Newburyport Youth Services (NYS) is a municipal department with the mission to create quality programs, events, and services for Greater Newburyport Area youth and families in safe and supportive environments that encourage growth, self-exploration, empowerment and community. NYS achieves this by applying positive youth development principles through recreation programs, youth and family support services, and cross-sector community and regional collaboration.
In response to several tragedies in Newburyport involving young people, the Youth Services department was created in 2005, in one room with one staff member and a clear mission to establish a city-wide, systematic approach to Positive Youth Development.
Throughout the years, NYS has repeatedly proven its agility and relevance by offering programs and services that meet the needs of, and improve outcomes for, youth and families navigating ever-changing risks and pressures. This involves continuously having a finger on the pulse of what works best to engage and empower young people, staying current on ways to effectively support youth at each developmental stage, and having the relationships to connect and deploy an extensive, cross-sector network of community partners to increase long-term, positive youth outcomes. There have been countless stories of individual success, resiliency, and support.
Today, with astounding results, NYS provides social services and recreation programs to over 2000 youth, families, and others active in supporting youth development in Newburyport and surrounding areas. Since its inception, NYS, in conjunction with its BEACON Coalition partners, has bolstered a 25% increase in protective factors in Newburyport middle schoolers and high schoolers, as well as a decrease from 15% to 4% of youth with fewest protective factors. As a result, the majority of local youth are healthy and engaged; and those who are not have supports and services readily available.
Andrea, better known as Andi, has been with NYS since its creation in 2005. Andi has worked in youth programming and direct service for the last 15 years. Her background is in youth and human development (not that youth aren’t human, it’s just 2 different degrees), substance abuse prevention, and asset building. She’s most passionate about empowering young people and helping them find their voice, whether it is to advocate for themselves or their community. When she’s not behind her desk or at a program, Andi is off playing with her son, walking her dog, and eating out with her friends.
Tina joined the NYS team in 2017 to help bring the positive youth development approach used at NYS, to other surrounding communities (Amesbury, Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, and Salisbury) as part of the Essex County Asset Builder Network (http://www.ecabnetwork.org ).
Tina’s background is in program evaluation and research, and after receiving her Master’s in Public Health from BU in 2015 she started working with substance use prevention coalitions, with a focus on youth development. Her passion for working with and supporting youth led her to her current position with NYS.
In her free time you might find Tina on the pool deck coaching swimming, in the kitchen cooking or baking up delicious treats, or outdoors hiking or enjoying the beach.
Recreation Programs year round from Birth- 18 and Families! Visit our online registration page for updates and information (including the latest brochure).
NYS is committed to empowering our young people. The Newburyport Youth Council is a youth-led community engagement committee for grades 7-12. Learn more about the Youth Council.
Newburyport Youth Services has chosen to develop its recreation, prevention and empowerment programming around the Positive Youth Development approach. Learn more about the 40 Assets and our “I Supoort YA” campaign.
NYS provides support to children and families in a number of ways. From the Parent Speaker Series to crisis intervention, programs to mentoring. Learn more about all that we offer!
NYS is committed to working with partners in the community to foster healthy youth development throughout the city! We are also passionate about enagaging young people in their own community.