Winchester Youth Center, 458R Main Street, 781-721-0906 • www.winyc.com

The Winchester Youth Center (WYC) is committed to fostering
leadership skills and a longterm commitment to community service through healthy social and experiential-learning activities for teens.

The goals of the WYC are to:

•  Provide Winchester teens with their own space that will foster healthy, safe, and enriching alternative activities outside of school hours. This is a place for Winchester teens to engage
in substance-free activities and develop healthy social skills.

•  Supply valuable work and service-learning opportunities in the community that enhance leadership development through
real life experiences.

•  Strengthen the relationship between teens and the community
and instill a commitment to civic responsibility and community involvement.

•  Promote positive and healthy youth development.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

The WYC sponsors numerous groups for high school and middle school students that focus on team-building, respect for self and others, service-learning, and making good decisions. Through these groups youth are given an opportunity to develop their skills in the areas of communication, organization, and leadership.

PEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The WYC Peer Leaders are a group of WHS students who are committed to their community and serving as role models for all Winchester teens. The Peer Leaders meet on Monday evenings to work on further developing their leadership, communication, interpersonal, and
decision-making skills; plan for upcoming projects; and have a lot of fun. They staff the Drop-in Center after school and serve as Project Leaders for all of the WYC’s service-learning projects including all of our special events and community service projects. This group is open to any WHS student who has natural leadership skills and the desire to further develop them. Anyone interested in joining this awesome group is welcome to stop by the WYC for more information.

SSA: STUDENTS SPREADING AWARENESS

SSA is the WYC’s peer education group for WHS students.
The mission of this group is “to inspire positive change in our world and provide opportunities for students to become active in the community. We identify issues of concern that we feel our peers are uninformed about and spread awareness in unique and interactive ways.” Throughout this school year we’ll be focusing our efforts on both middle school and high school issues including body image, alcohol and drug abuse, stress, bullying, and more. Anyone interested in joining this group should contact the WYC for more information.

DISCOVER

Project Leaders:
Ryan Ver Planck,  Nick Cobb, Kevin Pywell, Haley Wegner

Discover is the WYC’s middle school Youth Group.  We will meet each week throughout the school year on Wednesday nights from 6–7 beginning Wednesday, September 29th. Each week the WYC Peer Leaders lead the 7th & 8th grade youth group members in discussions and activities on important topics. Members of Discover learn about themselves and their peers and develop the skills to make informed decisions and positive choices. All 7th and 8th graders are welcome
to attend.

LITTLE BROTHERS & SISTERS

Project Leaders:
Ryan Ver Planck, Nick Cobb, Britta Erikson, Louis Covino

This is a select group for 8th graders who attend Discover, want to participate in community service, and aspire to become Peer Leaders.  Our Little Brothers & Sisters have been selected by the Peer Leaders who will serve as their mentors for the remainder of the school year.  The Little Sisters & Brothers volunteer in the Drop-in Center after school; participate in numerous community service projects such as the Books for South Africa project, food collections for the Woburn Council of Social Concern, and Youth Service Day; learn what it means to be a Peer Leader; participate in fun activities with their Big Brothers & Sisters; and attend weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 5:30–6 pm. Anyone who is interested in this program should come to Discover on Wednesday evenings beginning September 29th.

PACT

Project Leaders: Haley Wegner, Katie Shiang, Dani Seigel, Jill Stone, Sadie Zuch, Britta Erikson

PACT is the WYC’s new youth group just for 8th grade girls! We have created PACT with the goals of creating a dialogue about common issues girls face going into high school and inspiring a strong sense of self. Each month we will focus on one of the following issues: Self-image, Friends, Peer Pressure, Expectations, and Relationships. Through discussion, super fun activities, and special guest appearances we hope to motivate girls to build self-confidence and the ability to think critically and carefully about all of the decisions that they will make during the important transitions they face in the near future. PACT will meet on Thursday evenings in the WYC from 5:30–7 beginning in the Spring. Please contact the WYC for more information.

WYC AFTER SCHOOL DROP-IN CENTER

Staff: WYC Peer Leaders

The Winchester Youth Center has a Drop-in Center that is open daily from 2:15 to 5 pm on regular school days and 11:10 am–3 pm on early release days throughout the school year. The WYC staff provides a safe, supervised space where kids can have fun while interacting responsibly. Students are welcome to hang out with friends, play games, watch a movie, do homework, and take advantage of all the cool things that the WYC has to offer. Everyone is required to treat others with respect, be accountable for their own belongings, take care of the Drop-in Center equipment, and clean up after themselves. Students are allowed to come and go on a completely voluntary, drop-in basis.

The Drop-in Center will open on Monday, September 13th and will be open all week-long for everyone to experience and explore. We encourage all McCall students to come check it out!

Beginning Monday, September 20, students must have a Drop-in Center membership to attend.

Membership is $40 for the entire school-year, applications will be available in the WYC, the McCall Middle School main office and the Recreation Department beginning September 8th.

The Drop-in Center features organized activities everyday from 3–5 pm led by the WYC Peer Leaders. Daily activities include sports, arts & crafts, video games, pool tournaments, and outdoor activities. We encourage all McCall Middle School students to come check it out! The Drop-in Center also features a fully functioning homework room, furnished with new computers. The homework room is staffed each afternoon with Peer Leaders who are available for homework help. For more info please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS

Throughout the year the WYC runs a ton of different special events in an effort to provide WHS students with great alcohol and drug-free alternatives. It’s all part of the Peer Leaders’ commitment to help their peers make good decisions! Check out our website to learn about all of our special events and mark your calendars for all the things you won’t want to miss.

Throughout the year the WYC Peer Leaders coordinate and participate in a huge variety of community service projects. The Peer Leaders are committed to making a positive difference in the world and encouraging others to do the same. If you’re interested in doing something good for our community, stop by the WYC and find out how you can get involved. Please check out our website for a complete description of our service efforts.

WYC JEWELS

Project Leader: Jill Stone

The Peer Leaders have created beautiful jewelry made of glass beads, hemp, recycled materials and more. All of our hand-crafted jewelry is on display in the WYC and can be purchased Monday–Friday from 2–5 pm. The proceeds from all jewelry sales go to benefit the WYC and our youth development programs. Check out our website for upcoming jewelry party dates.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY NIGHTS

Project Leader: Allie Silverman, Andrea Fusco, Dani Seigel, Britta Erikson, Caitlin O’Donnell

The WYC co-sponsors monthly activity nights for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders with the McCall Middle School Parent’s Association and McCall Student Council. Participants are welcome to hang out, play games, or watch a movie in the Drop-in Center and listen to the DJ play music for the dance in the gym. All students must enter through the McCall front door. Check our website for upcoming Acticvity Night dates.

LOWELL WISH PROJECT

Project Leader: Dani Seigel & Haley Wegner

The Lowell Wish Project provides emergency, basic, and seasonal goods to low income families in the Merrimack Valley. The Peer Leaders volunteer several times throughout the year sorting and organizing donated items are collecting a wide variety of greatly needed items including new/lightly used pots & pans, jeans and sweatshirts for school-aged children, clothing and other gear for babies. We respectfully request that all items be in new/lightly used condition. Please bring your donations to the WYC during the week of October 4–8.

HANDS ACROSS THE WATER:

Books For South Africa Project

Project Leader: Allie Silverman

The Peer Leaders and Little Brothers & Sisters assist the Hands Across the Water Project by collecting books at the WYC and going to the collection bin on a weekly basis to help sort and pack the books to be sent to villages in South Africa. Please contact the WYC if you have books that you would like to donate.

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Project Leaders: Haley Wegner

The Peer Leaders are organizing a team to participate in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Boston on October 3. Please check out our website or contact us at the WYC to find out how you can make a donation to this tremendous cause for the American Cancer Society.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Project Leaders: Ryan VerPlanck, Nick Cobb, Tessa Belanger, Lauren Burchard, Britta Erikson

For four years the Peer Leaders have participated in a week-long service-learning project with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for needy families. During April vacation we will travel to a different area of the country to participate in our sixth annual week-long service trip.

Throughout the fall and winter, the Peer Leaders will be running a variety of events in an effort to fundraise 100% of the expenses for our trip in April. Please contact us of you would like to make a donation toward this amazing service-learning experience.

WINCHESTER YOUTH SERVICE DAY

Project Leaders: Erin Mayo, Jenn MacAuley, Sarah Craven, Nicole Wong

On Saturday, September 25, the WYC & Connect and Commit will co-sponsor the seventh annual Youth Service Day in Winchester. Hundreds of teens will be given the opportunity to participate in service projects all over town including park clean-ups, planting and beautification projects, Aberjona clean-up, and more.

This amazing community service event is open to all middle and high school students. Students can register at the WYC and in the WHS Connect & Commit office. We are also searching for adults who are interested in volunteering with the students and additional service projects that we can put on our list. Please contact us at 781-721-0906 if you would like to get involved.

SCAVENGER HUNT

Project Leaders: Allie Silverman,
Dani Seigel, Caitlin O’Donnell,
Jacquie Ogonowsky

We are organizing a town-wide scavenger hunt in October. Select 3–5 of your quickest, smartest, stealthiest, most adventurous friends and enter your team in this super fun challenge. Teams must have a team name, costumes, and a digital camera. Trophies, medals, and other prizes will be awarded to the most cunning, most creative, and best teams. Check out our website to find out more or stop by the WYC to enter.

HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING

Project Leaders: Ryan VerPlanck, Allie Silverman, Dani Seigel, Caitlin O’Donnell

The WYC and Winchester Recreation Department sponsor and organize this annual event for children all over town. Participants will be painting the outside of designated downtown business windows with a Halloween theme on Saturday, October 23. The Peer Leaders and Little Sisters & Brothers will be in their Halloween costumes to present medals to the participants.

WYC HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY COFFEE HOUSE

Project Leaders: Kevin Pywell, Allie Silverman, Britta Erikson

On Friday, October 29 from 8:30–11 pm the Peer Leaders will transform the WYC into a spooky Halloween-themed Coffee House. All attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and get into the Halloween spirit! There will be a contest for the best costumes and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
As always, the Coffee House will feature live music and delicious homemade treats, frappes, and coffee drinks.

The Coffee House is open to high school students only. Admission is $5. All proceeds will benefit the Peer Leaders’ Habitat for Humanity trip.

HALLOWEEN HORRIBLES PARADE

Project Leaders: Ryan Ver Planck, Britta Erikson

Join us for the second annual Halloween Horribles Parade and Party for kids on Saturday, October 30, sponsored by the Winchester Recreation Department, Family Action Network, and WYC. Children of all ages are invited to meet behind the Public Library at 10 am for a costume parade to Winchester Common and then go trick-or-treating at many downtown businesses. Next we will head over to the Town Hall Auditorium at 11 am for a Halloween Party featuring games, crafts, and music. WYC Peer Leaders will be in their costumes to help lead the parade and then organize games and crafts for everyone at the party! 

ROCK FOR YOUTH

Project Leaders: Ryan Ver Planck, Haley Wegner, Allie Silverman, Jillian Stone

Each year the WYC sponsors a Battle of the Bands for local high school rock stars. The first of three rounds will take place on Friday, November 19 from 6:30–11 pm in the Winchester Town Hall Auditorium. If you are interested in registering your band, contact the WYC or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Admission is $10 and each audience member receives one ballot to vote for their favorite bands.  As with all WYC events, no outside drinks are allowed and students are not allowed to re-enter.

Proceeds from Rock for Youth benefit the Harrison Chadwick Youth Service Award Scholarships.