Thank you for 30 years!
The
Pittsfield Youth Workshop Celebrates 30 Years Empowering The
Youth of Pittsfield!
“The Pittsfield Youth Workshop is a nonprofit youth organization
committed to providing programs and services that empower youth
by helping them to develop useful skills, self-esteem, and
meaningful friendships, by involving them in activities that are
interesting, challenging, and healthy avenues to
self-discovery.”
In
the fall of 1986, a small group of community members, area
youth, and concerned professionals gathered to discuss the
concept of creating a teen center for Pittsfield. This group met
regularly, and in the beginning of 1987 the concept became a
reality, and was named The Pittsfield Youth Workshop, or more
commonly known as PYW.
In
an article published in the Suncook Valley Sun on March 25, 1987
– PYW was introduced to the community, and described as “a
center, which will focus on the needs of youth. This facility
will be the hub of youth involvement in leadership, workshops,
preventive seminars on drug and alcohol abuse, community
involvement as well as a center for recreation and
entertainment.” Similarly, found in meeting minutes from March,
9, 1987 – a statement of purpose was created “Our goal is to
improve the quality of life for youth in the Pittsfield
Community. Our intent is to provide services and encourage
programs which empower youth.” Since the beginning, PYW has had
the same mission and vision – although 30 years has passed, the
purpose of this organization has remained consistent.
For
the first few years, PYW was a “center without walls”, offering
outdoor adventure experiences and community service
opportunities for teens. In 1990, PYW hired its first part-time
director and opened a Drop-In center in the town’s newly
renovated Community Center. Then, in 1998 PYW moved into a
downtown storefront on the corner of Depot and Carroll streets.
During the next few years, PYW increased its capacity to offer
more programing to the youth in the community, and was able to
secure funding to hire a full time director. Later, with the
help of grant funding, donations, and fundraising, PYW was able
to increase staffing levels to include two full time directors,
and two part time program coordinators. In the fall of 2007, PYW
moved into the Pittsfield Academy & Corinthian Lodge building on
Park St., where it is currently located. During all this time,
one of the overarching objectives has been to find a permanent
home for the Drop-In center, and to offer the youth of our
community programs and activities that are consistent,
collaborative, effective and fun!
The
Pittsfield Youth Workshop currently provides services for youth
in grades six through twelve, from Pittsfield, NH and
surrounding towns (approximately 220 individuals per year).
PYW’s holistic approach to youth development includes activities
and programs that allow youth to learn healthy life skills, form
positive relationships, engage in their community, and form a
plan for their future. PYW offers several distinct programs:
Drop-In, Academic Enrichment, Mentoring, Trips, Workshops with
Adult Role Models, Music & Arts, Leadership and Prevention
Programming, and Community Involvement. PYW is open for Drop-In
during the school year (M-F 3-6PM) and during the summer (M, W,
F 2-6 PM). During Drop-In, youth hang out with friends, and
participate in organized activities. Many play games, go on the
computer, complete school work, play outdoors, and participate
in small group workshops. All of these activities help youth
connect with their peers, interact with positive adult role
models, achieve academically, and learn healthy life skills. PYW
also offers out of town trips and excursions. Examples of our
most popular trips include: Movies, Bowling, Hiking, Rock
Climbing, Visits to Museums and Science Centers, Sporting Events
and Kayaking. PYW facilitates interactions between youth and
positive role models in order to connect teens with a wider
range of people with different abilities and backgrounds.
PYW’s activities are influenced by adventure education,
experiential learning and evidence-based practices of youth
development. PYW meets the needs of youth by: allowing for
acquisition of personal, interpersonal and recreational
competencies; offering opportunities to further one’s
self-understanding; providing the chance for youth to be part of
something and to have a place to belong; creating opportunities
for youth to develop and express their individual identity; and
by offering a variety of learning modalities. In practice, this
leads to a population of youth who make healthier decisions,
achieve academically, and have a positive vision for the future.
PYW
provides youth with time, space and skills. By providing these
resources, youth who participate are empowered and become more
engaged in their community. It is the firm belief of the program
that youth who receive these opportunities will be better
prepared for the future and will have a stronger sense of
direction in life. The program provides time for young people to
be with peers and adult allies; time they need to develop
meaningful relationships. Conflicts are worked through with the
support of other youth and adults. Important connections are
made with adults who share their interests, provide guidance,
and care about what’s going on in their lives.
PYW
provides youth with space that is safe and nurturing; space
where they are free to express themselves. The program gives
youth a place where they feel safe to be who they are without
pressure or judgment. It’s a place where participants can find
activities that are age appropriate, healthy and fun. The
program provides young people with opportunities to learn new
skills; skills that foster personal and interpersonal growth as
well as recreational and artistic talents. Youth need
opportunities to find something to be good at, and to be
recognized for those talents. Young people also need guidance in
finding healthy ways to work through personal and interpersonal
difficulties. Involvement in facilitated group activities gives
participants the chance to learn and practice these critical
skills.
For
the past 30 years, PYW has relied heavily on countless
volunteers to keep the organization running smoothly and
effectively. Volunteers help make this program happen – whether
as members of the Board of Directors, lending a hand with
fundraising, helping out during drop-in, chaperoning trips and
excursions, or simply being an advocate for our work. PYW would
not be so successful without the assistance of these community
members and their dedicated support. More importantly, PYW
wouldn’t be here without all of the amazing youth who have
helped shape the organization into what it is today. At PYW we
truly believe that youth voice and choice is an integral and
essential part of any youth serving organization.
What’s next for PYW? As we take the time to celebrate the past
30 years, we are also looking ahead to the future. Funding for
small independent nonprofits like PYW, is available, but often
limited. We are truly grateful to our grantors, donors and
supporters who consistently give to our program to help us
achieve our mission and vision. Program staff and volunteers are
working diligently on setting a plan for the future PYW – an
exciting endeavor! Our vision is to remain financially stable,
continue to evolve our programs to meet the needs of our youth
population, and to be around for at least another 30 years!
In
honor of this momentous achievement, PYW will be celebrating our
anniversary with an Open House and Celebration Dinner on
Saturday, June 24th 2017. The free Open House will be held at
PYW (5 Park St) from 1-4 PM, with guided tours of the Drop-In
Center, lots of photos and artifacts to check out from the past
30 years, and a display of our vision for the future. The
Celebration Dinner will be held in Dustin Park from 5-8PM, with
time to connect with past and present PYW friends, presentations
and sharing of stories, and a delicious meal. Tickets can be
purchased by visiting PYW’s website,
www.pittsfieldyouthworkshop.org, or by
calling 435-8272. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your
space today! If you are unable to attend, but would still
like to contribute to the PYW Futures Campaign, information on
how to donate can also be found on our website and on Facebook -
www.facebook.com/pittsfieldyouthworkshop.
