(Dec. 22, 2016) Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services in Berlin put a bow on 2016 last week by holding an end-of-year celebration for members of two of its youth programs.
Program coordinator Amanda Chaffee said about 80-90 children and their families attended, including members of the Berlin Youth Club and SAGES (“Strengthening Adolescent Girls with Education and Support”).
The youth club is designed to offer cultural, educational and wellness experiences to area children during gaps in the school year, while SAGES supports girls who are having difficulty or conflict in their homes or schools.
Both programs include entertaining and educational trips and events throughout the year, as well as opportunities to take part in community-improvement activities in and around Berlin.
During the event last Thursday at the offices in Berlin, Dana Marie Photography provided a photo booth, which Chaffee said was a huge hit, and children painted ornaments and picture frames and undertook craft projects. Emming’s BBQ in Whaleyville catered.
Chaffee said the event was largely designed to get to know the families at little better.
“Many of them of know exactly who I am, but with SAGES starting in September and me going on maternity leave [around then] I didn’t get to meet many of the new parents, so this was our opportunity to get together just for a fun event,” she said.
Worcester Youth Executive Director Steven Taylor, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Director Brigitte Southworth, CASA Volunteer Coordinator Angela Manos and Communications Coordinator Lauren Davis helped organize and carry out the happening with Chaffee. Robin Tomaselli from Baked Dessert Café also pitched in.
“[Tomaselli] actually worked with the SAGES this week to make the desserts and she donated everything,” Chaffee said.
Members of the SAGES programs also decorated the space at Worcester Youth and helped make appetizers.
As a whole, Chaffee said the event “went really well.”
“We had a good turnout, which was really nice, and everybody seemed to have a good time,” she said. “The kids loved the photo booth and the parents seemed really excited that the kids were enjoying themselves. Overall, it was really good.
“At BYC we see [the children] all summer long, but we really haven’t seen them consistently since the end of August,” Chaffee added. “This is a nice event to get everybody together again, and it was as if they picked back up where they left off. They were running around taking pictures together, they were making crafts together. You have some kids during the summer kind of chuckle at making crafts, but then they were the first ones painting ornaments.”
SAGES girls also helped during the recent “Meals for the Hungry” on Flower Street in Berlin.
“All 10 SAGES girls came to that event,” Chaffee said. “Each one was told prior to the event that if they didn’t want to do it they didn’t have to – it was not mandatory. We only wanted them to come if they were actively participating.
“Every single one of them was awesome,” she added. “They handed out the food, they made to-go containers, they helped clean up, they refilled coffee – they were very respectful and that was definitely my favorite community service event that we’ve had so far. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better.”
The girls apparently did so well that Globe owner Jennifer Dawicki offered them all jobs when they turn 14.
“That was really nice for them to see, that they have different opportunities to work locally in Berlin,” Chaffee said. “It’s nice for them to come together with the different owners of local businesses in the community. They get so many different opportunities to do really fun activities, but also to give back. They learn that it is important to give back to the community, no matter who you are.”
Chaffee said the next Berlin Youth Club trip is tentatively planned for February. SAGES will break during the holidays and then resume for regular Thursday meetings.
The SABERS (Strengthening Adolescent Boys with Education and Resources) group, currently on hiatus, will restart in January.
All Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services activities are supported by grants and donations.
“We’re always looking for donations for both groups or if someone is interested in having the kids do something, whether it’s community service or to expose them to a new opportunity,” Chaffee said.
For more information, call 410 641-4598 or visit www.gowoyo.org.
Program coordinator Amanda Chaffee said about 80-90 children and their families attended, including members of the Berlin Youth Club and SAGES (“Strengthening Adolescent Girls with Education and Support”).
The youth club is designed to offer cultural, educational and wellness experiences to area children during gaps in the school year, while SAGES supports girls who are having difficulty or conflict in their homes or schools.
Both programs include entertaining and educational trips and events throughout the year, as well as opportunities to take part in community-improvement activities in and around Berlin.
During the event last Thursday at the offices in Berlin, Dana Marie Photography provided a photo booth, which Chaffee said was a huge hit, and children painted ornaments and picture frames and undertook craft projects. Emming’s BBQ in Whaleyville catered.
Chaffee said the event was largely designed to get to know the families at little better.
“Many of them of know exactly who I am, but with SAGES starting in September and me going on maternity leave [around then] I didn’t get to meet many of the new parents, so this was our opportunity to get together just for a fun event,” she said.
Worcester Youth Executive Director Steven Taylor, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Director Brigitte Southworth, CASA Volunteer Coordinator Angela Manos and Communications Coordinator Lauren Davis helped organize and carry out the happening with Chaffee. Robin Tomaselli from Baked Dessert Café also pitched in.
“[Tomaselli] actually worked with the SAGES this week to make the desserts and she donated everything,” Chaffee said.
Members of the SAGES programs also decorated the space at Worcester Youth and helped make appetizers.
As a whole, Chaffee said the event “went really well.”
“We had a good turnout, which was really nice, and everybody seemed to have a good time,” she said. “The kids loved the photo booth and the parents seemed really excited that the kids were enjoying themselves. Overall, it was really good.
“At BYC we see [the children] all summer long, but we really haven’t seen them consistently since the end of August,” Chaffee added. “This is a nice event to get everybody together again, and it was as if they picked back up where they left off. They were running around taking pictures together, they were making crafts together. You have some kids during the summer kind of chuckle at making crafts, but then they were the first ones painting ornaments.”
SAGES girls also helped during the recent “Meals for the Hungry” on Flower Street in Berlin.
“All 10 SAGES girls came to that event,” Chaffee said. “Each one was told prior to the event that if they didn’t want to do it they didn’t have to – it was not mandatory. We only wanted them to come if they were actively participating.
“Every single one of them was awesome,” she added. “They handed out the food, they made to-go containers, they helped clean up, they refilled coffee – they were very respectful and that was definitely my favorite community service event that we’ve had so far. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better.”
The girls apparently did so well that Globe owner Jennifer Dawicki offered them all jobs when they turn 14.
“That was really nice for them to see, that they have different opportunities to work locally in Berlin,” Chaffee said. “It’s nice for them to come together with the different owners of local businesses in the community. They get so many different opportunities to do really fun activities, but also to give back. They learn that it is important to give back to the community, no matter who you are.”
Chaffee said the next Berlin Youth Club trip is tentatively planned for February. SAGES will break during the holidays and then resume for regular Thursday meetings.
The SABERS (Strengthening Adolescent Boys with Education and Resources) group, currently on hiatus, will restart in January.
All Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services activities are supported by grants and donations.
“We’re always looking for donations for both groups or if someone is interested in having the kids do something, whether it’s community service or to expose them to a new opportunity,” Chaffee said.
For more information, call 410 641-4598 or visit www.gowoyo.org.