Kick Butts Day
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April 2nd
Celebrate Families with Family Day
Celebrate Families! September 29th
Elementary School
Drug Prevention - Red Ribbon Week
Drug Abuse Prevention
October 23rd - 31st
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© 2008

East Haddam Youth and Family Services is dedicated to inspiring the potential of and promoting the positive and healthy development of youth and families, striving to create and enhance opportunities which advance the quality of life for all youth and families within the community by providing a spectrum of prevention, intervention, and advocacy services.


A Note from the Director, Toni McCabe

We hear a lot about the importance of peers in the lives of our children and youth and the impact that peer pressure can have on the choices they make. Being good parents, we recognize the importance of getting to know our children's friends, networking with other parents, knowing where our children are and whether or not a responsible adult is present when they are in someone else's home. We probably know the right questions to ask, the important conversations to have, the necessary warnings to give and the absolute rules to establish - about drugs, alcohol, sex, driving under the influence, and so on.

But I often wonder about the other influences in our children's lives - the ones that can fall under the "parental radar." Technology has given our children incredible access -- there's a lot of information out there about the dangers of the internet and the impact of the lyrics in the music so we're probably at least aware of those. But how often do we take a critical look at the television. Should we be paying more attention to the hype around the use of alcohol or the number of times alcohol shows up on the screen either through commercials or regular programs? Should we be more worried about how the use of alcohol is tied in with sexuality, popularity, social success and fun?

Should we question the impact of the constant message that there are drugs that can take care of almost anything, almost immediately? Should we be concerned that our children are growing up in a society that expects immediate relief?

And finally, what should we think about the "reality" shows our children watch -- the ones that glorify physical beauty, self-indulgent behavior and shallow relationships among groups of young adult men and women? Do we want our children to think of that as reality? I often wonder . . .

Welcome!

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Julie Yale to the staff of EHYFS. Julie has been hired to coordinate the Developmental Assets Mini-Grant program described below:

Through funding provided by the Midddlesex United Way, East Haddam Youth and Family Services has $500.00 mini-grants available for local faith, civic and other organizations that are interested in developing adult-youth partnerships.

For information please contact Julie Yale at (860) 691-2466.

We are also pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Darin D'Amaddio, LCSW. Darin will be providing counseling services for youth and families beginning in January.

Thank you!

Assets in Action - Youth Making a Difference

Teens in Action, our Middle School community service team, who launched a very successful coat drive this past December, collecting about 300 coats and jackets for our clothing bank.

The members of the Middle School Select Chorus who volunteered their help and their talent for this year's Children's Night on Moodus Green.

The Teen Night committee that plans and runs our monthly youth-adult jam nights.

Individual young people who volunteered their time to run after-school programs, help with Children's Night on Moodus Green or at EHYFS: Stephen Hart, Ryan Leary, Anthony Shuttler, Natalie Davoodi, Kevin Moffat, Sarah and Leah Chasser.

Christmas Campaign 2007

Staff and board of directions of EHYFS would like to acknowledge and thank the generosity of all who made donations to this year's Christmas Campaign or who volunteered their time to help organize, collect and distribute Christmas gifts. Through their efforts we were able to provide Christmas gift for 43 families and 113 children and youth.

Volunteers and Donations

On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors, I would like to thank all who have volunteered their time or responded to our annual appeal. We appreciate your continued help and support.

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