Youth Services is a component of the Town of Orange
Community Services Department.
Both the Connecticut State Department of Education
and the Town of Orange fund Youth Services.
This department offers a variety of services to the local
youth of Orange, which include: Job Bank, Alternative
Activities, Babysitting Classes, Alcohol and Other Drug
Prevention activities, On-Site School Programs, Volunteer
Opportunities, Community Education,
Information and Referrals, Court Community Service, and parent informational classes.
Under the Community Services umbrella is the Youth Services component,
which includes a Job Bank for Orange youth between the ages
of 13 and 16 and classes and outreach programs both at the
Community Center and at Amity Junior High School.
Youth Services provides regular evening activities
for 7th - 8th graders in Orange through its Youth Activity
Program. Youth
Services is a member of the BOW Parenting Initiative, CT Youth Services Association, Planning for Children and Youth Committee, and the
Amity Local Systems Collaborative and does other
collaborative programming with agencies in the BOW
community.
It operates under a Positive Youth Development
philosophy, which believes that the youth who view
themselves as contributing members of those communities of
which they are a part - family, school, peers, and
community - have the greatest potential for becoming
productive adults. Youth
Services supports that philosophy by offering programs and
services that foster acquisition of life skills,
opportunities for application of those skills, and
recognition of success.
Job Bank
A job referral service is available to Orange youth ages 13 to 16. The main objective of the Job Bank is to instill a sense of responsibility and positive work ethic in youth. Members are responsible for contacting residents who request various jobs to be done such as painting, cleaning, party helper, yardwork, snow shoveling, and animal care. Members complete a 30- to 40-minute interview prior to acceptance into the program. Ratings on job performance are kept on each member and often used as a reference for future employment. If you are interested in becoming a member of the job bank, please contact the Youth Services Coordinator at (203) 891-2157.
Babysitting & First Aid
Become a certified babysitter and receive a First Aid certification. A one-session babysitting course is offered several times a year by the Youth Services staff. One of the sessions is presented by the Orange Police and Fire Departments. A diploma will be awarded to all participants who complete the course. Instructional materials, course booklets, and lunch included.
Evening Activities
Activities are offered throughout the year specifically for 7th and 8th graders. Activities include dances, open gym activities, and holiday theme nights. Activities will be added as interests are expressed. To express your interests join the Youth Services Advisory Club, or propose your idea to someone who is already involved. All activities are drug and alcohol free. Also, there is an annual incoming 7th grade picnic to welcome the new students who will attend Amity Middle School.
Youth Services Advisory Club
Do you have ideas for something different to do? If you are, and you do, then you should attend the Youth Services Advisory Club.
Come to meetings, brainstorm ideas, create advertisements, attend events and activities, enjoy refreshments. Meetings are held after school at Amity Middle School.
Intergenerational Tutoring Program
If you are having trouble in Math, English, History, Science, Language Arts, or Study Skills, then this tutoring program is the perfect opportunity for you. Enjoy a snack and a relaxed after-school environment every Thursday from 3 to 5 PM in the Arts and Crafts room (2nd floor) of the Case Memorial Library. The tutors are retired senior citizens from the town of Orange with specialties in education. Any child from 1st to 12th grade is welcome to come and join our program. If you are interested in receiving some extra help with your schoolwork, or even just want to come in and see what we are all about, contact the Youth Services Coordinator at (203) 891-2157, or stop by the Case Memorial Library on a Thursday afternoon between 3 and 5 PM.
Don't be afraid to ask for help!
Do you enjoy art? Do you want to exhibit?
The Orange Youth Art Colony Exhibit Is Looking for Your Great Artwork!
Orange youth, elementary grades through high school, novice to advanced, are provided the opportunity to submit and exhibit a work of art. Orange Youth Services will be looking for artwork, starting in February 2008, in the medium of a painting … a drawing … or a photograph. All artwork, novice and advanced, from elementary through high school, will be represented in the exhibit.
- Parent must sign permission and waiver form to exhibit.
- Media considered will be paintings, drawing, and photography.
- The artwork itself should be no larger than 11x14.
- Works should be mounted or matted, and should not be framed. (Light-weight matting or mounting is the best for hanging works.)
- The artwork will have a "hang time" of approximately 3-4 months. "Home Base" holding site would be HPCC current exhibit. A reception for artsts and parents is scheduled in May at HPCC.
Youth Services also puts out its own newsletter called the Youth Informer. The newsletter features photographs and articles about program activities and incorporates student submissions as well.
Youth Services Advisory Committee
- Peter Boppert
- Bobby Brown
- Robert Catalde
- Sarah Clark
- Liam Ferguson
- Robert Gagne
- Marie Gull
- John Manfreda
- Sharon Stockel
- Richard Sykes
- Toby Zabinski
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