Above: Project Friend and the new “Project Friend Plus” were explained in a video last fall by Southborough Access Media.
Every year, Southborough Youth and Family Services runs a Project Friend program. The program pairs younger and older “Friends” to help build positive meaningful relationships.
Over the years the program has changed and grown to better fit kids’ and mentors’ needs and interests. Last year, age groups were clarified in promotions for Project Friend and “Project Friend Plus”.
Project Friend “brings older youth and younger youth together to form friendships”.
Project Friend Plus “brings community members of all ages together to with a focus on community service projects.”
Each program is offered for the full year, but the younger Project Friend group can also choose a half year option this fall or next spring. (Nov to mid-Feb and/or mid-Feb to late May. For the schedule details, click on thumbnails below right.)
Here are SYFS’s more detailed descriptions:
Project Friend: K-5th grade Little Friends with 7th- 12th grade Big Friends; Wednesday evenings, weekly
This group utilizes recreational activities to facilitate relationship building between the pairs. “Big Friends” are offered training that focuses on positive youth development, social skills, and how to be a positive role model. The “Little Friends” benefit from the relationship and special undivided attention of their Big Friend, while having the opportunity to interact with their same age peers with that support present.
Project Friend Plus: 6th-12th grade youth partners with adult partners age 21+; Wednesday afternoons, two times per month
This group has a community service focus where youth partners and adult partners work together on service projects that benefit human service agencies and organizations in and around Southborough. The partnership between the youth and adult fosters community building and positive youth development.
Anyone interested in either the full year or fall program should register by October 18th. To sign up or learn more, contact Meaghan (McCarthy) Eiland at 508-481-5676 x 2 or meiland@southboroughma.com.
To register, click here for SYFS’ online program registration form. You can also find a printable/mailable form in SYFS program guide (plus read about other services they offer) here.
