Each session will teach kitchen skills and discuss nutrition and food safety information, so teens will be able to “drop-in” at any time during the program without missing any key information from earlier sessions. Kitchen Cred will also train YES staff members so they can support the teens as they practice in the YES kitchen between sessions.

As is true with all KC programs, YES teens will obtain more than a new set of skills in the kitchen. In addition to the five learning sessions, participants will also get the opportunity to prepare a meal for a group of outside people. During this time, students from other cooking and nutrition programs in the city will likely be invited to join the YES residents, giving the teens an opportunity to learn about community service, team building and networking.

Kitchen Cred’s founder, Doug Barg, is delighted to collaborate with YSI. According to KC project leader, Ellen Marshall, working with the youth at YES will allow Kitchen Cred to give confidence and support to kids – who are both very vulnerable and extremely resilient – so that they can learn skills they can build on as they move on with their lives. YSI Executive Director Gwen Bailey agrees:

We are thrilled to bring this phenomenal program to our youth. With its unique combination of practical kitchen skills, accessible learning opportunities, and meaningful relationships, I have no doubt that Kitchen Cred will be a valuable tool for our teens.

Find out more about Kitchen Cred on Facebook.

This year, Lynda and Barbara have engaged YES teens in activities focused on Women’s History Month, the Presidential Inauguration, the biographical Jackie Robinson movie 42, and the musical Sister Act. The teachers prepare their YES students by leading discussions on the upcoming subject and then follow up afterwards with activities that prompt the teens to reflect on their experience.

After watching the movie 42, Jerrick wrote:

From the movie I learned to hold my temper. Words can hurt, but you will lose if you fight. I think it is important to be the bigger man. I also changed my mind about giving up. I know you can’t be successful by giving up.

Watching Sister Act opened Gloria’s eyes to the theater:

I enjoyed the play because it was a musical…This was my first time going to a play. After this play I would love to go to another play.

This summer Lynda and Barbara will lead YES teens in the second annual Summer of Fitness – planting a vegetable garden, conducting lessons on healthy eating and portion control, and taking field trips to Brandywine Park.

The group will also be going Impressionistic for a tour of the Barnes Museum and doing an intensive writing workshop where the teens will work together to publish a book of personal writing in only two weeks. Quite an impressive feat.

This year’s conference will feature inspiring speakers and informative workshops, many of which are led by high school and college students. The event will also include great entertainment, including DJ Reezy, Enon’s Steps of Faith, and PYPM spoken word finalist Jasmin Johnson. Lunch is provided.

We encourage you to register a teen (ages 13 – 18) for this one-day conference as soon as possible. Space is limited. We also have a number of volunteer opportunities.

Email teenconference@ysiphila.org or call 215-222-3262 ext. 80 to register a teen for the conference or to sign up to volunteer. You can find the event on Facebook at My Life, My Future Teen Conference 2013.

There will be $3 tickets for a Gift Basket Giveaway, which includes a Glitzy Poise Karma Combo Pack, with 50% of raffle proceeds being donated to YSI. Donated items will also be accepted. Click here for the event flyer. Hope to see you all there!

While a strong family unit is the ultimate defense against child abuse, there are many circumstances that prevent young Americans from having that strong family unit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that more than 740,000 children and youth are treated in hospitals as a result of violence each year – that’s more than 84 children an hour. Trusted friends and active community members can help make certain that families receive the support they need by offering their time and resources, as well as taking an active role in the lives of the children. By coming together as a community, we can foster a safe environment for children to learn and grow.

If you or someone you know is in need of emergency or respite childcare, don’t hesitate to contact Youth Service, Inc. YSI can provide many answers and resources for those who are in need of a helping hand. Located at 34^th and Baring in West Philadelphia, the Baring House Crisis Nursery provides free temporary childcare services for children from birth to five years old. Operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, a nurturing staff provides children with stable, high-quality care. The Sally Watson Center, which can be found on Wayne Avenue in Germantown, is YSI’s other crisis nursery center. These programs provide comfort for parents who need childcare because they are in a hospital or treatment program and those who are job searching or dealing with other stress that could lead to the abuse of a child.

Remember, you have the power to make a difference in the lives of children all around you. For more information about becoming involved with YSI, check us out on the web at www.ysiphila.org, or call (215) 222-3262.

This is a real letter that Sunnycrest case manager Tamika Wilson recently received from a former client:

Hey Tamika,

It has been sooo long. This is Tina*, an old client. You may or may not remember me it’s been so long but I was scrolling through my contacts list and ran across your name and had some very fond memories. I was so blessed to have had you as a social worker. It was working with you that began a change in my whole life, even if we didn’t meet under positive circumstances. I am very grateful for everything you did for me and my family.

The girls are now 7 & 8 years old doing very good in school, as well as my step son who is now 10. The baby just turned 2 years old in March but she talks like she’s five. Will and I are doing very well also, going on our 5yr anniversary in October. We just moved into our new house in Germantown maybe 3 weeks ago in a neighborhood that’s great for the kids. I’m also doing a medical billing internship with The ARK of Philadelphia, which is the first spiritually and culturally relevant substance abuse treatment program in PA.

I know that these are accomplishments that I had to achieve on my own, but you will never know how much you have to do with my success. From the parenting classes to the biggest step, which was helping me find real, gainful employment……. these honestly were the first few steps in me making something out of the life I was blessed with and the lives that I am responsible for.

I just don’t ever remember thanking you Tamika. I don’t know if you know how important what you do is, or that some of us have too much pride to give the appreciation that’s due when it’d due, but I am truly grateful, and I am also grateful to Ms. Keener for allowing me to participate and even volunteer here and there. Like I said when I saw your name I got all types of warm feelings and I wanted to share them. Please let all the ladies know I said HELLO!!! And thanks!!

- Tina

*All client names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Vera has worked closely with countless parents during her eleven years with the parenting program. Yet, she’s still inspired and energized by the changes families are capable of making when they have someone to guide them:

It’s amazing to watch people like Lisa that come into the program kicking and screaming, not understanding why they need to be here. They are cared for and nurtured here – they go through a transformation and come to see that we all need support.

Vera believes that supporting vulnerable families is a collective responsibility, and something that will benefit all of us:

If we develop stronger parents and families that can teach their children to be independent and resourceful, we’ll have less crime and stronger communities. There are lots of parents who really want to do the best they can by their children. At Sunnycrest we tell them that we all need help and support and that it’s okay to admit that and ask for it. You don’t have to be the perfect parent, because nobody is, you just have to try.

Parenting is hard. It’s very easy to get caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of life, but sometimes we need to take a step back and focus on the bigger picture: are we fulfilling our duties as parents? No matter what stage of parenting you’re in, children’s needs are constantly changing. The National Parenting Awareness campaign aims to help parents work through those changes and reminds them that their role in the lives of their children is vital. For free resources, tips and parenting stories, check out http://www.parenting.org/.

The Golf Classic will be held on June 24, 2013 at Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey. Following the tournament will be a New York-themed cocktail hour, awards ceremony and auction. All of the proceeds will be given to Youth Service, Inc. The teams will consist of four players, along with a celebrity captain and a scorer for each round. Accompanied by awesome Nike Golfer gifts, each foursome will also have the opportunity to win other cool prizes in contests throughout the rounds. The winning foursome will compete in the Super Bowl of Golf in April of 2014. This event will be held in a warm-weather golf destination and will include the winners from more than 25 other NFL Alumni tournaments around the country.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in getting involved with this event, click here or check out www.NFLAlumniPhilly.com.

We would like to give a big thank you to the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter for their support of runaway and homeless youth. Your care and generosity will help in the growth of stronger families throughout the community.

Her friend Ajay Rewari, a YSI Board Member, brought her to our teen shelter, where she had a chance to talk with the youth about her career in the financial industry. She was wowed – so much so that she wanted a chance to meet clients in other YSI programs.

One chilly weekend in December, Meline spent several hours with YSI’s Young Friends Group – and with her new and very young friends, the toddlers at Baring House Crisis Nursery. The adults were nearly as excited as the children to decorate (and eat!) holiday cookies, make a few winter-themed crafts, and play games. Meline told us: 

“It was eye opening to see what a few hours of our time does for these kids who just want someone to play with and give them attention. I’ve never come across anyone as small and explosive as little Timothy – he had every adult in that house running around trying to keep him occupied.”

Meline is the Branch Manager of Wells Fargo’s Rosemont and Villanova offices. She saw first-hand the positive impact YSI has, and was able to spark a donation from the company’s community fund. She says, “It was an easy choice. I had read and heard so many great things about YSI even before I got involved directly. I’m looking forward to building a stronger relationship with the organization.”