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North Reading Youth Services

What We Do

Youth Group meets weekly, year round, to discuss teen issues, plan events and workshops and work on leadership skills and team building.

Mentoring matches high school aged youth with elementary school participants who work together once a week on educational and social skills. Mentoring is co-sponsored with Flint Memorial Library.

Community Service Opportunities have included serving food to those in need at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, the Veteran's Day Ceremony, cleaning the North Reading Food Pantry, Global Youth Service Day and the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Youth Services strives to provide meaningful community service opportunities for young people. We encourage families to volunteer together! Teens are able to obtain credit for hours served for the high school history requirements, confirmation requirements and police mandated requirements.

Gay-Straight Alliance is a group that provides a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, questioning youth and their straight allies. During our meetings we address questions about LGBTQ topics, oppression, raise awareness with national campaigns and more. We meet bi-weekly on Thursday evenings and it is only open to high school students.

Support Services for Youth & Families are not just for "at risk" youth, we serve all children and families of the community. We believe that every child will have issues in their lifetime that they may need resources to help them to better understand or work through. We are here to help. Youth Services has provided support to young people for a number of issues including academic & behavioral problems, anger management, depression, substance abuse, legal issues, health insurance issues, helping to find tutors, counselors or support. Youth Services has also acted as an interface between state agencies such as CHINS (Child in Need of Services) and DCF (Department of Children & Families) to ensure families receive all of the outside support available to them. The Youth Services Director also acts as a liaison to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office with youth that require community service hours through the Diversion program.

Educational Programs ranging from speaking with Boy Scout troops to going into school health classes, from bringing guest speakers into town to leading bullying book discussions. Youth Services has developed a partnership with the schools and the police department to provide guidance to teens and families on alcohol/drug prevention, sexual health issues, bullying, school violence and promoting teens to make good decisions. The Youth Services Director is also a member of the Parent Advisory Council to the Superintendant as well as the district wide task force, Public Awareness and Understanding of Social/Emotional Education (PAUSE).

Teen Workshops are typically held twice per month during the school year, these workshops are focused on self confidence and self esteem building. Workshops are offered free of charge and are derived from a list from the youth, based on what they are interested in. Examples have been urban art, martial arts, film making and editing, vocal performance and the college essay to name just a few.

Weekend and Vacation Activities have included Battle of the Bands, 5 Wits Espionage, Sky Zone Boston trampoline park, 6 Flags, Movie Nights, Gaming Nights, trips into Boston and more. Youth Services offers year round programs including safe and substance free weekend and vacation fun.