YCS

YCS is very grateful to be among The Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation grant recipients. The funds to purchase specialized exercise equipment and adaptive furniture has given our residents with neurological impairments in a YCS Home the freedom and joy of greater mobility. Our sincerest thanks to The Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation for their compassion, kindness and generosity!

Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation awards $50K to local nonprofits | ROI-NJ The Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving communities across the Northeast, on Thursday announced it awarded nine grants totaling $50,185 for its Spring 2024 grant program. Grant recipients include Youth Consultation Service, Push to Walk, Community Mea...

Sign up now to get in on the fun with the annual Silent Auction! Bidding will be open online for a limited time, learn more here: YCSGolf24.GiveSmart.com

We want to give a special shout out to the YCS Foundation Donors and Event Sponsors. Thank you for keeping the children and young adults at YCS in your hearts! We cannot wait to celebrate your generosity at the Golf Outing on 9/16: YCSGolf24.GiveSmart.com

Did you know that you can support the YCS Foundation at the click of a button? Whether you are near or far, you can purchase a 50/50 ticket and make a difference in the lives of those we serve: YCSGolf24.GiveSmart.com

We are looking forward to the Golf Outing in September! Please visit our GiveSmart fundraising page to learn more about how you can support the YCS Mission: YCSGolf24.GiveSmart.com

Let's celebrate the freedom to be ourselves and the opportunities that our nation provides. Happy Independence Day!

Living with Pride!
Youth from the YCS LGBTQ+ support group planned their first annual Pride Event! The residents from four group homes gathered for a fun filled day with lots of food, music, water sports, photo ops! and festive prideful decorations to set the mood, according to Aimee Briscoe, Sayre House program director.

Huge Thanks to Sony volunteers for hosting an end-of-school year outing at Humdingers for children at a YCS residence. They had a blast with their Sony Friends - bowling and playing freely in the arcade. After dinner, they all gathered for a photo to commemorate the evening. Sony Electronics volunteers have been supporting children at YCS for more than 20 years.

The inaugural YCS Southern Region DD Quarterly Employee Spotlight” recognized the outstanding work performance of 12 employees representing each of the YCS DD homes in the south. Under the leadership of YCS VP Dawn Jones, the program managers put their hearts into creating an inspired evening for all the honorees. The Somerdale YCS headquarters conference room was transformed into a ballroom, tables were set for royalty and true to YCS Southern Region charm, the dinner was prepared by the staff; gift baskets were personally filled to the brim with treats, and every recipient received a hand-written thank you card.
Honoree, Butler Belvins, Residential Assistant at the YCS Blackwood Home was blown away by the evening. “This award makes me feel wanted,” said Belvins when he found out he was nominated by the Blackwood Home team.
The quarterly awards initiative came into fruition as part of the SR Action Plan for 2024 to acknowledge employees. “We wanted to give public recognition to employees for their dedication, sacrifice and service to the youth and adults at YCS….Their continued service to the youth and YCS as a whole is greatly appreciated, “explained Jones.
Congratulations to all the honorees:
Derrell Wallace Camden R.A, Butler Belvins Blackwood R. A.,Shawnta Blake Buena-R.A., Shavona Boateng Absecon R.A. Alaya Lott-CSAP Winslow R.A, Shamyra Ware CSAP Hammonton Spvr. R.A., Jeffrey Reynolds Estell Manor R.A, Alice Omini Sewell R.A., Annette Jones Cedarbrook Spvr. R.A., Marilyn Braggs Toledo Spvr. R.A., Sada Collins Willingboro Spvr. R.A., Jacob Shambry Echohill Spvr. R.A.

The scotching heat did not deter families from attending the Parents as Teachers (PAT) graduation at Washington Park in Union City. Thirty moms, dads and their little ones gathered for one final time to celebrate their completion of the program. Every parent eagerly shared what PAT meant to them through tears of gratitude and appreciation. Many determined to stay in touch with their parent educator as they now thought of them as friends. Congratulations to all the families. We wish you the best of luck in the future as your families grow and thrive.
The YCS PAT is based on a national evidence-based, home-visitor model that provides comprehensive parent education to ensure that babies, toddlers, and preschoolers have a strong foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. PAT does this by focusing on supporting parents/caregivers as their child's first teacher. Parents as Teachers National Center

YCS Lawnridge Home host events to foster family connections.
Mark Robinson, YCS Lawnridge Program Director, piloted a new initiative to improve the involvement of parents in the lives of their sons. The 1st Dads & Kids Pancake Breakfast was held in May and was followed by the 1st Moms & Kids Chicken & Waffles Brunch in June. Both breakfasts were well attended by dads, moms, and family members. "The boys were all smiles and full of excitement for their families coming to eat breakfast with them...It allowed for the boys and their parents to strengthen their family bonds," explained Mark, adding, "The parents said they appreciated the invitation to eat breakfast with their sons and everyone enjoyed the food.” The spirit of this initiative extended beyond the breakfasts and was evident as family members came out for the Hawaiin themed BBQ that the YCS Lawnridge Home hosted over the weekend.

Vineland's Family Fun day was a blast! Staff really outdid themselves. There were two water slides, a dunk tank, bean bag toss, hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans, a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, and to top it all off, Rita's Italian Ices. Oh, and let's not forget about the water ballons! Big thanks to all the donors that made this event possible. Everyone had a ton of fun.

Juneteenth, Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States on June 19th, 1865, a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom and equality. Tomorrow, as we celebrate this day, let us also reflect on that moment in our history and appreciate how it has made us a stronger and more inclusive nation.

The sun shined brightly for the 2024 Sawtelle Learning Center graduation ceremony. The graduates and their families were treated to the applause and cheers of the entire school that lined the driveway as they walked up, heading to the field where their graduation would take place. Leisa Tomchek, the school principal, began the ceremony and spoke about each individual student. Three graduates came to the microphone to share their thoughts and each family was given a bouquet of flowers to thank them for their support. It was a truly, a very happy and wonderful event for the graduates, their families, and staff. Congratulations to the 2024 Sawtelle Learning Center graduates!!

The YCS Parent Linking Program (PLP) at Eastside High, in Paterson, is a lifeline for students who are expecting a child or are new moms or dads. Participants meet every week for a group discussion about what to expect during their pregnancies, how to care for their new babies, and much more. Recently, moms currently enrolled in the program, PLP graduates and family members gathered with their children for an end-of-year celebration. Several moms shared their gratitude for the program and their counselors: “My counselor has helped me learn how to manage my babies sleep so I can get up in the morning and go to school,” said one high school senior. Another mom who graduated the program in 2023, said her counselor is like her “second mother” that she can always call for advice. Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey

Today, GW School hosted a beautiful graduation ceremony and sent off their graduates in style. Principal Tatum Johnson spoke words of encouragement and Ms. Sonya imparted a message of strength and inspiration with her rendition of the song Hero by Mariah Carey. Each student came to the microphone and delivered their own messages of appreciation. YCS CEO, Tara Augustine presented each student their graduation ring with their graduation certificate.
Special thanks to our generous donors Goldwasser & Chan LLP. Freedom Bank, Hackensack Rotary, and Bergen Rotary for underwriting the graduation, and all the families, friends, fellow students and staff who attended the ceremony.
Congratulations to the 2024 GW School graduates!

On a recent visit to the U.S., Kevin Reece, the founder and principal of Lighthouse English Primary School in Tanga, Tanzania to meet the students and faculty Ycs GW School who are participating in a Pen Pal exchange. Students, Blake and Jordin, proudly took Mr. Reece on a tour of the school and in exchange learned a lot about the lifestyle ad culture of the children in Tanzania. YCS Director of Communications, Barbara May, videotaped the visit so Mr. Reece could share his experience with all the children at Lighthouse. Lighthouse is one of just a few primary schools in Tanzania that conduct all classes in English. YCS Chaplain William Waller initiated the pen pal exchange at the beginning of the school year and looks forward to its continued success.

Celebrating the achievements and the diversity of people of Caribbean descent! Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month!

Celebrating all the beautiful identities of the LGBTQ+ community! Happy Pride Month!

The Newark campus hosted a Memorial Day Carnival! Residents were treated to food, music, and a fun-filled time.

Congratulations on the success of the 12th Annual Todd Ouida Foundation Conference: "Reflection as Revolution." The memory of Todd and Herb Ouida was honored by YCS CEO, Tara Augustine as she spoke about the long-lasting relationship between the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health and the pivotal work in children's mental health supported by the Todd Ouida Foundation. Congratulations to the Care Plus home visitors' program - winner of the Ouida Children’s Hero Award.

Free orange/tigerLillie's
Just dug up batches off Lillie's
Very hearty
Happy to share

There are so many folks to acknowledge for the success of the 17 Annual YCS Blossoms Art Exhibit & Awards Show at the bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center). The artwork was amazing and the messages behind each piece reflected the children’s sensitivity and hearts. The performances were electrifying including several songs that got the Pac rocking, a riveting praise dance to “Break the Chains,” two powerful self-affirming raps, and a piano performance. We are forever grateful to Helene Cohen, gallery curator and Vanessa Tyler our special guest awards presenter and a very dear friend to all the children at YCS. Shout out to Steve Hegel and the stage lighting and sound crew for making sure the children shined on stage, and Alexander Diaz, PAC executive director. A special thanks to Senator Holly Schepisifor sending an official ceremonial proclamation. and lastly but certainly not least a very heartfelt thank you to Justin Shaw, our MC

Beloved heavy weight contender Gerry Cooney used his charms on the trading floor to earn commissions for YCS at BTIG Charity Day. The annual fundraising event boosts raising more than $50 million in commission since 2003 for hundreds of charities. Cooney has been a popular celebrity guest since its inception. YCS is very grateful to have Gerry Cooney in our corner at BTIG.

Senator M. Teresa Ruiz congratulated 60 young moms at the YCS Nurse-Family Partnership graduation at Turtle Back Zoo this past Friday and met with the nurses for a short roundtable discussion. Following the graduation ceremony and a luncheon. The moms, their toddlers, family membersand friends enjoyed an afternoon in the zoo. We are very grateful to Senator Ruiz for encouraging the moms and nurses. It was truly a happy time for all.

The youth at Sayre House had an opportunity to participate at the Child Wellness Institute ChildWIN's 8-week Youth Resiliency Group for the second year in a row. Due to their participation and dedication throughout the 8 weeks, Bella and Jordyn were selected to speak at ChildWin's Annual Gala. Bella and Jordyn worked hard on preparing and practicing their speeches weeks leading up to the Gala and were excited to share their stories. The speeches were about their journey in residential, what they've learned and how the Youth Resiliency Groups impacted their lives. The youth each invited their mothers to attend the Gala alongside them. Bella and Jordyn had a great night where they got to dress up, enjoy live music, meet professional athletes, and share their inspirational stories with everyone in the room. by Aimee Briscoe

For the past 11 years, the Todd Ouida Children's Foundation has honored the importance of Children's Mental Health awareness month with a professional conference.. This year's conference theme: "Reflection as Revolution: Ways of Being as a Catalyst of Change is sure to be both insightful and encouraging.