Norwich Youth & Family Services is on a mission to promote the social and emotional health of Norwich youth, families and the community by creating opportunities to engage, educate, and empower all citizens of Norwich. As a part of this mission, they offer free social-emotional and enrichment programming for all ages, from kindergarten through grandparenthood.

Currently, NYFS is collaborating with local elementary, middle and high schools to provide several programs. One program it is currently providing to high school students, titled “4 What’s Next,” was developed by the Jordan Porco Foundation. This program helps students understand that actions they take each day can influence their mental health. Thus far, 25 students have completed this program and a winter session is planned to reach additional students. In several elementary schools, NYFS programming is happening, and includes a peer-mentoring program with high school students in collaboration with NFA’s Project Outreach Program, and several social-emotional programs focused on understanding and managing emotions, learning relaxation methods, empathy, and positive expressions of anger.

Eighty students have participated in the elementary school programming so far this school year.

Programs that are slated to start in the middle school this winter include an LGBTQIA+ social group where students can find support in a safe and structured setting, as well as another collaboration with Project Outreach for peer mentoring with middle school and high school students.

NYFS also has many community-based programs starting in the coming weeks.

Their Move, Meditate and Connect program, with Yoga Instructor and Sound Therapist Rosa Estrella, is designed to help teens create good habits and make healthy choices. In collaboration with NYFS and Vesta Corporation, the New England Science and Sailing Program and the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will be holding programs at Mohegan Commons for approximately 50 elementary and middle school students.

For parents, NYFS will be hosting parent support groups at Mohegan Commons beginning at the end of January. One of these groups is designed specifically for parents with kids that have specialized needs. NYFS will be providing childcare for these groups.

Grandparents raising grandkids is a monthly support group offered through a partnership between NYFS, Senior Resources and the Rose City Senior Center.

In addition to all of this, NYFS provides individual and family counseling with a licensed clinician, as well as mentoring services, at no charge to Norwich residents.

Anyone who is interested in learning more or participating in programming can contact NYFS Coordinator Erin Haggan at (860) 823-3782, Ext. 3484, or by email at ehaggan@cityofnorwich.org.