Submitted by Laura Shipman, HKYFS.Â
Youth & Family Services Holiday Giving Program 2020
The holiday giving program facilitated by HK Youth & Family Services, Inc. is available for families in need that reside in Haddam, Higganum, Haddam Neck and Killingworth. New gifts and toys will be collected for children and youth from birth through age 18. The program runs from November 2, 2020 through December 18, 2020. Deadline for registration is December 1, 2020. Â For more information about how you can donate, or to register for this confidential program please call 860-345-7498 or email office@hkyfs.org.
Stuff-A-Cruiser
Our Haddam Resident State Trooper will have their cruiser available at the Higganum Green, Route 154 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Please join HK Youth & Family Services, Inc. to stuff a cruiser with a donation of a new gift or toy for families in need. Please remember our teens during this holiday season as well as young children. If you need ideas, please call HKYFS at 860-345-7498 or email office@hkyfs.org
Healthy Communities Healthy Kids Coalition
What is the Healthy Communities Healthy Kids Coalition? A group of community members formed this coalition (formerly the Prevention Council) in 1993 in response to the growing concern about the number of Haddam and Killingworth youth using and abusing alcohol and other drugs. A collaborative effort enhances and strengthens the process of identifying and addressing areas of concern
Why was it created? The towns of Haddam and Killingworth struggle with youth substance abuse. This continues to be an issue with all communities nationwide. The Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids (HC-HK) Coalition seeks to prevent and reduce substance abuse. The Coalition meets monthly and has had several working meetings where members break into small groups to analyze the local and national data, prioritize areas of concern and plan how they hope to address these areas.
Who is involved? Representatives from all 12 sectors of the community are involved in coalition activities. They include youth; parents; the business community; media; school; youth serving organizations; law enforcement agencies; religious or fraternal organizations; civic and volunteer groups; healthcare professionals; state or local agencies with expertise in the field of substance abuse; and other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse.
Interested in joining, contact Laura Shipman at 860-345-7498 Â or email office@hkyfs.org
Drug Take Back
October 24, 2020 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. We will be at The Killingworth Pharmacy (183 Route 81, Killingworth) and the Nutmeg Pharmacy (23 Killingworth Rd, Higganum) from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to collect all unused or expired medication for safe disposal.
Counseling Services
We are pleased to offer our counseling and support services to the HK community. Our licensed therapists and counselors offer individual, couples and family therapy for all ages. We have solid clinical experience working with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, family conflict, stress, and addictions. Our commitment is to work with you to ensure the best possible confidential care to improve the quality of your life and your loved ones.
We have flexible appointment times, please call us to schedule and meet one of our therapists at 860.345.7498, or you may email us at ClinicalDirector@HKYFS.org
The 27th Annual Pumpkin Run 5k Race For Kids!
We will be hosting our 27th Annual Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run to benefit Youth and Family Services of Haddam-Killingworth (HKYFS). This year the event will be held at the Haddam-Killingworth High School (HKHS) on Sunday, October 25th and will be COVID compliant. The programs we run are needed now more than ever so we hope you and your family members will join us this year.
Moving to HKHS means the race will start and finish on the track and be much flatter that the traditional 5K route. We will also incorporate many current safety measures including a rolling start to promote social distancing, three race start times to limit the number of runners and volunteers on site at any given time, increased hand sanitizer and washing stations, touchless food & drink options. Although the event this year will look different, our goals haven’t changed and the event will be fun, and safe for participants, sponsors, and volunteers.
This year preregistration is required. Contact www.jbsports.com/hk-pumpkin-run to sign up or call us at the office to learn more (860.345.7498)
