Youth Services is celebrating 50 year of building community in Windham County on October 7, during Brattleboro's Gallery Walk.

The birthday celebration in the Brooks House Atrium from 5-7 p.m will be an opportunity to reconnect with others who contributed to the organization's success.

According to organizers, it will be a chance for former and current staff, volunteers, and clients and the general public to learn more about Youth Services today, toast the next 50 years and enjoy a slice of birthday cake.

Youth Services was founded in 1972 by concerned community members, to help young people and families in Windham County thrive. Since then Youth Services have helped countless numbers of young people discover their own path to adulthood and provided support for families while they developed the tools they need to address loss, trauma, substance abuse and economic hardships.

According to Executive Director, Bradbury-Carlin, Youth Services programs are always evolving with the changing needs of the community.

"Our staff take pride in experimenting with new approaches and our local fundraising and corporate sponsorship program allow us to respond quicker to the changing landscape than if we were a state human services agency. We fill the holes in the safety net in our county, rather than duplicate services," Bradbury-Carlin explained.

Over the last 50 years , Youth Services have targeted runaway and homeless youth; youth transitioning out of foster care; mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters; substance abuse prevention counselors embedded in all Windham County high schools; individual and family counseling; young mom's support groups; intensive family-based services for those in danger of losing their children to state custody; clinical services; and restorative justice programs such as court diversion, as well as efforts to improve school attendance and reduce youth involvement in the justice system.

Innovations in the last five years include Demo Graphix, a youth-led screen-printing business; Friends For Change, a summer camp and after-school program in Bellows Falls; Work Today, an on-demand employment service for people living in difficult circumstances, and a merger with the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, expanding the range of programs offered and clients served.

Despite the wide variety of programming, building relationships are at the core of everything Youth Services does, stated Bradbury-Carlin.

To learn how you can get involved, contact info@youthservicesinc.org or call (802) 257-0361.

Event Info

Nov 13, 2024, 4 to 5 PM

Nov 16, 2024, 7:30 PM

Nov 19, 2024, 12:30 to 1:30 PM