HKYFS Programs and Events for October 2024

Submitted by Allison Behnke, HKYFS

(October 1, 2024) — At Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services, we envision a connected community where youth and families are resilient and feel safe, supported and empowered.  Check out what we have coming up in October and November:

Girls Talk II:   An Evening Out for Girls and Their Female Caregivers

Pro-tip: if you love playing with glue sticks, cutting paper, and making something marvelously meaningful, this is the program for you!

Girls Talk II will provide a fun night out for girls in grades 4-7 to spend with their mom or female caregiver, and to connect with others in sisterhood. This highly interactive workshop will give everyone an opportunity to explore the various aspects of whole wellness, as well as fostering healthy relationships through conversation and creative art-based activity.

Please note: Girls Talk II is the follow-up to Girls Talk Puberty Edition from the spring. This is a stand-alone program. You do not need to have gone to a previous Girls Talk Puberty Edition, but we will be offering that talk again in the Spring.

This program is on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Old Middle School Gym (RSD 17 Central Office). Dinner, very cool take-aways, and gift bags will be provided.

Collaborative Problem Solving: Parent/Caregiver Class

Struggling to understand your child’s behavior? Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS), owned and developed by Think:Kids (www.thinkkids.org) at Massachusetts General Hospital, is a non-punitive, evidence-based, trauma-informed approach effective in all systems and at home.  This six-week course will help parents and caregivers develop a new understanding of challenging behavior and ways to support their children every day.  Caregivers will learn effective ways to reduce conflict and rethink conventional approaches to behavioral difficulties.   This can help strengthen relationships and provide support from other parents.

This course is appropriate for parents with children of all ages. Classes are free and start on November 7, 2024.  The first session meets in person at Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate/Middle School; the remaining sessions meet online.  The first session includes dinner and childcare if needed.

For details, or to register for either of these programs, visit www.hkyfs.org  Spaces are limited.

Fall Festival 

Halloween is coming and we are gearing up for a “SPOOKTACULAR” last weekend of October!  On October 26, 2024 HKYFS is thrilled to be partnering with other vibrant community members and organizations to bring Trunk or Treat, Kids Activity Fair, and an Outdoor Family Movie to Grim’s Haunted House from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the former Haddam Elementary School.

We need your help!   In order to provide fabulous Trunk or Treat volunteers with enough candy to pass out to our wonderful Trick Or Treaters, we are asking the community to help us gather candy.   Bins for donated bags of candy are located at Liberty Bank, Nutmeg Pharmacy, The Truck Bar, and Haddam Town Office Building.  Thank you!

Pumpkin Run 2024

Only two weeks left to get the early bird price for this year’s Pumpkin Run!   On October 27, 2024, runners and walkers will lace up their sneakers to enjoy a scenic 5K run, two-mile walk or a Kids Fun Run.  This year’s Pumpkin Run highlights include a costume contest, tee shirts for the first 250 registered, custom medals for finishers, live music, and so much more!  Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors and community organizations who are making this event possible.   Check out the details at www.hkyfs.org