Kosciusko Cares Youth Services Bureau has established its first office and will celebrate the opening at 1016 E. Center St. in Warsaw with an open house early next month.
The group invites the community to the open house at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 2 to tour the facility.
A lunch will coincide with the open house. A watercolor art display will be presented by Gabrielle Stephenson during the open house.
The youth services bureau is sponsored by the Bowen Center for Human Resources.
Kosciusko Cares has evolved from its initial purpose of collecting and evaluating community data and information to the development and implementation of evidence-based programs for youth and families; and now it enters a new, more robust phase to better serve county residents, according to a news release from the organization.
As part of the group’s ongoing growth, it has expanded the number of board members, staff and coalitions. Its coalitions include:
• iCARE Youth Coalition – comprised of youth from Warsaw, Wawasee and Tippecanoe Valley High Schools. Their role is to provide direction and leadership for the needs of youth in the county and to create youth-led opportunities for their peers.
• The Kosciusko Cares adult coalition is focused on bringing evidence-based prevention to the community. They build prevention strategies using best practices in prevention science and awareness around healthy lifestyle choices for youth and families.
The news release from the organization states Kosciusko Cares offers the following programs that are proven to grow strong families, teens, adolescents and children:
• Strengthening Families Program: 14-week family skill building
• Al’s Pals: Making Healthy Choices: all Head Start classrooms
• Botvin Life Skills Training Program: middle schools and high schools
• Safe Place Program: coming soon
• Plus, programs driven by teen and community input:
• Life Skills Academy Pilot Project: Warsaw Community High School
• Teen Film Camp: hands-on learning; all aspects of filmmaking
• Teen Comedy Improv: shown to increase social skills and self-esteem
