Wilton Youth Council, Inc. Information

Wilton Youth Council promotes the social and emotional well-being of Wilton’s students by empowering youth, parents and community. Our positive youth development programs for middle and high school students are professionally led and evidence-based. PeerConnection and PeerVention are social, interpersonal skills development programs based on the premise that when young people have problems, they most often turn to friends whom they trust for help. These programs identify the “natural helpers” within the school and give these students skills to more effectively help themselves and others. Youth to Youth and Warrior Council are substance use prevention and youth leadership programs, focused on four components: community service, personal growth, positive activities, and drug and alcohol education. Our educational forums cover current parenting topics such as addiction and the adolescent brain, perfectionism, and social media, providing parents with useful strategies to employ at home. Because parents also need a supportive network of peers, we foster connection through small group gatherings such as workshops and book discussion groups. Class Projects provide another opportunity for parents to meet and build relationships. Through collaboration with other organizations that serve children and youth, we are able to effectively shift social norms in our community. Our Free Play Matters Task Force brings together parents, social workers, educators, and others to find ways to inspire and educate the community about the critical importance of free play in the lives of children, and to facilitate the creation of more free play opportunities for children of all ages in Wilton. Our work on play, as well as efforts to educate our community about the impact of achievement culture, have been recognized at a national level on NPR’s Morning Edition, the PBS NewsHour and in an upcoming feature documentary. www.facebook.com/WiltonYouthCouncil/