Youth Services and Advocacy
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.”
The Youth Advocate Program (YAP) organizes the core of the many services that the Council supports including but not limited to the many educational and prevention programs in the schools and the community, after-school recreational activities, Homework Help, counseling, Safe Rides, Help-a-Child, and Food Pantry. The bulk of the programs are held at the James V. Harmon Community Center. Special programs and activities are hosted throughout the year and are announced by mail, email, flyers and/or WHoH-TV, Channel 75. Some of these activities are: movies, Pool Yap, Friday Night YAP, homework help, game tournaments, school vacation activities, field trips and more. All activities are supervised by Youth Advocate Staff. The Youth Advocate Program is partially funded through a grant from New York State OASAS (Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services) and the Village of Hastings.
The Youth Advocate Program also began the distribution of a newsletter in June 2013. This provides those who are subscribed (approx. 2000) to the village email server with information about teen drug use trends, drug information, signs and symptoms of use and parenting tips. You may subscribe to the newsletter here.
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Jo Ann Reed
Director of Youth Services
Youth Advocate Office: 914-478-2471
Jo Ann's Direct Phone: 914-478-3400 X647
e-mail: jreed@hastingsgov.org
James V. Harmon Community Center
44 Main St. Hastings, NY 10706
Hours
Mon - Thurs 9:00AM - 7:00PM
Fri 9:00AM - 10:00PM
Sat 12:00PM - 7:00PM
Vernal Ford
Youth Advocate
Youth Advocate Office: 914-478-2471
Vernal's Direct Phone: 914-478-3400 X646
e-mail: vford@hastingsgov.org
Recreational Activities
After-school, Seasonal, Special Programs
Every weekday after school, the youth of the Village are invited to come to the Community Center to partake in many recreational activities ranging from pool to foosball to cooking and exercise classes. or to just hang out with friends in a safe and supportive environment.
Educational and Prevention Programs
Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Antibullying Educational Programs
The Youth Services Director and Youth Advocate conduct educational and prevention programs that address substance abuse, making healthy choices, creating healthy relationships and making good life choices.
Homework Help
English as a Second Language and Daily Academic Help
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program is conducted weekly at the Community Center. Students of all grades whose primary language is not English are paired with a tutor (adult or older student). This program runs the entire school year and services 15 students as well as providing volunteer opportunities for approximately 10 high school students. Snacks are provided by the youth advocate program. The volunteers and students are coordinated by the youth advocate staff.
Individual and Family Counseling
Counseling by Professional Staff
The Youth Advocate Program is available to needy individuals and families for individual and/or group counseling. Sometimes, people find themselves in difficult situations in which they need outside assistance to help solve acute problems. The Youth Services' professional staff members will attempt to provide an initial assessment and will recommend outside support services if necessary.