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Westport-Weston United Way
489 Post Rd. E
Westport, CT 06881
203-227-1743
203-226-4705 (FAX)
united.way.westport@snet.net
Positive Youth Development
Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a unique partnership of the Westport’s PTA’s (parents), United Way, Westport Schools, Department of Human Services and Positive Directions. Its mission is to promote the positive development of children and youth in their families, in their schools, among their peers, and in their communities. A Little History: PYD began in 1996, as a result of several factors including two town-wide forums focusing on youth issues which were organized and sponsored by the United Way, the First Selectmen’s (Arcudi Administration) Blue Ribbon Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention, Westport Schools’ focus on the needs of children (including the social and emotional) and recommendations from the Westport Youth Commission. All constituents were in agreement: the focus on improving the health and safety of our children through a comprehensive philosophical approach on preventing youth problems, rather than correcting them after the fact is of paramount importance. Thus, Positive Youth Development became Westport’s way to encourage positive youth programs already in existence, as well as working together to develop new programs which focus on parenting education and networking, middle school programs, safe places to gather, youth volunteerism, mentoring and youth leadership development. Some examples of new programs which were created out of these discussions include Toquet Hall, Suniya Luthar’s research and lecture series, Father Forums, School Psychologists Meetings, ParentConnect and Risky Behavior Forums. In addition, the Mentor Program, the Community Service Corps (formerly the Service Learning Club), the Staples Student Outreach Counselor and Youth Commission all fall under the Positive Youth Development (PYD) umbrella. Specific programs developed by PYD have been funded so far by the United Way and grants from other agencies or organizations. Of course, other Westport programs which fall under the PYD umbrella but which are not PYD-developed, have their own sources of funding. But all Westport/Weston programs which agree philosophically with the positive development of youth fall under the umbrella of Positive Youth Development. The Parent Resource Committee meets under the leadership of Lynne Shain, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Barbara Butler, Westport’s Director of Human Services, Marjolijn Wijsenbeek, Executive Director Westport/Weston United Way and Marty Hauhuth, Executive Director of Positive Directions. A representative from the PTA Council, a Parent Education Coordinator, and at least two representatives from each school are part of the Committee which has been meeting monthly for several years now. The Parent Resource Committee, along with the Community Resource Committee, Community Mental Health Professionals, School Psychologist and Guidance Staff and PTA meeting are the current sources of issue development, feedback and program refinement. 2007- 08 School PYD Representatives PTA COUNCIL:
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LLS: CMS:
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