(April 26, 2016) - Safe Harbor Youth Services was founded in 2012 and has impacted the lives of hundreds of youth in Burlington and Harwinton. To expand the organization’s operations, in June 2014, students from Lewis Mills High School worked to create an activity center in the center of Burlington for them and their peers. Due to its growth, the Town of Burlington, in partnership with the Town of Harwinton, sought to establish a pilot program for an Activities Coordinator at the Safe Harbor Youth Activity Center.

“Main Street Community Foundation has always been there for our town and our residents,” said Ted Shafer, First Selectman of Burlington, during a small grant award ceremony on April 26, 2016 at the Activity Center. The Community Foundation awarded $5,000 from the James R. Parker Trust to the Town of Burlington to support a part-time Activities Coordinator for Safe Harbor.

“You can see the positive difference the Activity Center has on the lives of Burlington youth,” Ted Shafer noted.

Safe Harbor is led by a 10-student advisory group from Lewis Mills High School. Melissa Burton, the new part-time activities coordinator, works with the students to evaluate and develop programming. “I also supervise all events, meetings and the Center when it is open, which is at least one day a week,” Melissa stated. “Right now we are really working to enhance the programs we currently run while doing outreach to the community. Safe Harbor is not just for high school kids; middle school students and other youth living in Burlington or Harwinton can be involved.”

The Activity Center is open to Burlington and Harwinton youth and holds events for them to attend. “The events are generally held on Friday nights and are meant to help steer kids away from drugs and alcohol,” stated one student. The average attendance at the events is 20 people, which has been steadily growing. To find out more about about the events, including a schedule, call Melissa Burton at 860.496.0356 ext. 3.   

The Activity Center is a key component of Safe Harbor Youth Services, which works in collaboration with Torrington Area Youth Service Bureau. Services offered by Safe Harbor include counseling; skill building and support groups; summer youth employment; community life skills and mentoring programs; positive youth development programs; and prevention activities.