"YOUR Youth and Family Resource "

Supporting Our Children
&
Strengthening Our Community

Volume 5- Issue 8- August 2017

Special Summer of Service Issue

August  News & Updates


FiOs 1 News was on hand to cover the 
Pizza Box Top Community Education Campaign!!!

** 
Check out the link below to see the FiOS 1 clip of Youth & Community Alliance volunteers in ACTION!!!


Pizza Box Top Sticker

"Pizza Box Top Community Education Campaign"

Sponsored by the Horizons Counseling & Education Center,
Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau 
and
Youth & Community Alliance-Substance Abuse Committee

FiOs 1 News came to one of the Pizza Box Top program sites in order to report to their r viewers what the Town of Smithtown and the Youth & Community Alliance is doing to deal with substance abuse, including  underage drinking .

H orizons Counseling and Education Center, Smithtown Youth Bureau, and the Town of Smithtown Youth & Community Alliance's Substance Abuse Committee collaborated on their second Pizza Box Top project this summer.

Horizons & Youth Bureau staff and   21 Student & Adult Alliance volunteers worked with  local pizzerias placing  1,500 prevention stickers on  pizza boxes. The prevention messaging stickers say,  "Your Actions Matter! Preventing underage drinking is everyone's responsibility."

The goal is to bring attention and awareness to the dangers of underage drinking and the legal ramifications for serving alcohol to minors. 

The  Pizza Box Top campaign  was held at various pizzerias throughout the Township  o n Friday, July 28, 2017, 2 PM - 3 PM.    Community Service Credit was provided to students
 
 
** FiOS 1 News visited one of the program sites
 to cover the story! 
 See the FiOS 1 Video  here

 
Program photos below:





A Special Thanks to the participating pizzerias that
 helped with this Community Education Campaign:

Gino's in Kings Park
Buona Sera in Smithtown
Montes in Smithtown
Ciro's Pizza in Hauppauge
Mema's in Commack
Mama Sbarro's in Hauppauge
Branchinellis in Hauppuage


Community Service Event and Pool Party - A GREAT Success!
 
A family Community Service Event was held on Monday, July 17, 2017 at the Smithtown Landing Country Club, Lessing's Catering facility in Smithtown, hosted by the Smithtown Youth Bureau, Youth Advisory Board, Smithtown Departments of Recreation, Parks and Public Safety, and additional sponsorship by TRUETOX Laboratories.  Sound system and and photography services donated by Rick Holmes and Kings Park Productions volunteers.

Approximately 130 student and parent Town residents  v olunteered to assemble
250  "Ready for School Packets," which will be distributed to struggling youth & families throughout the Township.   In addition to serving as a wonderful opportunity for family volunteerism, students received formal  community service credit for their efforts.

The evening began indoors at the beautiful Nissequogue Room, with space generously donated by Lessing's Catering.  After completing their community service activity and dinner, participants walked outside to the Town Pool facility for swimming and music, as well as, balloon creations and temporary tattoo stations.  The Town Pool was open exclusively for program participants. 

The 250 "Ready for School" supply packets will be distributed to struggling families identified confidentially by school social workers in Commack, Hauppauge, Kings Park, & Smithtown districts, as well as, through the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry, Emergency Housing facilities and houses of worship.

The program was a great success.  Participants not only enjoyed quality "family time," but left the event with the wonderful feeling that they had helped others in their community.  

A VERY special THANKS to all of our volunteers!
This program could not have been offered without your help!!!

Light Blue shirts - Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps Members
Deep blue shirts  -   Smtithtown Youth Advisory Board Members

   See photos below!


 Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps  & Smithtown Youth Advisory Board Members
 supervising the "Ready For School" supply package assembly line.


Y.B. Volunteer Corps Member manning the
 Temporary Tattoo Station.


Families assembling "Ready For School" supply packets.


Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps & Smithtown Youth Advisory Board Members
 serving pizza and snacks.



*Several Openings Still Left...
Register NOW!

-Volunteer as a Family-

Create A Beautiful Butterfly Garden for the Public to Enjoy!!!
AND
-Earn Community Service Credit this Summer-


The Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau will be partnering with the Smithtown Historical Society to offer additional, fun student & family volunteer opportunities.

During this summer's collaborative program, in addition to spending quality time outdoors, creating a beautiful, flowering Butterfly Garden, participants will learn about the Town's agricultural history. 

As local butterflies, such as the Monarch, face the threats posed by pesticides, the creation of nurturing, safeguarded environments is critical to the preservation of the natural character of the Town of Smithtown.

Student Volunteers in grades 7 - 12  are needed to plant a Butterfly Garden on the Smithtown Historical Society grounds for the public to enjoy.  Participants earn community service credit, while enjoying the great outdoors, beautifying their community and developing gardening skills. 

*Register SOON, since summer programs fill quickly. 
 A  limited number  of student participants (and some parents) will participate in this community, beautification program on:

Saturday, August 19, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Smithtown Historical Society Grounds


To Register email:  Stacey Sanders
Registration Required

Click  Here 
or listing of all Smithtown Historical Society events.

Youth & Community Alliance of Smithtown

Volunteers Needed...
Be a Community Leader


Adults and High School Students from
Commack, Kings Park, Smithtown & Hauppauge School Districts
 are Always Needed to Participate!!!
    

Town of Smithtown
Youth and Community Alliance 

See dates below
for Two Upcoming Meetings

NEW Adult & H.S. Students Invited to join.....
Plus...School District Personnel - Community & Faith-Based Organizations, etc.
 


This month...

Committee Meeting
All Committee meetings will be held in the
Horizons Center Community Room
161 E. Main Street, Smithtown


PLEASE Attend...

"Healthy Relationships Committee"
Fostering Healthy Communication & Relationships

Monday, August, 14, 2017
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

This  Committee is planning an 
Effective Communication Workshop.
Committee members will assist in running the workshop

----------------------------------------------------------
 
 Don't Miss It...
 
Town of Smithtown
Youth & Community Alliance  
" General Membership Quarterly Meeting "
 
Tuesday, August 29th, 4:30-6:00 
  Smithtown Library Main Branch
All Committees meet to discuss initiatives

All General Membership Meeting attendees will receive:
" Narcan Training"

Free training at this meeting provided by CASJ -
 Community Action for Social Justice
Narcan Kits provided to participants


To Register for the "Healthy Relationships Committee" meeting,
and/or the "Alliance General Membership Meeting"/Narcan Training 
Email Stacey Sanders, Youth Bureau Executive Director:

_________________________________________________ 
 
 
News from our Alliance Committee Members:


See what our Youth & Community Alliance Members are up to... 
   
Janet Liu - a student member of the Alliance and the 
Town of Smithtown Youth Advisory Board and her friends
 created this 
 powerful Public Service Announcement. 

A MUST See!!!

Click below to Watch...

 


 
**A new website for the Town of Smithtown  Youth and Community Alliance is currently U nder Construction. 

Visit the newly developed Alliance  website from time to time and see where you'll find the most current information on our Alliance, and how you and your family can be more involved in your community.



 
Bicycle Rodeo's made a BIG hit! 


This summer, the Smithtown Youth Bureau partnered with the the Town's Recreation Department to bring our Bicycle Rodeo program to the Town's Summer Playground Programs.

Together with EAC, Inc.  and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, campers from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade learned bike safety and had the opportunity to ride bikes on a course designed by the Sheriff's Department.
 
Many thanks to Amanda Riggio and Jean Stroebel from the Recreation Department for all of their assistance!






















 
Other Smithtown Recreation Department
Playground Program Presentations...

"Having Fun while Learning How to Set Goals"


Horizons Counseling & Education Center & Smithtown Youth Bureau provided fun, educational presentations at six (6) Smithtown Recreation Playground Program sites. Participants ages 4 through 11 played interactive games meant to teach the all important life skill of Setting Long-Term and Short-Term Goals.

The process of setting goals allows students to choose where they want to go in life and school and what they want to achieve. By knowing what they want to achieve, they know what they have to concentrate on and improve. Goal setting gives students long-term vision and short-term motivation.

Having sharp, clearly defined goals, which students can measure, will allow them to take pride in accomplishing those goals. They can see clear forward progress in what might have seemed a long drawn out process or an unreachable destination.

By setting goals students can:
  • improve their academic performance
  • increase their motivation to achieve
  • increase pride and satisfaction in performance
  • improve their self-confidence


Chance to Win Prizes for Respondents!!!

Parent and Student Surveys
 NOW online!

Assist with our Town-wide  Needs Assessment


Only Takes a Few Moments
 to
 Complete the  Brief Survey....


We are looking for YOUR input!  There are two brief surveys - one for parents and one for students. 

As town residents, your opinions regarding the needs you see in your community are of utmost importance to us!

Please take a few moments to complete the brief survey. Your input helps us to improve upon our existing programs, and to develop new ones to meet community needs.  

We depend on community input....PLEASE click on the links below to participate.  The survey only takes a few moments.    Thank you!!!


You have to Be In It...To Win it!!!

Chance to win a prize for your family...
For respondents who complete the survey and
include their email address!

Click Links below to participate:





Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps

NOW APPLY ONLINE!!!
 
It's Quick & Easy!


Apply to become a volunteer with the Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps.

Complete and submit the online volunteer application by clicking
on the link below:


Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps Membership...

Don't delay....register NOW!

The Smithtown Youth Bureau maintains a  Volunteer Program Database for tracking volunteer information and your volunteer activities.  If you would like to be included in this database, please complete the Online Volunteer Corps Application. 

Registered volunteers will receive early notification of volunteer opportunities with the Youth Bureau, other Town Departments, as well as opportunities with our local partners.

Note:  Please be sure to include any previous volunteer service(s) on your application.

*Adults and students  are invited to register.*

Adults are needed to assist with program supervision and serve on the
Smithtown Youth Advisory Board  and the
 Youth & Community Alliance of Smithtown
(details on our web site)



 Highlighted Youth Bureau Programs

The Smithtown Youth Bureau offers ongoing youth development, prevention and intervention programs for youth and families in the Commack, Kings Park, Hauppauge and Smithtown school districts.  Our popular programs include:
  • Study Skills - Time Management - Organizational Skills
  • Anger/Emotional Management
  • Positive Action -
    Reconnecting Youth -Why Try, etc. (Research-based Prevention Programs)
  • Parent Study Group (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) 
  • Guiding Good Choices (Parenting young children)
  • Upstander Revolution: A Bullying/Cyber Bullying presentation
  • Eight Dimensions of Wellness (SAMHSA)
  • Mindfulness
  • Leadership/Youth Empowerment and Community Service Opportunities
  • Bicycle Safety Rodeos
  • Babysitting Skills/Basic Employment Readiness
 
Inspire - Learn - Grow
 
Visit our web site for information on all available programs.

 
Please contact us for more information, 
 or to schedule a program for your 
school   or  community group.  



 

Horizons Center News

Do YOU Know about Underage Drinking
 and  the Social Host Law?

What you need to know....


Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini held a news conference on June 28, 2017 discussing the Social Host Law and the dangers of underage drinking. This is a timely subject because during the summer months more young people engage in underage drinking and in some cases; adults are the ones supplying them the alcohol.

Attention...
The law was amended to in June 2016 to reflect more serious penalties.
  • Previously, a first offence was a violation.  It is now considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine. 
  • Second and subsequent offenses are punishable by a maximum of a $1,000 fine and up to a year imprisonment.
If adults in the community are aware of any planned underage drinking parties, they can call Suffolk County's "Cancel the Keg" hotline at (631) 852-KEGS and an officer will respond to that residence to notify parents. 


*Upcoming Horizons Community Education Program...

"How do you recognize whether Gambling activities
 are just FUN....
OR an Addictive Problem?"

See Gambling Program Flyer for more information
Email Kelly DeVito for information/registration:  
Bring  all of your questions!
Youth Bureau Staff Corner
   
        
The Smithtown Youth Bureau Staff hope you're having a
WONDERFUL  Summer!!!
 
We're looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming,
 fun summer programs!
 
August Greetings From...
Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau Staff:
Stacey Sanders, Janine Marc-Anthony, Cynthia Grimley, 
Karen Aldrich,  Gina Shalhoub and Crystal Belli

&
Our Partners at...
Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling  Education  Center
See more information regarding Horizons below
             
   
                 
              
 

T
Town of Smithtown Horizons/Youth Bureau Department

Horizons Counseling and Education Center 
is the Town of Smithtown's program for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol related problems.  Services include counseling, specialized adolescent and adult treatment groups, and referrals for additional services.  Smithown Horizons and Smithtown Youth Bureau work in collaboration to provide prevention education to school districts and community organizations. 

For information about Horizons services visit their web site:


__________________________________________________________


Youth Bureau Partners:
NYS Office of Children & Family Services, NYS Department of Transportation, Suffolk County Police Department - 4th Precinct, Suffolk County Youth Bureau,  NYS Association of Youth Bureaus, Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council, Smithtown Animal Shelter, Smithtown Recreation Department, Smithtown Parks Department, Long Island Volunteer Center, Smithtown Historical Society,  National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA),Verizon in Smithtown, Target in Commack, Huntington Learning Center in Smithtown, Smithtown Industry Advisory Board,  Commack Coalition of Caring, Smithtown Library System,  Hauppauge Youth & Community Coalition, Kings Park in the k NO w, Smithtown Children's Foundation, Kings Park Council of Schools, Communities of Solution, League of Women, Voters, Smithtown Food Pantry,  Partners in Prevention, Project9line, Lessings at Smithtown Landing Country Club,
 and many others.





Useful Links:
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Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau |  631-360-7595 |

 
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