We can’t believe we have already reached July! We ended the 10-month, free After-School program, with over 630 registered members! On Friday June 16th everyone at the MYC celebrated the year with a massive party! Over 120 members enjoyed a water slide, bounce house, face paint, games, snow cones, raffles, goodie bags, youth superlatives and our senior staff send off! Even though we are sad to see our members go for the summer, it is time to prepare for Summer Camp!

This was our first year running our Life Skills program in honor of our former board member Ron Taylor. The Life Skills program is meant to teach our youth skills that can carry them into their adult years. This year, we have had Automotive, Police and Fire Safety, Drug Prevention, CPR, Woodworking, Cyber Safety, the Army National Guard and Financial Literacy. All have been so informative, helpful, and successful. Some health and fitness programs, in collaboration with Milford Regional Medical Center, were FitFun with Carly, Nutrition with Nadine of Connected and Inspired, Basketball Skills and Fitness with Coach Aaron Anniballi! Youth also enjoyed soccer, volleyball, pickleball, four-square and more! We have had Linda of Give Kids the Arts who lead amazing art programs. David of Wayside MetroWest Community Services taught a learn- to- draw with iPad program. Mishelle of Milford TV taught the kids in the program how to use the equipment, interview skills and wrapped up with green-screen time. Phyllis with her team from the Green Leaf Gardening Club did monthly projects and will be continuing to help maintain our garden beds and indoor garden tower. Sam with the Milford Town Library has done an amazing job in her weekly book club. Brian Bell has been consistent in his weekly boxing program with the help of Victor Canino. Mindy has taught the kids in the knitting program the basics with new tricks! Dr. Gilmore has been teaching fishing skills weekly in the warmer months. Iliana, our part time staff has created and accomplished our first dance program, their routine was performed at the party on June 16th! Iliana has also taken on Youth Council, a leadership and community service-based group, created to encourage MYC members to help make a difference in the community through facilitating several youth community events as well as taking part in volunteer opportunities! And finally, Iliana has taken on and completed the Social Emotional program, which is also new this year designed to help our youth learn about and manage their emotions and interactions with others and build the core social and emotional competencies including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills need to succeed in school and thrive in life. Part time staff, Jason has kicked off our first Putting Golf Challenge using donated putting greens which help determine how many putts are allowed per first shot! March Madness was a tremendous success with 77 participants, 6 team games, a VIP Players vs. Staff game, and a 3 Point Contest! It has been an immense pleasure for the MYC staff to have coordinated and completed original programs, original programs with additives and brand-new programs! 

This school year we have had many new volunteers and the pleasure of meeting new volunteers. The Milford Youth Center values, respects and admires our volunteers. The following is a list of volunteers who have run a specific program or helped in the after-school program. We’d like to thank Phyllis Foley, Dean Paul, David Abrantes, Earl Wilson, Judy Tusino, Frances Stone, Derek Stienstra, Sue-Ellen Szynmanski, Josh Shuman, Ellie Poitras, Christine Mancine, Tyler Litchfield, Bryne Kirwin, Mindy Katz, Linda, Isabella and Ian Katz, Gennevieve Arajo, Gail Jussuame, Pedro Herpin-Hernandez, Dr. Gilmore, Chrissy Ferrucci, John and Darlene Dulude, Nadine Clifford, Dorothy Burkley, James Brevigleiri, Aaron Anniballi, Pyper Bourne, Brian Bell, Ron Auger and Victor Canino. Together, our amazing volunteers have given over 700 hours to the youth at the Milford Youth Center. We are humbled by your generosity. We cannot wait to collaborate with you again in the Fall! 

Among the after-school programs, there are specific leaders who have come to the Youth Center to provide a lesson in their expertise. Among these outside service members there are, Sam Cesario, Carly Fauth, Aaron Anniballi, Amanda Aleman, David Sebastian, Hope Rudzinski, Mishelle Hebshie, Noah Amatucci, Hope Rudzinski, Julie Nonnie, Milford Police Department, Milford Fire Department, and Alisha Harrison. 

We also want to extend a big thank you to our part-time staff; Iliana, Ciana, Julya, Julia, Ingrid, Guy, Nikko, Ashlynn, Landon, Adrianna, Lauren, Brian, Jason, Josh, Te’Vaughn, Nick and Caitlin. You are all valued as individuals, in your work ethic, your love for the children and for the Youth Center. Your hard work and dedication are what helps us to make the after-school program possible. For that, we thank you. To our graduating senior staff, Lauren, Ashlynn, Landon, Nikko and Guy, congratulations, we wish you all health and happiness and great adventure ahead. We look forward to collaborating with you this summer and await your college vacations for your return!