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YOUTH SERVICES DURING SUMMER
SUMMER PROGRAM
Prevention support is given throughout the summer to youth in grades 1-12. This is especially critical, because during the summer months some do not have access to many of the support and resources given at school.
YFC partners with other agencies to provide opportunities for growth, fun, and community integration.
Week 9: Community Week
For our last week of summer program, YFC focused on building up our community through group games and activities such as bike riding and partner dancing. To finish off the week, we ended with a special back to school support group for our teens hosted by The Break. We are grateful for a wonderful summer to look back on!
A huge thank you to our Conservation District who keep up with our beautiful bike trails, Northwestern Security Team who came to spend a day with our youth, The Break who hosted our support group and Dr. Melissa Katz for her expertise in reducing anxiety and promoting social-emotional health for our new middle school students.
Week 8: Create and Design Week #2
This week one group of youth got to work with food in the kitchen, while our other group got to create a content piece about where the food is coming from through interviews and observations at MCC's agriculture and horticulture programs.
We would like to thank McHenry School District 156 for hosting us for two week in their culinary classroom and sharing their wonderful teachers. Also would like to thank the wonderful collaboration of McHenry County College Kids & College. These two weeks have been amazing experiences and opportunities for our youth.
Week 7: Create and Design Week
"Food is a combination of ingredients that bind us together" Our Y.F.C facilitators and kids got the opportunity to put in practice their basic cooking skills with the help of our McHenry East Health Instructor. We sweetened each others hearts with pastries such as, cupcakes, and cookie dough.
The other group of kids got to experience our McHenry County Community College content and creation workshop, at this place they were able to work with cool technology to create content.
A huge thank you to Civic Studios. YFC is so lucky to be working with such a wonderful program like this.
Week 6: Water Week
Our kids learned how to work together as a community as we canoed our way through the lake of Boloria Meadows. We used our collaboration skills to help others fish. To finalize our week we spent our last day at our local Knox community pool having fun with parent, volunteers and instructors.
This week our teens created fun summer memories at our annual beach day at our local Peterson Beach.
Week 5: Music Week
This week our youth had the opportunity to visit the wonderful Norman B. Barr Camp where they were able to get a full camp experience at Lake Geneva. Also this week our youth enjoyed a cool drum circle in mother nature located at Harrison Benwell Conservation area. Teen Thursday will be provided this week as well with different musical activities.
Week 4: Animal Week
This week our youth had the opportunity to get close and personal with friendly animals at Mainstay Therapeutical Farm. They enriched their mind, body and spirit through powerful connections with horses, animals and nature. We thank Mainstay and all the wonderful partners who made this week possible.
Week 3: Coping Skills Week
This week our youth learned the value of having coping skills to deal with stress and other emotions. They were introduced to new hobbies. They enjoyed nature. They let out their energy by learning a new sport at The Academy Boxing Club. And they practiced mindfulness using breathing techniques and gratitude to find calm.
Week 2: Movement Week
This week our youth spent their time exploring different forms of movement. Our youth used their hands to quickly carry out challenges, and they used their feet to navigate through different obstacles. These movements also helped them create relationships throughout the community with McHenry's own police officers, Officer Bob and Officer Martinez. We thank officers for the valuable time spent with our youth week of the Summer Program.
Week 1: Garden Week
Our youth spent this week planting something special near YFC's roots at YFC Community Garden and were part of creating a beautiful pollinator garden for the community to enjoy for years to come. We want to thank the wonderful organizations and inspiring community members who collaborated in programming this week;
McHenry County Conservation District, Small Waters Education, Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, Land Conservancy of McHenry County, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
A huge thank you to all the planning, hard work, collaboration, facilitation, and funding who made YFC Summer 2022 and its impact possible!
Special Shout Out
YFC Youth Program Team
None of this would be possible without these two! Thank you Julissa and Carmen for all the love and hard work you ladies put in this summer and for all that you do for our youth in our community.
YOU ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
Independence Health Team
Without the transportation collaboration of Independence Health and Therapy access to our summer programming would be very limited. Thank you Independence Health for your collaborative leadership in our community.
Huge thank you to our summer community partners
TOGETHER WE DO MORE
