Jen Ward's blog
About the Milford Youth Center
The Milford Youth Center has become the focal point for the children of Milford. It hosts many different activities and many children visit throughout the year. The children of Milford have come to depend on the Youth Center to provide them with the necessary activities and events that help them develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally through their childhood years.
We are an afterschool program for youth ages 8-18 in the Milford community opened from 2-6 pm Monday through Friday. All programs at the Youth Center are free of charge.
Located at 24 Pearl St. Milford, MA 01757
See attachments for all Milford Youth Center forms and registration information
New Years "Find Yourself Friday" Event a Success!
Over 140 youth attended the first "Find Yourself Friday" youth event of the new year! This event was held at the Milford Youth Center on Friday, January 27th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM and included music, dancing, games and a special New Year's Ball Drop!
The JAG Youth Council decided to host this event to show their support for the Milford Play Initiative. The small entrance fee will go towards purchasing a piece of playground equipment for the new playground to be built at Fino Field. There will be a dedication on the equipment to the Milford Youth Center and JAG Youth Council!
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event including The Juvenile Advocacy Group, JAG Youth Council, the Milford Youth Center, CHNA-6, United Way of Tri-County, Hannafords of Milford, , Milford High School Art Honor Society and to the many volunteers!
Funding for "Find Yourself Fridays" is supported by the United Way of Tri-County Youth Venture Program and CHNA-6. We would like to especially thank CHNA-6 for renewing our grant, allowing us to continue our "Find Yourself Friday" events!
Click here for more photos of event!
Are you dealing with your parent’s separating or divorcing? Are you between the ages of 7 and 12? Do you want to talk to others going through the same things? If so, 
MYC After School December Calendar!
To open PDF Please click here.
Help Support YMCA's Healthy Futures Initiative
There are some great ways to support the Hockomock YMCA Healthy Futures Initiatives! Make your way to Whole Foods in Bellingham on December 5th to take part in 5% Day. 5% of all sales will benefit this initiative! There are also activities scheduled thoughout the day:
· 10 AM: Art, Book, Cook ages 2-5
· 10:30 AM: Itty Bitty Chef ages 2-4
· 11:00 AM: Munchkin Craft ages 2-5
· 11:30 AM: Mommy & Me Music ages 1-4
Activities from 10 - 12 PM are free but require registration. Email LaurenM@hockymca.org to reserve a spot!
· 12 - 2 PM: Convenience meets health - bring in your grocery list and we will shop while you enjoy lunch from the prepared foods department. Free * You must purchase your own lunch.
· 6 -8 PM: Elegant Evening with Ming Tsai
* Features massage therapists, healers, make-overs, wine and cheese tastings, and an appearance by Ming Tsai to sign his books.
For more information, click here.
Help Support the Milford Play Initiative
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The front end loader (image to the left) has been sold to the Slattery family in memory of James "Slatts" Slattery. A plaque will be put on the loader in his memory!
If you are interested in purchasing a item in support of the Milford Playground to be built at Fino Field please email Tamara Palmer.
The next Milford Play Initiative meeting on Monday, December 19th at 1PM at the Milford Town Library.
You can also make a tax deductible donation to the Milford Play Initiative by clicking here.
Over 100 Youth and Families attend Thanksgiving Dinner and Youth Dance Event!
Over 100 youth attended the third "Find Yourself Friday" youth event of the new school year! This event was held at the Milford Youth Center on Friday, November 18th from 6:30 – 9:30 PM and included music, dancing, games and a special Thanksgiving Dinner!
The JAG Youth Council decided to host this event to show their support for their community during the Holiday season by having a small Family Thanksgiving Dinner and a collection for the Milford Daily Bread Food Pantry. The JAG Youth Council, with their parent organization, the Juvenile Advocacy Group, also worked together to promote the importance of building Developmental Assets to help improve the lives of our children and the community as a whole. Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event including The Juvenile Advocacy Group, JAG Youth Council, the Milford Youth Center, CHNA-6, United Way of Tri-County, Hannafords of Milford, 495 Rental, Bugaboo Creek of Milford, Subway of Milford, Gene’s Variety, Sams Club of Worcester, Milford High School Art Honor Society and National Honor Society and to the many volunteers!
For more information, or if you would like to volunteer at the next event, scheduled for Friday, January 27th , please contact Youth Council Coordinator Jen Ward at jenward24@gmail.com or 508-473-1756.
Funding for "Find Yourself Fridays" is supported by the United Way of Tri-County Youth Venture Program and CHNA-6.
The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey Shows Positive Changes in Underage Drinking
The MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey (MWAHS) is an initiative of the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation to support community efforts to improve the health of youth in the region. Since 2006, middle and high schools across the region have administered surveys every other year to monitor trends in health and risk behaviors at the local and regional levels. In Milford, the 2010 MWAHS was administered to middle school students in grades 7 and 8 and high school students in grades 9 through 12.
The survey of Milford High School students revealed that lifetime alcohol use has decreased between 2006 and 2010 from 67.3% to 55%. Current alcohol use is also down from 38.5% to 29.7%. Reports also show that binge drinking has decreased from 21.7% to 16.9%, and riding in a driver who has been drinking has decreased from 24.4% to 21.7%.
The survey also revealed that fewer Milford Middle School students are starting to drink alcohol. In 2010 20% of youth reported drinking in their lifetime, which is a decrease from 28% in 2006. The decline in alcohol use is notable among males, with reported lifetime use decreased from 35% in 2006 to 17% in 2010. Females remained the same at 23% between 2006 and 2010. Despite the decrease in alcohol use, reports of riding with a driver who had been drinking have increased from 22% in 2006 to 26% in 2010.
For Milford PATCH article, click here.
For Milford Daily News article, click here.
MYC November After School Calendar
The Center is open from after school till 6pm, Monday thru Friday and from 10am till 5pm on half days.
Our game room is open with pool, foosball, air hockey and WII Entertainment. Homework room is running and the gym is active with soccer, football, basketball, ping pong, 4 -Square and volleyball.
Mark your calendars for two exciting events at the Youth Center. On Friday, November 18th from 6:30-9:30 PM we will be having our 3rd "Find Yourself Friday" Youth event! On Sunday, December 4th we will also be hosting our 3rd Annual Jingle Bell Jamboree before the Milford Santa parade. If you are interested in volunteering at either of these events or during our after school program please email: milfordyouthcenter@comcast.net or call 508-473-1756.
