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MYC & JAG
August 2016
Newsletter
Full & Part-Time
Job Opportunities at the MYC!!
Are you creative, organized and enjoy working with children and teens?  If so, this full-time Program Coordinator position at the Milford Youth Center may be for you. 
 
In this paid position, you will develop and facilitate after-school programs for children and teens at the Milford Youth Center. You will recruit and manage a group of adult volunteers to assist with the facilitation of weekly program- and age-specific activities for MYC youth members.  The person in this position will be allowed the flexibility to develop and implement new and engaging programming based on the interest of the MYC youth members. In addition, the person in this position will seek grant opportunities to develop or supplement programs at the MYC. For job requirements, click here. Please return cover letter and resume to 24 Pearl Pearl St. by Friday, August 12, 2016. 

There is also a full time SCI AmeriCorps position available. For more information see below and/or click here
 
The Milford Youth Center will also be opening up five part-time positions that will be utilized for the After School hours from 2-6 PM and rental times, both evenings and weekends. Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age with demonstrated interest/experience in working with youth. The positions available are: 
  • Activities Supervisor 
  • Concession/Equipment Monitor 
  • Front Desk Monitor 
  • Activities Facilitator - will be utilized for rentals and after school
  • Program Facilitator - will be utilized for rentals and after school
For application, click here. Please return to Milford Youth Center, along with a resume, at 24 Pearl St., Milford., MA 01757. Applications are due by Friday, August 12, 2016.

 SCI AmeriCorps Position Available at MYC!
Earlier this month, the Corporation for National and Community Service issued a national competitive AmeriCorps grant-award to  Social Capital Inc., along with hundreds of other organizations across the United States. The grant will enable to SCI to place 25 full-time AmeriCorps members with local nonprofits across the Eastern Massachusetts, including 3 positions serving Milford and Bellingham.

The Hockomock YMCA, the Milford Youth Center, and the Bellingham Police Department  Youth Service Center are local host sites for the SCI AmeriCorps program.

The national AmeriCorps grant awards are made through a highly competitive application process. Though SCI has been part of the AmeriCorps program for the past nine years, this is the first time SCI has been chosen for national funding; having previously received grants through state formula funding. SCI is one of five programs in Massachusetts picked to receive a competitive AmeriCorps grant for the first time through this recent grant process. AmeriCorps programs in the state are overseen by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.

"We are thrilled to have been selected as a national competitive AmeriCorps program," commented SCI President David Crowley. "This grant award is a testament to the hard work of our staff team and the powerful service SCI AmeriCorps members have provided along with our community partners." 
Serving with SCI AmeriCorps is an amazing opportunity to gain valuable experience, make lifelong connections, and help build community. Members implement volunteer outreach and capacity building activities that increase volunteer participation, and provide leadership training and community service opportunities for youth. Members receive a stipend and post-service educational award for their service. To learn more about SCI AmeriCorps and available positions, www.socialcapitalinc.org/become-a-member .

SCI AmeriCorps members will be responsible for implementing effective volunteer management best practices at 20 organizations and increasing social capital and leadership skills of 150 youth through training and support. In addition, the 25 AmeriCorps members will leverage 2,575 volunteers each year that will be engaged in providing mentoring, leading workshops, coordinating resource fairs, and participating in service learning and community projects.

SCI was founded in 2002 with a mission to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives. SCI has grown to serve 19 Eastern Massachusetts communities, with its headquarters in Woburn.

MYC After School Program Updates!
We hope everyone is enjoying their summer and excited to start a new school year! The Center will be opening its  After School program on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 31, 2016. Updated registration forms and calendar of activities will be available soon!

The Milford Youth Center has become the focal point for the children of Milford. It hosts many different activities and events throughout the year for the youth! The Milford Youth Center's after school program is open for youth ages 8-18, free of charge, from 2-6 pm Monday through Friday (check monthly calendar for any changes). All Youth members must be picked up by time of closing (unless they walk home). Pick up is outside of the building on 24 Pearl St.  There may be additional permission forms to participate, due to some programs being held off site (Transportation is not provided). The game room,  gymnasium and lounge, will be opened daily. 

A ll participants must fill out a  registration form  to be a member. Once this form is returned to the Center, the member will be provided with a key tag and ID number. This will be how the Youth Center staff will track attendance. Therefore, all members are required to bring in their key tag in order to enter the facility. If key tag is lost, the Center will charge $1.00 for replacement . You can find out all up-to-date info at our website

Volunteers are always welcome to assist with the after school program or during the morning hours! We are always looking for help during the after school hours, 2-6 PM. You may also run a program/activity during the after school program.  We also need volunteers for our monthly evening events. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer. 
Local State Earmarks Restored! 
We would like to thank Representative John Fernandes and Senator Ryan Fattman, and both their offices, for working so hard to get many local projects back into the State Budget! Some of these projects include funding for the Milford Youth Center, Fino Field, a regional substance abuse outreach and intervention program, and the transportation bus route! For more information on the veto overrides, click here. For more information on the substance abuse earmark restored, click here
Over Half Way through
MYC Summer Camp!

We would like to thank our campers, their families, our staff and volunteers for a great first four weeks of camp! The campers has been able to enjoy activities at the Center, Fino Pool, Hopkinton State Park and trips to SkyZone, Water Wizz, Blackstone Valley IcePlex and to a PawSox game so far!

Also, congratulations to our campers of the week ( click on photo the right) :
  • Week 1: Cayson and Madison
  • Week 2: Alejandro and Dajia
  • Week 3: Tyler M. and Brandy
  • Week 4: Igor and Ciana

For more information on our MYC Summer Camp, Click here
MYC Summer Camp Thank you's!
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the  Milford Summer Food Service Program  for providing lunches and snacks for our camp! Thank you to Milford 495 Rental Center for fixing the blower of our jumpy at no cost! We utilize the jumpy everyday for summer camp and the kids are excited to have it back up and running!  Thank you to the Andreotti and Bennett families for donating water and water bottles to the camp! 
Thank you  Lisa Legere  for donating cupcakes for movie day! Another huge thank you to Dale and Kevin from the  Vineyard Church in Hopkinton  and Paul Johnson for working so hard to get the wall and rugs ready for our movie room - the kids love it! Thank you to  Joe Graziano  for helping us set up the screen, projector and sound system! Thank you to the Kidman and Vito families for donating crafts and games to the program. Thank you to ADP again for donating the foam fingers for the PawSox game and Dr. Kenneth Seitz for donating basketballs. Finally, thank you Carla Tuttle and staff for allowing us to borrow milk crates for ice skating!
Check out the Milford Summer Food Service Program at MYC!
We would like to send a HUGE shout out to everyone involved in the  Milford Summer Food Service Program! See here for their week 4 update: The Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA are partnering to operate an official USDA/MA Department of Education summer meal program for summer 2016. The Milford Summer Food Service Program, which provides lunch at three meal sites in Milford and a snack at one of the sites, will run every weekday through August 30t h. 

With 44% of kids in Milford eligible for free and reduced lunch during the school year, we are hoping to help close the hunger gap that these children face when summer comes. Our staff members and trained volunteers are also providing fun and educational programming every day of the summer to ensure kids are excited about coming to receive a meal.

Data through Week 4 (ending July 15):
  • A total of 1,740 meals have been served which includes: 
    • 573 meals served to kids at the three open (drop-in) sites
    • 118 meals served to Milford Youth Center campers during the first week of camp
    • 828 meals served to students during the first week of the Milford Public Schools Summer Success Program (summer school program for ELL and special education students) 
    • 221 meals served to adult caregivers attending one of the meal sites with their children, and adults serving as counselors in the Milford Youth Center Summer Camp 
    • 186 total snacks served
    • 145 volunteers of all ages recruited and trained
    • Over 400 volunteer hours contributed by dedicated volunteers of all ages
    • Special guest visits from Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (walking and biking safety), Project Bread (healthy taste tests and smoothies), and our YMCA's STEM and iPad technology team
THANK YOU EVERYONE! Please come down to  The Milford Youth Center and enjoy a free lunch with us from 11:30 AM- 1 PM and a free snack from 3-3:30 PM!  To volunteer, contact Marykate at  Marykateb@hockymca.org .  
Sign up for Jay's Classic Basketball Tournament to Support the MYC!
Join us for the 2nd annual "Help the Youth B-Ball Tournament" at the MYC. On a rescheduled date of Sunday, August 28th, Jay Resto and Jay's Classic Barber Shop will host a basketball tournament in our newly renovated gymnasium at 3 PM. 

Sign ups will start next Tuesday, July 12th at Jays Classic Barber Shop, located at 18 Main St. in Milford. It will cost $25/person to participate. There will be food, music, face painting, and of course, lots of basketball! You must be 18 or older to play. Teams of five will play against each other at the. All proceeds will go back to the After School and Summer Camp programs of the Center!

 If you are interested in signing a team up, please contact Jay at (401) 207-1121. 
Thank you Milford Area Chamber of Commerce and Celebrate Milford!
On behalf of the Milford Youth Center and Youth Commission, we would like to thank the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce and Celebrate Milford Board Members, who came to our July Board Meeting to present the Youth Center with a donation check! The Youth Center was selected by the group to receive all the tip money from the  Celebrate Milford Beer Garden. We would also like to thank everyone who volunteered their time at Celebrate Milford to work the beer garden. Especia lly all of the bartenders who generously donated their tip money to us - just under $1,800.00! Finally, thank you to everyone who worked so hard to put Celebrate Milford together and for supporting our program!

Photo: Back Row (L-R): Sandra Caproni, Kristen Kibbee, Joe Morais, Tony Chiarelli,  Fran Trafecante, Steve Manguso, Mike Walsh
Front Row (L-R):  Amy DiNardi Tamagni, Susan Salamone, Laura O' Callaghan, Joe Soares, Mike Shain, Kathleen Donovan, Chuck Calagione, Brenda Wheelock
MYC Summer Camp Scholarships - Thank you Milford Rotary Club & Milford National Bank!
The Milford Youth Center would like to thank the Milford National Bank and its Charitable Foundation for its generous donation of $1,100 towards the Center's Summer Camp program! We would also like to thank the  Milford MA Rotary Club  for visiting the Center last month for their meeting, to participate in the  Milford Summer Food Service Program,  for a tour of the newly renovated facility and finally to present their  generous donation of $1,000 towards our summer camp program! The Milford Rotary Club and Milford National Bank have been long time supporters of our efforts and we are very grateful for their dedication and generosity! 

 
It's due to the generosity of local groups, individuals, and companies that we are able to continue to offer free after school programming, an affordable summer camp, and provide a safe and fun environment for the youth of Milford! 

If there are any other local businesses or organizations that would like to sponsor a camper this summer please contact the Center via email 
here  or call 508-473-1756.  Every year we receive donations that help make camp available for local youth in need! It is possible to sponsor an individual camper or a family! For Milford Daily News article about Milford National Bank, click here

  Thank you to Sponsors!
 Rooms and Items still available to
Adopt at MYC!
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the generous donors of our Capital Campaign so far! 

1. Platinum: Hockomock Area YMCA (refrigerator), Milford Federal Savings & Loan Association (downstairs lounge)
2. Gold: Kenny & Nikki Rosa (unspecified), Ron Taylor (Dishwasher)
3. Silver & Bronze: Nicholas Julian (ping pong table & Arts & Crafts bin); OMR Architects ( unspecified)
4. Bronze:Peggy Ann-Berube (stove)

Interested in becoming a donor?
Your business, organization or family can adopt a room and/or item and a plaque will placed for all donors!

1. Bronze - $100.00 (Ex. Arts & Crafts Storage/Supplies, Chairs (stacks of 10), Folding Tables (sets of 5)

2. Silver - $250.00 (Ex. Cork Bulletin Board with door (lock and key), Flat screen TV, Office desks)

3. Gold - $500.00 (Ex. Lounge Chairs, Kitchen Tables and Chairs)

4. Platinum - $1,000.00 (Adopt a room/space: Main office, Arts & Crafts Room, Movie/media room, Game Room)

Thank you all again and click  here for more information and  here for a form to participate! 
Business AD Space Available to Support the Milford Youth Center!

 
How it works: When members enter the Center, they'll see your ad on the check-in screen. They'll touch the screen in order to check-in for their activities each day. After completing the check-in process, your ad will be shown again as part of a 'thank you' screen. Your ad will show itself all day like a digital billboard.

Price: $1000 per year or $1800 for 2 years. Your ad will rotate every 10 seconds. The Milford Youth Center typically operate from 10:00am - 10:00pm, Monday - Friday, and various hours on the weekends for rentals. Contact milfordyouthcenter@comcast.net or 508-473-1756 for details and specific pricing.

Screen size and presence: 23" wide aspect touchscreen mounted or located on front-desk

Artwork dimensions/format: 23" Wide Aspect screen (2:1 ratio) with diagonal of 23", which translates to a height of 10" and width of 20.00". Highest resolution possible (300 DPI or greater) and EPS/vector or any image format.

Reporting: At the end of each month, you'll receive a report showing the number of impressions and unique viewers. You'll also receive information regarding the gender and age of people who viewed your advertisement.
Why: All proceeds go directly towards Youth Center programming and supplies, allowing the Center to remain a free program to all the youth of Milford. Your business will be able to support this cause, while also promoting your company!

Teachers Driving Academy
 August 2016 Classes!

We are accepting registrations for Teacher's Driving Academy for the August 2016 class (Registration for the next school year will be available soon)! The Milford Youth Center is pleased to partner with Teachers Driving Academy to offer students a great program, at a reasonable price, with added convenience of taking classes right at school! For more information, click hereEvery registration fee is made out to "The Town of Milford- Milford Youth Center" as a donation from the TDA. Please mail form to our renovated Youth Center address at 24 Pearl St.  We are very grateful for this collaboration and support!     

CHNA 6 Updates
The CHNA 6 meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, September 23rd from 9-11am at the Milford Senior Center with a panel presentation on  Oral Health Initiatives  to include:
  • Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Oral Health Committee
  • Health Care for All's Oral Health Integration Project
  • Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
The meeting date has been changed in order not to conflict with upcoming forum,  Digging Deeper: What are the Public Health and Criminal Justice Implications of Marijuana Legalization?  on September 16th hosted by MPHA and Metrowest Health Foundation. Click here for more information.  We look forward to seeing everyone in September!

The mission of CHNA 6 is to identify, plan and advocate for a healthier community. We are dedicated to the promotion of accessible multigenerational services that assist people to lead healthier lives. CHNA 6 represents the communities of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge.
  • For a link to the CHNA 6 Greater Milford Community Health Improvement Plan, click here
  • To sign up for the CHNA 6 newsletter, click here
  • For more information, contact Ellen Freedman
Community Impact:
Supports  for Addiction
Provide services for those struggling with addiction, their families/loved ones, Crisis intervention, treatment or placement into treatment programs.
 
Substance Use Disorder Support Line:
508-377-3370

Telltale signs of possible addiction:

Addictions: There are many ways an individual can develop and addiction to narcotics whether it be alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drugs such as Heroin or Cocaine.
 
Curiosity or Peer Pressure: This group primarily targets teenagers that succumb to curiosity or peer pressure and the daily pressures of life whether from school and/or relationship issues, depression, or Domestic problems in the home, etc.

Prior or Existing Medical Conditions: Those who have suffered a serious injury which may have resulted in addiction to a physician prescribed opiate based medication to deal with pain. Some of these medications are very potent and can be very addictive if not used properly.  In many cases those who have become dependent on such pain medications will turn to other prescription medications or illegal narcotics obtained illicitly.

Personal Hygiene or Appearance/Change in Habits: Those who generally are observed to display impeccable personal hygiene will start to show indications that they care less about how they look to others. You may notice significant unexplained weight loss. You may find individuals associating with a different group of people, keeping odd hours, and sleeping late. People with addictions can appear lethargic or hyper depending on what type of drug they are taking or when they last used.

Personal Effects Missing: Personal property such as jewelry, clothing, personal electronics and other items of value go missing. These once prized possessions are either sold, pawned, or traded in order to purchase illicit narcotics.

Items Missing within the Home: It is very common that family members with addiction problems will steal from family members and those close to them. If you are noticing items missing i.e. jewelry, money, electronics, MEDICATIONS, or other keepsakes or items of value under mysterious circumstances this should alert you to a problem.

Please find attached the current listing of meals offered in the Milford
area throughout the month. We are at 17 nutritious meals being offered
throughout the month, and with the summer lunch program we will be adding an
additional 21 or 22 meals a month!

There are free meal options in Milford and all are welcome! Meals are available almost everyday of the week! 

For different locations for different days, please click  here


 

    The MYC and JAG Monthly Newsletter will be e-mailed at the beginning of every month. If you would like to have something placed in the newsletter please e-mail Jen Ward, at jward@milfordyouthcenter.net.

August 8, 2016
In This Issue
MYC Job Opportunities
SCI AmeriCorps Position
After School Program
State Funding
Summer Camp Update
Summer Camp Thank you's
Summer Food Program
Jays Classic Basketball Tourney
Thank You Milford Area Chamber of Commerce & Celebrate Milford
Summer Camp Scholarships
Adopt a room and/or furniture
Business AD Space at MYC
TDA
CHNA 6 Updates
Community Impact
Free Community Meals

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Juvenile Advocacy Group (JAG) mission  is to work with its community partners to bring resources together to prevent substance abuse and address other emerging needs in the community. The Massachusetts communities included in JAG's service area are the towns of Milford, Bellingham and Hopedale. Through JAG's programs and services youth and their families are able to gain the information and resources to help live and lead healthier lives.  For more information, click here.

Milford Youth Center (MYC) mission  is to provide a safe environment that promotes self esteem, builds character, and fosters the notion of community and the importance of respecting and serving others. For more information, click here.

The  MYC & JAG work together to provide resources and opportunities for youth to make healthy decisions. The MYC & JAG have worked to provide local youth with the necessary activities and events that help them develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally through their childhood years. By providing Milford youth with these types of programs and a safe environment during the after school hours and during our monthly events, we hope to address adolescent risk factors as well as promoting the partnership among community members to ensure a comprehensive vision and plan for the health of the youth in the town of Milford.

Juvenile Advocacy Group:  communityimpactinc@gmail.com
phone: 508.422.0242 
web: http://www.JAGnetwork.org


Milford Youth Center:  milfordyouthcenter@comcast.net
phone: 508.473.1756
web: http://milfordyouthcenter.net/