Annual Events
Citywide Back To School Rally
MOTIVATING YOUTH TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL
Waterbury Youth Services in collaboration with the City of Waterbury and the Board of Education hosts an annual Citywide Back To School Rally. The event is held a week before school starts as an effort to promote school attendance, combat truancy, and engage the community in celebrating the educational advancement of our youth. Each year, thousands of youth and their families attend this event. Information is available for parents/guardians and students about after-school programming and community resources. Motivational speakers encourage youth to succeed in school. There are fun activities and games, give-a-ways of items such as book bags and schools supplies, raffle items, Frankie’s hot dogs, local entertainment, including live broadcasting from Hot 93.7 radio station. The event is FREE and open to all Waterbury students and their families.
Excellence In Youth Awards
RECOGNIZING CHARACTER IN YOUTH
“Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.”
Excellence In Youth Awards is an annual event that celebrates character excellence in middle and high school aged youth in the Greater Waterbury Area. Youth are nominated primarily from public and private schools for demonstrating outstanding character in one of our four “Character” categories: Citizenship, Community Service, Initiative & Leadership. All nominees receive a Certificate of Excellence and an awards ceremony is held for the winners and their families. This heartwarming event is generously sponsored each year by the American Savings Foundation.
Family Thanksgiving Dinner & Turkey Distribution
SHARING THE BOUNTY
Waterbury Youth Services (WYS) partners with Sacred Heart Boy's and Girl's Soccer Teams each year to provide a free Thanksgiving meal for our youth, their families, and community members. Also through the generosity of local businesses and agencies WYS is able to distribute turkeys with all the trimmings to many of our local families.
Holiday Gift Distribution
CELEBRATING THE JOY OF HOLIDAY GIVING
Waterbury Youth Services assists families in need in a dignified manner during the holiday season by holding an annual Holiday Gift Distribution. The Holiday Gift Distribution is a special two-day event held each December for families living in the Greater Waterbury area. Gifts are collected at our annual Santa's Workshop fundraising event, and through the generosity of local businesses, Toys for Tots, agencies, and individual community members. The toys are arranged by developmental age at the agency and families are given specific times to come to select their toys. When they arrive, they are greeted by friendly staff and volunteers who assist them in finding the right gifts for their children. Each year this event distributes gifts for close to 200 children.
Prom Project Boutique
MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
Waterbury Youth Services (WYS) along with members of the community come together each year to make dreams come true for local students during prom season. It starts months in advance with an out pouring of donations: beautiful new and gently used prom gowns; shoes, jewelry, shawls and purses; gift certificates for corsages, manicures, up-dos and more. Days before the event, WYS is transformed into a "Prom Boutique", complete with reception area, dressing rooms and even a room for alterations. When the big day arrives, volunteers, including owners from local bridal stores, seamstresses, makeup artists and WYS staff are ready to assist the students in finding their perfect prom dress and accessories. All services are FREE of charge.
Young Women's World Conference
INSPIRING YOUNG WOMEN TO REACH FOR THE STARS
This unique conference is for young women between the ages of 13-19. The purpose of the event is to educate, motivate and inspire young women to reach for the stars. Workshops and motivational speakers are provided throughout the day that include subjects on healthy living, career choices and educational resources. A career panel in the afternoon provides them with the opportunity to meet with professional women to gain first-hand information and practical advice on various careers paths. This event is FREE and provides breakfast, lunch, along with a special gift bag. Young Women's World Conference is generously sponsored by the Connecticut Community Foundation. The Conference is followed by a series of 8 workshops focused on various careers which are held throughout the year.
Youth Halloween Party
PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE FOR TRICK OR TREATS
Waterbury Youth Services (WYS) provides a safe, kid friendly environment for youth in grades 4-7 to have some Halloween fun. Staff and volunteers decorate WYS, transforming it into a haunted house. Youth, if they dare, can follow the path through the halls and rooms which will lead them into a "spooktacular" Halloween party. There is a DJ and dancing, treats are given out, and prizes are awarded for the best costumes.