YMCA Family & Community Partnership Program (YFCP)
About YFCP
Welcome to the YMCA Family & Community Partnership! YFCP is a Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) grant program serving families with children, ages birth - 6, living in the towns of Auburn, Berlin, Blackstone, Boylston, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Hudson, Marlborough, Millbury, Millville, Northborough, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sutton, Webster and Westborough. YFCP supports and strengthens families through programs and services that promote early literacy, child development, school readiness, parent education and family engagement. We provide FREE "Play & Learn" and "Music & Movement" groups, STEM enrichment classes hosted by libraries, ASQ developmental screenings, parent trainings, transition to school events and resources/referrals.
YFCP CFCE grant is awarded to the YMCA of Central Massachusetts by the MA Department of Early Education & Care (EEC). To find the CFCE program serving your town, click HERE(opens in new tab) or visit www.mass.gov(opens in new tab)
YFCP Fall I Schedule & Registration
Session Dates: September 14 - October 30
General registration has ended, but you can still sign up for our waitlist or join groups with open spaces!
The Fall I schedule includes free parent-child "Play & Learn" groups in Sutton and Marlborough; NEW! “Playful By Nature” playgroup in Westborough; "Music & Movement" series in Berlin, Charlton, Dudley, Marlborough and Millbury; and "Little Movers!" in Southbridge and Westborough. Registration is required.
Additional Enrichment programs include a New! Pre-Readers Book Club in Charlton; “Young Scientists” STEM series at 9 libraries; and "Music & Movement" in Blackstone.
To contact YFCP, email: [email protected] or call the office at (P) 508-865-5920
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YFCP Virtual Workshops for Parents & Caregivers
Join us this season for our virtual workshops! These sessions are designed to help you better understand your child’s growth and development at each age and stage, giving you practical tools to support them every step of the way. Whether you are looking for positive strategies to manage challenging behaviors, ways to nurture social-emotional skills, or guidance on early childhood milestones, these workshops are here to support, inform, and strengthen you as your child's first and best teacher.
All workshops are held virtually via Zoom. Once registered, YFCP will email you the Zoom link prior to the workshop.
“The Heart of Thriving”
Tuesday, September 29 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Presented by Jeanine Fitzgerald
Thriving is the science of optimal development and living. Having worked with more than 6,000 families over the past 49 years, it is clear that every parent wants to reach the heart and mind of their child in authentic ways. This session guides us as parents and professionals toward understanding the layers of possibilities waiting to unfold.
"How to Support Your Toddler through the Most Important Years so They Grow and Develop with Healthy Self-esteem"
Tuesday, October 6 | 7:00 - 8:15
Presented by Bonnie Harris, M.S. Ed.
Parenting young children means navigating their big feelings, tons of impulsivity, and developing identity, while dodging non-stop pressure to teach them to listen, share, and behave. Join us for a practical, encouraging workshop on how toddlers actually process language and emotions. Learn simple ways to hold realistic expectations, communicate on your child's level, reduce frustration, and discover why everyday support and play matter far more than constant instruction and praise or criticism. Learn to be with them rather than to be at them.
"All Children are Perfectly Designed"
Tuesday, October 27 | 6:30 - 8:00
Presented by Jeanine Fitzgerald
Adults and children are partners in the dance of interaction; however, adults hold greater "responsibility.” This means we are to parent and teach in ways that ensure each child’s unique “designer genes” are understood and honored. Otherwise, children will grow up in many afflicted ways. This session provides insights into the hero within every child.
"When Your Kids Push Your Buttons: Understanding Your Reactions and Reframing Expectations"
Tuesday, November 17 | 7:00 - 8:15 PM
Presented by Bonnie Harris, M.S. Ed.
Do you ever find yourself losing your cool or feeling stuck in endless power struggles, saying and doing things you never thought you would? Join us for an insightful, practical workshop on understanding why our children’s behavior triggers us the way it does and how to intervene with ourselves, so our behavior doesn’t get out of hand, too. Learn effective strategies to understand where our triggers come from and how to stay calm, set clear boundaries, and respond rather than react.
Registration opens in early November.
"No Place Like Home"
Tuesday, December 1 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Presented by Jeanine Fitzgerald
Only when we know we will be treated with respect; when we know our needs will be met; when we know we are visible, valued and supported, and not embarrassed or set up to fail…only then are we willing to let our defenses down and truly open up the growth and learning. Relationships matter and perhaps none more than those we share in our home. The quality of the relationships we have are based on the attitudes we hold. So, what are the attitudes we hold? This session explores the “primary laws of love” as a highly effective way to influence our children and enhance our relationships with them.
Registration opens in early November.
About the Presenters
• Jeanine Fitzgerald is a Certified Human Behavior Consultant and Specialist, Author, Master Trainer, and founder of The Fitzgerald Community School. Learn more about Jeanine Here
• Bonnie Harris, M.S. Ed. is the Director of Connective Parenting, Author, Professional Trainer, and Family Counselor. Learn more about Bonnie and sign up for her Newsletter Here
NEW! "Little Movers"
Children, ages 3-6 with a parent/caregiver, will be guided through fun movement activities and games focused on building/enhancing gross motor (movement) skills. Children will run, jump, crawl, balance, ride scooters & bikes, and more! Each class will conclude with a storytime and music & movement activity.
Play & Learn Groups
Play & Learn Groups provide the opportunity for parents/caregivers and children to interact with each other in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment. Children learn to play, share, develop listening skills, communicate and build social skills. A facilitator will introduce art/science activities, math and music & movement during free play and story time. Parents/caregivers can share ideas, develop relationships and expand their support system. Weekly Play & Learn groups are offered in Sutton and Marlborough for children, ages 1-5, with a parent/caregiver.
"Musical Sing Along"
"Musical Sing Along" is facilitated by Debbie Crane and hosted by the Berlin & Marlborough Libraries (see schedule for days and times). Using a variety of songs, you will sing, dance, and play with Debbie and your children as you share music and movement together. We will also explore and play with a variety of rhythm instruments & props. Music is for every age. For children ages infant - 5 with a parent/caregiver.
“Tots & Tunes” Music
“Tots & Tunes” Music is a joyful music and movement experience facilitated by Apple Tree Arts, a community music and theater arts organization located in Grafton. Children, ages infant - 3, with a parent/caregiver will explore music through songs, movement, and simple instruments in this weekly music class held at the Millbury Public Library.
“Wiggles & Giggles” Music and Movement
“Wiggles & Giggles” Music and Movement with Laine Hanlon fosters physical, cognitive, social and emotional learning through music and motion. Children, ages 2-5, with a parent/caregiver, will sing, move, play musical instruments, learn rhythm and listen to stories! Registration is required each week.
Littles “Wiggles & Giggles”
Littles Wiggles & Giggles” with Laine Hanlon fosters physical, cognitive, social and emotional learning through music and motion. Children, ages 6 months – 24 months, with a parent/caregiver, will sing, move, play musical instruments, learn rhythm and listen to stories! Registration is required each week.
Tinker Playgroup
At each weekly playgroup, families will receive a free Tinker kit, a set of resources (materials) developed by the Boston Children's Museum with activities to learn and practice important STEAM (science, technology, engineering, are and math) skills, and family sheets to extend playgroup activities at home. This playgroup is for children ages 3-5 and will be facilitated by YFCP and Millbury Children's Librarian, Ms. Theresa.
“Young Scientists”
“Young Scientists” is facilitated by STEM Beginnings, a company in Shrewsbury with a mission to create fun-filled and exciting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) classes for children, and hosted by local libraries. Children, ages 3-6, with a parent/caregiver, learn STEM concepts through hands-on activities, a story and simple experiments.
Parent Workshops
Various topics on child growth and development are presented by experienced facilitators.
Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)
YFCP offers the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social Emotional (ASQ:SE-2) developmental screening tools for parents/caregivers to learn more about their child’s development from one month up to age 6.
Join the YFCP email list (opens in new tab)and start receiving weekly program updates, registration links, workshop notifications and more!
YFCP is a Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) grant serving the communities of:
Auburn, Berlin, Blackstone, Boylston, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Hudson, Marlborough, Millbury, Millville, Northborough, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sutton, Webster and Westborough.
If you do not live in one of these towns, find a CFCE grant program near you. (opens in new tab)
YMCA Family & Community Partnership (YFCP)
(Phone) 508-865-5920
(email) [email protected]
LOCATIONS:
YFCP Family Center
13 Providence Road
Sutton, MA 01590
Marlborough Play Space (at the Marlborough Boys & Girls Club)
169 Pleasant Street
Marlborough, MA 01752