Programs

All of the Manchester Youth Service Bureau Activities/Programs are free to Manchester Youth.

Take a look at our Monthly Activity/Program Calendar

Strengthening Families

Strengthening families is a parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum designed to help parents/caregivers learn nurturing skills that support their children, teach parents/caregivers how to effectively discipline their youth, give youth a healthy future orientation and an increased appreciation for their parents/ caregivers, and teach youth skills for dealing with stess and peer pressure.

Boyz To Men

Boyz to Men is a site based enrichment program designedc to provide support to a young man between the ages of 14 and 18 who can benefit from guidance, friendship, and life experience of an adult mentor. Youth will be exposed to positive activities such as college tours, cultural events, as welll as other fun activities and trips.

Project Success

Project Success is a program to aid identified you in developing life and social skill. The goal of Project Success is to promote positive youth developmejnt in all of the individuals enrolled in the program.

Peer Advocate Team

" Peer Advocates are informed support people for their friends, peers and the community"

Diversion Program

Diversion is a means to prevent youth who commit minor, first-time criminal offenses from being referred to Juvenile Court. A youth service coordinator meets with the youth and the youth's family, and they implement a plan designed to improve the youth's social and life skills, make restitution to the community, and address other needs the family may have.

Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Team

The Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Team is a program that offers screening, education and referrals for children engaging in fire setting behavior. This program is for all ages. The team collaborative effort between the Manchester Youth Service Bureau, the Manchester Youth Service Bureau, The Manchester Police department, Manchester Fire Rescue EMS and the Community Child Guidance Clinic of Manchester, Inc.

Community Service Program

The purpose of the Community Service Program is to provide youth with opportunities to be exposed to an environment in which they can contribute positively. While they experience rewards that will foster a sense of heightened self-esteem and accomplishment.

Rent-a-Teen

The Rent-a-Teen Program is designed to link responsible, ambitious youth between the ages of 14 & 15 with community residents in need of assistance around the home. Its purpose is to serve as a first time work expereince for youth who are not old enough for employment. It is the practice of Rent-a-Teen to place priority on residents who are on a fixed income or who are physically challenged.

Jobs (Work Readiness) Services

The JOBS services are a designed to prepare youth for the world of work. The workshops include the following topics; employer expectations, work ethics, resume writing, application completion, interviewing skills, and tips to landing and ultimately keeping a job.

Transition to Adulthood

The program is called Transition to Adulthood.  It was designed to help bridge the gap of graduation from high school and life in the “real world.” For eighteen weeks, youth will participate in an intensive Career/Education Exploration and Work Readiness Program. During our time together we will review concepts that would enable him/ her to have insight into the world of work. We will cover topics including but not limited to: resumes writing, application completion, interviewing skills, employer expectations, tips to finding a job, time management, working with deadlines, working within a team, and effective communication.

LINCS (Tutoring Program)

The LINCS tutoring program is designed to provide youth with educationa assistance in a supportive environment. The program coordinator creates a working relationship between the student,parent, and tutor to ensure the youth is progressing. the student meeet with tutors during scheduled aster school sessions in our office with qualified volunteers that are high schol, college students, retiress and other dedicated adults.

Special Events

Each year the Manchester Youth Service Bureau sponsors several events and trips benefiting on average 450 Manchester young residents. We work hard to provide events and trips that uphold our Positive Youth Development philosophy providing team building and leadership events and trips as well as social and cultural trips. All the events and trips are free to the public. (i.e.) 3 on 3 Super Slam Basketball Tournament, teen night, Snow Day/ Circus Day,and Whale Watch.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Urban Expedition(Connecticut Youth Services Association 2006 Program of the Year)

Urban Expedition is a week long program opened to 15 youth in Manchester. Each day the group explores the town they live in. The intention is to give participants a Positive Youth Development experience. the program is designed so that participants learn about their community as a resourceful and exciting place to be.

Girls Power Week Plus Program

During Summer Girls Power Plus Week middle school aged girls are invited to a week of empowering activities, including a white-water rafting trip, games & speakers.

Boyz Black Belts Week

The Boys Black Belts Week is a week-long enrichment program that deals with the issues young men face while coming of age through fun and challenging activities, trips, and guest speakers. We had a visit from the Manchester Police Departments’ K-9 unit, went to the Air Museum and the Basketball Hall of Fame. We also tackled the Manchester Ropes Course and White Water Rapids in Deerfield, MA.

Other Opportunities at the Youth Service Bureau

Internships

The Youth Service Bureau strongly supports individuals who wish to develop a clearer picture of possible career paths. Through hands-on projects our interns gain confidence, valuable career-related experience, and professional contacts for the future.

Volunteers

The Manchester Youth Service Bureau is a community-based youth serving agency that provides a variety of no-cost programs and services using a personal approach, facilitated by dedicated staff, for the purpose of helping to develop responsible individuals who make positive contributions to the community.