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The Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau is a program of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA
With goals to assist young people and their families through difficult life experiences; to help improve the quality of life of our constituents; to facilitate families in conflict resolution; to assist families involved in the juvenile justice system; to increase awareness of substance abuse to young people; to keep children safe and to enhance our communities, the Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau provides services to the youth of Torrington, Harwinton, Burlington, Litchfield, and Goshen.
Our Mission
The Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau seeks to: Provide programs which address the needs of youth and their families. Develop and implement educational/social activities that prevent delinquency and strengthen families. Coordinate special projects that promote positive youth development.
How to Help:
As a non-profit agency, we appreciate any and all support from our community to continue to provide our services at no cost to our neighbors in need.
Donations:
All donations are used to fund programs to address the needs of youth and their families, develop and implement educational/social activities that prevent delinquency and strengthen families, and coordinate special projects that promote positive youth development.
Please contact Cathy Ohm at 860-496-0356 X7, [email protected].
Toy/Clothing Drive:
Our annual toy and clothing drive starts at the end of September and continues until Christmas. The Torrington Youth Service Bureau collects names, ages, and wish lists from youth throughout the area who come from needy families or are in foster care. Anyone interested can call our office to obtain the name, or several names, of needy youth to donate a specific gift to. Last year, with the help of the community, we were able to distribute over 1,500 gifts to area youth.
Community Based Life Skills Program
This program incorporates classroom instruction, hands on activities within the community, and individual counseling to teach needed life skills. The curriculum incorporates basic education skills, daily living skills, socialization, self-awareness, and pre-employment skills. This service is the only resource in the area that addresses the unique issues youth in foster care face as they transition into independence.
Community Service Program
Through a strong working relationship with Juvenile Court the YSB receives referrals to aid adjudicated youth in finding or creating community service projects to meet the demands of their probation.
Juvenile Review Board
A diversion program that is offered to first time offending youth who commit a misdemeanor or have been truant from school, or beyond control at home. This program is a joint effort between Court staff, the Torrington Police Department, the Torrington Public School system, and various community agencies. The goal is to have the youth learn from their mistakes and ultimately prevent court involvement.
Outreach Program
Our outreach program serves as a non-threatening, highly accessible service for youth and families in need of counseling, as a free short-term service. We are able to meet with youth/families at our office location, at their school, or in their home, depending on the need. Counseling goals are set and referrals for more intensive treatment options are made as need arises. We also offer therapeutic groups in schools during students’ free periods and lunch times. We serve youth from kindergarten through high school.
School Support Groups
The Youth Service Bureau Direct Service staff facilitated 20 various in-school groups, from lunch bunches (social skills development), to peacemaking groups and after school programs for Harwinton, Torrington and Burlington youth.
Torrington LIST (Local Interagency ServiceTeam)
The purpose of the LIST is to be a resource to the community, court-district and local DCF office specifically relating to juvenile justice issues within our region.
Safe Harbor Youth
Safe Harbor is a satellite office of TAYSB located in Harwinton.
Our History
Safe Harbor was established in August of 2012. The founding members were Ted Shafer, Michael Criss, Tom Donaldson, Matthew Disorbo, Sinclair Bush, Angie O’Donnell, Emily Breakell, Seth Kellogg, and Hannah Doyle.
Services
Counseling, skill building and support groups, Juvenile Review Board, Summer Youth Employment Program, Community Based Life Skills/Mentor program, Positive Youth Development Programs.
Goals
To build a teen center, host events which benefit teens, to reach out to those who are in need of assistance, and build a strong community with teens.
Current Members
Matthew Disorbo, Sinclair Bush, Angie O’Donnell, Emily Breakell, Seth Kellogg, Hannah Doyle.
Community Conversation About Education
A community conversation was held on February 28th at Lewis Mills High School. Below is a summary of the discussion.
For more information on Safe Harbor Youth Services, visit our websites:
http://safeharborbh.webs.com/ and http://www.harwinton.us/safe-harbor-youth-service
PO Box 66
100 Bentley Drive
Harwinton, CT 06791
For referral, assistance, or additional information:
call (860) 485-9051 Ext. 110, fax (860) 482-3084, e-mail: [email protected]