Lexington Youth and Family Services, Inc.

1. Lexington Youth and Family Services, Inc. “Strengthening the Safety Net” First Parish Church, 7 Harrington Rd, Lexington 02421 LYFS side entrance door 781-862-0330 www.LYFSinc.org

2. 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Lexington School Department -------------------------- SUICIDE: 206 Lexington High School students seriously considered suicide, 104 made a plan & 50 attempted it. Of these 50, 14 attempted 2 or 3 times to kill themselves. DEPRESSION: 329 students reported feeling depressed often. CUTTING AND SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR: 152 students reported having hurt themselves as a result of their depression. ANGER: 520 students reported that even after expressing their anger, they still have trouble forgetting about it.

3. As a community, we see more… Stress, depression, & anxiety Eating disorders Cutting Suicidal/homicidal thoughts or actions Substance abuse Domestic violence Bullying Other types of at-risk behavior

4. These are the problems we want to address because teens at risk often feel invisible. Therefore, the challenge is to reach our teens in crisis who are disconnected and much harder to identify.

5. We are: • A private, non-profit, after-school safety net for at risk teens to complement existing town services. • Open from 3pm to 6pm every Friday. In the future, we will expand services to additional weekdays and evenings. • Located in the center of town, on the Battle Green, at the First Parish Church, 7 Harrington Rd., on the right hand side entrance marked “LYFS”.

6. LYFS Entrance

7. LYFS Office

8. Current Services: • Free, adolescent-initiated, therapy and crisis counseling for ages 11– 22 and their families • Specific Services include: • Evaluation & short term therapy • Crisis intervention & triage • Referral services • Adolescent & parent groups • A teen “Safety Net” working with other community resources to promote a collaborative system

9. The word-of-mouth response has been growing weekly. Since spring 2011, our office has been open Fridays, 3-6pm. We have already served: 60 - Number visits of teens and parents who have come to LYFS to help friends or just get information. 27- Number of crisis intervention and counseling sessions provided by the staff counselor and therapists. Many young people report how depressed, stressed and/or suicidal they feel. Our goal is to help teens cope with their crisis.

10. We quickly found out that • we need MORE… • Staff hours • Volunteer therapists • And (maybe) more space • How can you help? • Please make a donation now. • Please volunteer for fundraising and advocacy. • We need licensed therapists from 3-6pm or 6-9pm weekdays.

11. Long-term Goals: Social and support groups for both teens and parents A drop-in center – an accepting, welcoming place to “just be” Peer leadership opportunities that will empower kids to reach out and help one another, with guidance from LYFS therapists A crisis intervention hotline, to be serviced by teens, with LYFS therapist guidance

12. LYFS Community Board is a group of concerned citizens. Board of Directors Bill Blout, President Constance Counts, Treasurer Michele Cooke, Clerk Tim Dugan Mary-Jane Donovan Joan Robinson Betsey Weiss Youth Advisory Board • Jamie Goldberg • Elise Goplerud • Kate Powers • Talia Richkin • Jonah Watt • Sharon Stirling, Staff Counselor We welcome your interest in joining the board or any other volunteer efforts.

13. The LYFS Youth Advisory Board is a group of dedicated Lexington teens who volunteer their time and input on important issues faced by their peers.

14. While office space is generously donated by the First Parish Church, we are not affiliated with any religious organization. All of our volunteer therapists are licensed practitioners who donate their time.

15. Lexington Youth and Family Services, Inc. Please give generously and send a check to: LYFS Inc. 7 Harrington Rd Lexington, MA 02421 (781-862-0330) www.LYFSinc.org All financial donations support free direct services. LYFS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.