By Josh Davis, Associate Editor
(Feb.14, 2019) Tiffany Scott, newly hired youth programs coordinator with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, introduced herself to Berlin Parks Commission members at their session last Tuesday.
Scott succeeds Austin Piccarreta, who left the position in September to accept a job closer to home, and Amanda Chaffee, who is now a Worcester Youth therapist.
According to a Worcester Youth press release, “The Youth Programs Coordinator oversees programming for adolescent programs and the Berlin Youth Club. Strengthening Adolescent Boys with Education and Resources (SABERS) is a support program for boys in 7th and 8th grade. The Berlin Youth Club is for youth ages 6-11 who reside in the town of Berlin.
“The Youth Programs Coordinator organizes cultural, educational and social activities for the youth throughout the year. The coordinator also organizes youth activities for various town events and manages a volunteer corps to help with youth activities,” the release said.
Scott formerly served as a community health outreach worker in the patient centered home program at the Worcester County Health Department. In 2015, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University with a concentration in Community Health and Health Education.
“I’m excited. It’s only my second week, but it feels like three months!” Scott said last Tuesday. “The energy is great over here. I came from public health, so a nonprofit is really different.
“But it’s a great world … especially working here in downtown Berlin,” she continued. “I’ve been going around and meeting my neighbors, seeing where I can get the kids to partner and get them learning about different things. I’m all about exposing them to different things.”
Later during the meeting, Scott provided a monthly report to the committee. She said the first SABERS session under her watch would occur this week.
“That’s boys, seventh and eighth grade, from Stephen Decatur Middle School,” she said. “I’ve given out applications and gotten six back so far, so I’m excited about that.”
A welcome event for Scott is scheduled this Friday at the Worcester Youth office, where she hopes to meet participating children and their parents.
“I’m trying to form a better relationship with not just the kids, but the families too,” she said.
Scott will also take part in a Bus Stop Snack Shack event in Pocomoke on Feb. 27, and said she hopes to involve the Berlin library in future activities.
“I am an avid reader. I love the library and that new one [in Berlin] is amazing,” she said. “I want to see what we can do to get the youth more involved.”
For more information about Worcester Youth programs, call 410-641-4598 or visit www.gowoyo.org.