYSS has changed my life, in a way I never thought was possible. I have become a stronger, more educated person. I feel more confident and presentable. I have learned to be a great role model for other youths, and to help encourage other kids my age to become a better person."~David
A Visit From NBA Basketball Player Ryan Gomes
NBA Basketball player Ryan Gomes, WYSS’ newest Board member made a visit to WYSS on February, 12th. Ryan, along with area firefighters and community leaders helped launch Project Safe Place. Ryan also took the time to speak to our youth about the importance of staying in school, setting goals and persevering through adversity. He signed autographs and answered questions. Ryan, a local young man who succeeded through hard work and determination is a true asset to our youth and to our Agency.
PeaceJam Waterbury
WYSS SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) have registered as a chapter club of PeaceJam; they are calling their project group PeaceJam Waterbury. The SADD Club will be including other groups and clubs in Waterbury, who would like to join in their efforts. To date, ASPIRA, WOW/NRZ Community Center, WYSS WIA program and Crosby Key Club have joined them to work on their project: to reduce homelessness in Waterbury. The group recently met with Brass City Harvest to do research on Waterbury's homeless population. They will plan and carry out their city wide project this spring!!
PeaceJam is an international education program built around leading Nobel Peace Laureates with the goal to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform their local communities. For more information go to www.peacejam.org
WYSS Youth VS Waterbury Police Officers
WYSS Youth played a friendly game of basketball with the police officers from Waterbury Police Activity League (PAL). Though our youth scored more baskets, everyone was a winner in this game!! Youth & police officers had a chance to build relationships and all donations from this charity basketball game were given to St. Vincent De Paul's Shelter.
WYSS youth and the Waterbury Police Department are collaborating on a project funded by The Youth Development Training Resource Center at The Consultation Center. The goal of this project is for youth and local police to build better relations by sharing information and learning from each other through positive interactions. The youth are documenting this entire process by putting together a digital story