Waterbury Youth Service's kids in action...
IN THE DOG HOUSE
What dog would not like to be in this dog house? This is one of the many spring projects that the youth in our E-Progam are working on. They are refurbishing park benches, building a green house and they have already planted their seeds; corn, lettuce, grapes and raspberries, in preparation for their raised bed garden. The E-Program offers youth the opportunity to build vocational, business, and leadership skills while developing a strong sense of character.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR AT THE CAPITOL
A group of youth from our After-School Programs joined with other youth from around the state to attend the 4th annual "Youth Leadership Seminar" during "Youth Service Bureau Day at The Capitol". The group had a chance to tour the capitol, meet with legislators and take part in a focus group activity dedicated to juvenile justice issues.
SWEET LOLLIDOODLE SENSATIONS
Youth from our Downtown Academy Business Entrepreneur Program opened their business in the month of March. "Sweet Lollidoodle Sensations" manufactures chocolate flower lollipops and chocolate covered pretzels . Through this program youth are introduced to basic business skills, production and marketing. We wish them "sweet success"!
RAISE THE ROOTS PROJECT
On August 20th, youth from WYSS WIA and Summer Youth Employment programs came together with teens and staff from WOW/NRZ Learning Center, The Mattatuck Museum and Brass City Harvest to celebrate the Raise the Roots project and all their summer accomplishments. The evening included two video presentations and a beautiful brochure documenting the project from start to finish along with examples of the greenhouses, terrariums, birdhouses and artwork. This was a great finish to the summer project!!
AN ACT OF KINDNESS
Waterbury SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) made sandwiches for the St. Vincent de Paul's Homeless Shelter in September. The club has committed to make 50 sandwiches monthly for shelter residents thru June 2010.
I'D RATHER EAT BUGS!!
The Waterbury SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club designed and presented an interactive substance abuse prevention program, “I’d Rather Eat Bugs than Do Drugs”, to 4th and 5th grade students in the Sprague Elementary School after school program. Students designed their own t-shirts with drug prevention message and participated in a "Bag Swap" with local liquor stores. Retailers "lent" bags to the SADD Club for children to write and draw prevention messages on the bags; SADD members returned the bags to retailer to use to bag customer purchases. Students also composed a rap song with a prevention message. The students had fun while learning and spreading an important message. Our SADD Club is funded in part by a grant from The Perrin Family Foundation.
YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Six youth from WYSS met with other youth from YSB's around the state to attended YSB Day At The Capitol. They listened to Senator Toni Harp speak about the budget process and afterwards the youth took place in a mock budget exercise which mirrored the budget cutting process. They also had the opportunity to meet with Senator Joan Hartley and Jay Aronson, the CYSA Lobbyist. Now they will use their experience from the Day At The Capitol to contact the Governor to ask her to support the YSB's budget.
WYSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS YOUTH MEMBER
"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. WYSS has changed my life in a very positive way, and I know they can do the same for others." David is 16 years old and has been involved in many of WYSS's youth programs; Tech Media Program, Year Round Youth Program and WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Program. In the summer of 2008 we are proud to say that David became the new youth member on the WYSS Board of Directors.
CELEBRATING OUR YOUTH
Ray, a WYSS youth, graduated from Porter & Chester Institute on 1/29/09 as an Automotive Technician. He will be transferring to Baran Institute this month to pursue his Auto Body & Repair License. Everyone at WYSS is very proud of his accomplishments!
YOUTH LEADERS GO TO SUMMER CAMP
Two Waterbury youth leaders and two adult advisors attended the MADD Youth Leadership Power Camp 2008 from July 15-18th at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. They joined 125 youth leaders from around the state who are ready to make a change in societal attitudes about underage drinking and its consequences.