PROGRAMS
CLINICAL TEAM
Youth & Family Emergency Services (YFES): Provides crisis intervention, housing support, supervised visitations, and counseling for youth ages 6–24 and their families experiencing severe conflict or homelessness, aiming to ensure safety, stability, and healthy family connections
YFES also offers the Closet of Care. A family-friendly, department-store style experience, allowing families to access essential items, such as clothing, food, hygiene items, and other essentials, in a welcoming and respectful environment that preserves dignity while meeting real needs. Closet of Care now serves youth up to age 24 and families with youth up to age 24.
Community Housing Assistance Program & Community Housing Employment Enrichment Program (CHAP/CHEER): In partnership with Department of Children and Families, supports youth aging out of foster care by helping them pursue higher education, find employment, develop life skills, and achieve independence through weekly case management
POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Linking Academics to Life (LAL): A popular afterschool program for high school students offered Monday-Thursday during the academic year, combining core components with four interest-based tracks to support academic success, personal growth, and on-time graduation.
Mentoring: Provides youth with high-quality, one-to-one, same-gender adult volunteers for a minimum of six hours per week over a year, positively impacting personal, social, and academic development.
Youth/SMART Recovery: A weekly supportive group for youth teaching how to have fun and build healthy habits without substance use, based on SMART Recovery principles in partnership with Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA).
YOUTH DIVERSIONARY TEAM
Youth Diversionary Team (YDT): A YDT, formerly known as the Juvenile Review Board (JRB), is a community-based diversion program aimed at keeping youth out of the juvenile justice system by addressing root causes of their behavior and connecting them—and their families—to supportive services that promote long-term success.
Truancy Prevention: Aims to reduce unexcused absences and support academic success through home visits, counseling, referrals, advocacy, and case management for Waterbury Public School students identified as truant.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities Meeting (RED): Our Racial and Ethnic Disparities Group partners with the Center for Children’s Advocacy. Together, we examine disparities affecting youth in the juvenile justice system and work to align efforts and strategies to ensure the system is equitable and just for all youth.
CHILDCARE TEAM
POWER & Incubators: The Support For Self Determination POWER Program is a 26-week, Spanish-language evening course that equips participants with the skills and licenses needed to run a home daycare business, offering onsite childcare, ongoing alumni support, and a graduation ceremony upon completion. The incubator space offers two graduates the opportunity to open and run their daycare on-site with support from Waterbury Youth Service staff.
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (CAC)
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Greater Waterbury is a child-focused, community-based center that provides a trauma-informed, safe, supportive environment for children who have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, witness to violence, domestic minor sex trafficking, and other critical incidents. CAC provides a comprehensive range of services including forensic interviews, specialized forensic medical exams, trauma-focused mental health and victim advocacy, professional education, consultation, and prevention services.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS & SERVICES OFFERED
The Chair Project (Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board): This program serves 10 youth over 24 weeks, combining hands-on career exploration with life skills development. Participants will engage in workshops, guest speakers, site visits, and projects in barbering, cosmetology, and event planning.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program: The program is held in partnership with Advancing CT Together. Free income tax preparation for families who fit a certain income guideline
4H Nutrition (UCONN): This 10-week program meets once a week after school and combines hands-on cooking and nutrition classes with healthy eating education.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Prom Project, Back to School Rally, Turkey Dinner Distribution, Holiday Toy Store
