Highlights of YCS Advancements & Successes


It has been over a year since we've shared with you all the news at YCS. We've been itching to keep you abreast of all our accomplishments, but have not wanted to inundate your inboxes with one message a a time.  So, we've waited till we could put in print a landscape of progress that includes new programs, individual accomplishments and highlights of our foundation's events. Thanks for taking a few moments to catch up with us.  As always, we appreciate your input and support for our children.
Richard Mingoia
President and CEO
The theme for the 2016  YCS Annual Meeting was

Look How Far We've Come

One of the evening's highlights was a performance by Roland Bosch, a former Sawtelle student. 


Watching Our Children Shine











Shivonne blushed with pride as she was congratulated by N.J.S. Senate President, Stephen Sweeney (r) for her achievements as a writer and vocational center employee. Shivonne resides at a YCS home and was one of 48 recipients of the Community Stars Award at the NJACP's 17th Annual Dinner.

Giddy up!  Girl from a YCS home enjoyed an  afternoon at a horse farm and had fun learning a new sport. Equine Therapy (horseback riding) has many benefits for children with special need. It  enhances their  physical, emotional, and cognitive skills.

Katerina loved the yoga classes at a YCS residence. She says, "A lot of us in the program have anger problems...Yoga helps us stay calm."  Katerina has gotten so good that she is now sharing what she has learned with other teens at a new group home, and is considering a career as a yoga instructor.

Thank You!

YCS opens its first home for young adults affected by developmental disabilities and autism in Princeton. The event was attended by many state, local officials and welcoming neighbors. 
New Sawtelle Homes bring help to families
 in their communities 
17 children and young adults affected by autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities have a place to call home thanks to YCS' rigorous efforts to open six new private single family homes across the state.

*  Sawtelle Home - Denville
*  Sawtelle Home - Princeton
*  Sawtelle Home - Buena Vista -  for medically fragile young adults
*  Crisis Stabilization Assessment Program - Temporary emergency therapeutic residential care for children 

On the Horizon

*  Sawtelle Homes in North Vale, Middlesex, and Willingsboro  by the end of the year.

*  A new Crisis Stabilization Assessment Program, in Teaneck will provide temporary therapeutic services for 5 children in the northern region.

Thanks to all the generous contributors who helped us match a $50,000 challenge grant by the Laurie Foundation, we are now looking to purchase a new Sawtelle Home in the greater Edison for 4 young men.

YCS Program Achievements in 2016
 
The YCS Home Care Program for children and young adults affected by developmental disabilities and mental illness has nearly doubled the number of families it serves. To date they have helped 278 families.
 
Life Choices Fetal Alcohol Prevention Program successfully completed its first year of operations.  The program reached 238 young women and men and was renewed by the the state for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
 
YCS has been able to hire a yoga instructor and an art therapist to provide ancillary therapies for youth at several of our residential programs. 
 
Three YCS schools have once again been acknowledged as schools of excellence by NASCET - The National Association of Special Education Teachers.
 
Our Paul Moore Haven STAR program in Jersey City has successfully been relocated to a modern spacious facility in Bridgewater for 15 teens.
 
Sawtelle Summer Enrichment Program was a resounding success. Enrollment increased from 25 to 68 participants.


Are you ready for a night on the town!

Our fundraising events help us raise critical resources for all the additional services and activities that improve the children's quality of life and heal from past traumas   In 2016, with the help of YCS supporters, we hosted a Casino Night, Gerry Cooney Fight Night and the Fore the Kids Golf Outing.   But the year is not over yet.   And, we'd like to invite you to our most important fundraiser. 

Showcase of chefs and gourmet wine tasting
Monday, November 14th
Park Ridge Marriott