LYA
CHILDREN ARE OUR BUSINESS
The Lee Youth Association has been serving children and families in Lee and the surrounding communities for over twenty-two years. Affecting over fifteen hundred individuals, the LYA provides a broad range of programs designed to meet the continually changing needs of the community. From basketball and gymnastics to preschool and drop-in child care, LYA programs enhance the quality of life for the entire community.
 
In order for parents to work during the day without having to worry about their children, many children attend the LYA from 6:30 in the morning in our wake-up program until 5:30 in the evening when we close. Many more school-age children arrive at the LYA by bus from either Lee Elementary School or Lee Middle and High School. These children, pre-teens and teens will participate in well supervised activities until their parents leave work and are able to pick them up. Being at the LYA is a much better and safer situation than children staying home alone!
 
Over 100 children in grades K-8 participate in our gymnastics program during the fall and winter seasons.
 

Nearly 400 children in grades K-8 play basketball on more than 35 teams in our community basketball leagues. With the assistance of more than 90 volunteers who help with coaching, scoring and officiating the league has grown into one of the most successful programs in Berkshire County. In part, the success of the players on the Lee High girls' and boys' basketball teams can be traced back to years of participation in the LYA community basketball program.

The LYA also sponsors a two week basketball camp in the summer for middle school and high school students and a biddy-baseball league in the spring for those children who are still too young for farm team.
 
Due to the size of our center and the number of children who participate in our programs we have been restricted in the ways that we can expand programming. Outreach services such as our Latino Support and Adjustment Counseling programs do not require much space but have a significant impact on the community. For years our Latino support services have helped new Latino families in Berkshire County.
 
Working with the schools and families in Lee, our adjustment counselor helps children who are experiencing behavioral, social and academic difficulties. A very large percent of the counselor's time is spent in the schools meeting with anywhere from 70 to 75 children each week. This program is unique in the fact that the counselor is employed by the LYA and not the schools, so it does not cost any tax dollars for families to receive this valuable service.
 
THANK YOU
For many years the LYA has received support from a variety of sources in Lee and Berkshire County. In Lee, the school department has allowed the LYA to use their facilities for many programs including basketball and gymnastics. The Town of Lee has not only supported the LYA financially but has also helped with many other in-kind services. Also, for a number of years, the Berkshire United Way has played an important role by its support of specific LYA programs. Through their support, the Toole Agency, William Noonan, Lee Kiwanis, area corporations, small businesses and individuals have all been instrumental in insuring that LYA services will be available for children and families in the community. The recent changes in the economy have affected funding patterns making it more difficult to raise money. This is why the LYA needs your continued support and the support of the entire community. As always, Thank You!!
 
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