Weston Parks and RecreationCurrent program details HERE including a Saturday morning Capture the Flag starting in January and WIS FIT SPORTS on winter Wednesdays.
Weston Youth Services WOW! has limited space remaining in Winter session after school enrichment programs at HES, WIS, and WMS. Registration and information at Westonyouthservices.org
Free parent/child program, for parents of 0-2 year olds, St. Francis Church in Weston on Mondays, 9:15-10:15 AM. Open to all, space limited, registration required: Call 203-454-8645
Weston Youth Services Youth Mini Grant applications are available to Middle and High school students to apply for funding for youth-initiated and youth-led projects. Details and application are available at Westonyouthservices.org
ADAP’s Youth Wellness Council (YWC) for 2019 – 2020: ADAP's YWC offers MS and HS students a safe place outside of school to talk with peers about life's challenges They meet once a month on Mondays at the Weston Public Library, facilitated by Tim Walsh (More about Tim Walsh HERE) and more about the program details HERE. For more info, talk to any ADAP member or westonadapylc@gmail.com
Programs for parents
Videos of the Fall 2019 Health and Wellness Seminar Series (Vaping, School Security, and Skill Training for Emotional Problem Solving are available on WPS BOE Youtube
Weston Youth Services:
Helping Your Child With Anxiety, Thursday December 12th, 9:30-10:30 AM, Weston Town Hall Annex. (w/ Laura Cleary, WYS Director). FLYERRegistration requiredHERE (Interested but this is not a good time for you? Let me know because we'll offer it again: lcleary@westonct.gov)
Parent Talk series, every third Wednesday @ Weston Public Library:FLYER December 18th, 11:30-12:30. Topic: Calming & Coping for the Holidays and Beyond, with Laura Cleary, LMSW & Hilary Misiano, Mindful Schools. Open to all parents.RegisterHERE
Save the Date: Tuesday January 7th, 6:30-7:30 PM @ Weston Senior Center: Introduction to NAMI programs for people with mental illness and their families. Open to all, no registration needed. (organized by Weston Social Services & Youth Services.
Free upcoming community/parent programs in the region:
Southfield Center in Darien free parent discussion series: 12/4 at 9:30 AM: My Kid’s Electronic Gaming is Driving Me Crazy! How to Manage Screen Time with psychologists Ethan Rothstein and Dan Glass. For more info: (203) 202-7654. Register HERE
Free and open to all interested adults: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training at Burroughs Community Center in Bridgeport, December 9, 2019 from 9-5pm. Flyer HERE
Alternatives to Opioids for Pain, December 11, 2019, 7 PM @New Canaan YMCA. Details at ncparentsupportgroup.org or call 203-564-6374.
Weston Coalition member updates
Weston Social Services distributed Thanksgiving baskets last week: "Weston Social Services is once again, overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. The time it takes to organize and put together these amazing Thanksgiving baskets for our neighbors is greatly appreciated. Many thanks to Weston Women's League, St. Francis of Assisi, Weston Girl Scouts and Coldwell Banker!" For information about this or other Weston Social Services resources, contact Rose Cruz, rcruz@westonct.gov or Alison lisbon, alisbon@westonct.gov
Weston High School: 26 days of Kindness: "26 Days of Kindness is a Sandy Hook Promise Initiative that WHS is taking on to commemorate the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. Students from Student Government have organized numerous activities during the day for the student body that reflect the "HumanKind: Be Both" motto of the school. All club leaders are encouraged to use their platforms to spread kindness throughout the Weston Community." You can see more of WHS's December 26 days of kindness and other WHS happenings on the WHS instagram
December Resource Spotlight: Finding Support
Circle of Friends of CT offers social experiences and social support for individuals with special needs. The Home with Friends program connects kids w/ special needs with a volunteer teen to come to your home to spend one hour with your child in friendship. There is also a Circle of Friends club at Weston High School, and other social opportunities. Contact Circle of Friends for information or to register for programs: cof@circleoffriendsct.org
Family Centers, Center For Hope in Darien offers multiple grief and loss support groups, including a General Bereavement Group Open to Anyone Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Center for HOPE, 590 Post Road, Darien. Contact Sharon Kutner, LCSW at (203) 655-4693 Visit their website for a list of additional support groups.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI CT) offers support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness and their loved ones."NAMI wants you to know that You Are Not Alone. We offer more than 60 FREE, confidential support groups across the state that are peer-led." Find a list of support groups HEREAND Weston Youth Services and Weston Social Services are sponsoring a NAMI information session at the Weston Senior Center on 1/7/2020 6:30 PM.
Support for LGBTQ people and their allies: 1). Triangle Community Center is home to more than two dozen, free groups that meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly at the center. Groups include peer support, recovery, sober social events and youth groups. 2). PFLAG offers support by hosting monthly meetings welcoming LGBTQ people and their families. he Norwalk Chapter of PFLAG meets second Sunday of every month from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Triangle Community Center located at 618 West Avenue, Norwalk CT. A separate Youth Group is run by the TCC in the room next door. For info: pflagnorwalk@gmail.com.
if you need help finding resources or have questions about the Weston Coalition or this newsletter:
Contact Laura Cleary, Weston Youth Services Director: Lcleary@westonct.gov
