In the news and on the move...
NEED HELP WITH YOUR TAXES?
WYSS is one of several VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) sites in the Waterbury Area. The VITA Program offers free tax help to low-to- moderate income families (generally, $49,000 and below) who need assistance to prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns. For more information or to set up an appointment call Sue Houlihan at WYSS, 203-573-0264.
INTERVIEW WITH LARRY RIFKIN on "Talk of the Town" 
WYSS Executive Director Kelly Cronin & School Readiness/POWER Program Director Linda Janowitz will be discussing the challenges of early childhood education in CT on WATR "Talk of the Town" (1320 AM on your radio dial). The interview will be held on January 29, 2010 at 11:10 AM.Don't miss this lively and informative discussion!!
TIMEX GROUP USA, INC. SUPPORTS YOUTH
Timex Group USA, Inc. located in Middlebury, CT, made a donation to our Linking Academics to Life Entrepreneurial Program. This highly successful after school program builds vocational, business, and leadership skills while developing a strong sense of charachter in youth.
BETTER CT COMES TO WYSS
Teresa LaBarbera from Channel 3’s Better CT came to WYSS on November 2nd to film a live class from our POWER program and to interview Victor Diaz, son of Felicia Diaz, POWER facilitator and past student. Victor spoke about the benefits the POWER program had on him and his family growing up. It was a “powerful” testament to the success of the program. Program was aired on Friday, November 13th at 10:00 AM.
CELEBRATING THE "SPIRIT OF WATERBURY"
WYSS joined the city's annual "Mardi Gross" celebration on Sunday, October 25th. WYSS cheerleaders danced in costume to the song Thriller and "good" witch Dawn was on the Green selling mums, pumpkins and other seasonal items. WYSS and NAFI Stepping Stones joined together to create The Haunted Halls Of Waterbury, a haunted house held at the Stepping Stones gymnasium on Park Place. Slideshow of the City's annual Fall festival "The Spirit Of Waterbury"
MOTIVATING YOUTH AT THE BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY
The 12th annual City wide Back To School Rally was held on August 19th at Library Park, downtown Waterbury. The purpose of the rally is to motivate and prepare local youth to return to school. Thanks to the support of local businesses and agencies the rally was a great success!!
Back To School Rally 2009 Slideshow
"I believe that our students in attendance were motivated and believe that I can do this; and that parents waiked away armed with information and resources that would help make their children successful."
AMERICAN SAVINGS FOUNDATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Meet our summer intern, a senior at UCONN in the Business and Technology program. We requested and were approved for a small grant to offer an internship opportunity for an American Savings Foundation (ASF) Scholar for the summer 2009. The ASF Scholars Program is one of the largest scholarship programs in Connecticut. This year more than 340 students are receiving over $650,000 in college scholarships from the Foundation. They designed a paid internship program to help their scholars gain meaningful work experience in a professional environment, while giving local nonprofit agencies the extra assistance of a talented college student.
A SIZZLING HOT FOODS EXPO
Students from Crosby High School's Culinary Arts Dept. served up some hot 'n' spicy foods at our 8th annual Hotter Than Heck Fest, which was held on May 8th at the Crossroads Cantina Restaurant in Waterbury. Over 200 attendees were rocking to the music of Crosseyed Cat, while sampling foods from over 20 local chefs and restaurants. For pictures and a listing of our very generous sponsors and vendors click here...
A SYMBOL OF HOPE...A PROMISE TO HELP
Identified by a yellow and black diamond shaped sign, Project Safe Place will once again be a symbol to youth in crisis in Waterbury and the surrounding areas. Providing immediate help and safety, available 24 hours a day. Borne of the need to provide young people with an easily accessible and well recognized haven for youth in crisis, Waterbury Youth Services has partnered with the Waterbury Fire Department to re-establish a network of “Safe Places”. Youth friendly businesses and public locations will display the Safe Place logo indicating their participation.