Quarterly Newsletter
October 12th, 2023
Message from the Director
It is with deep gratitude that I send this message. I hope you will enjoy reading this second edition of our AYFS Newsletter.
I am honored and humbled to lead this amazing organization. Each and every day, I witness acts of compassion and kindness that make a positive difference in the lives of people who come through our doors. It is the gentleman who had never needed to use a food pantry before, embarrassed, but who expressed after his visit here, "the staff person greeted me with a warm smile, walked me through the process without judgement, listening to my concerns and I was able to get a variety of fresh foods and staples to help my family." It is the Mom who comes in, stressed that she does not have enough money in her budget to purchase a warm coat for herself or warm clothes for her children. She is relieved and delighted to find a brand new jacket that fits and several warm items for the children in the clothing closet, or the teen who leaves his counseling session feeling "lighter" because he had a "safe" place to talk about worries. It is these comments and others that speak so clearly to the impact AYFS has on families in Auburn.
We continue to be "heart-warmed" by the generosity of the Auburn community. Food drives, clothing and personal care donations, generate goods that help meet the increasing needs of families. This enables us to continue to provide basic needs to lessen the stress on families in need. We are so thankful to everyone who brought in and continues to donate items to help.
Finally, I am blessed to be surrounded by a great team of professionals. The AYFS Team is "small but mighty" and is made up of staff, student interns, volunteers, Board Members and Advisory Members. They are creative, caring, hardworking, and passionate about the work we do. We work as a unified group, always focused on our mission: supporting families through empowerment and community collaboration. I am thankful for our team's support and their wisdom and for the opportunity to serve the community of Auburn.
Respectfully,
Sally D'Arcangelo
AYFS Executive Director
Bryn Mawr & Pakachoag Schools' Captains of Kindness
Students collected personal care items and donated them to AYFS...THANK YOU!
AYFS Staff from the Annual Meeting
This team of professionals provides support to SO many across the Auburn community
Thanks to Chuck's for their Generosity Over the Years
As the owners of Chuck's Steakhouse prepared to retire and thus close the doors one final time after 46 years in Auburn, they supported AYFS one more time - they've been SO GENEROUS over the years - and we so appreciated their kindness! The original wooden menus were sold, with Chuck's donating $2,100 to AYFS which we, in turn, will use to support those in need across the Auburn community. THANK YOU, Chuck's, and wishing you all much health, happiness and success in your next adventures!
AYFS Employee Spotlight: Brenna Meindersma
A regular feature of our newsletter will be to shine a spotlight on a staff member and this time we'll focus on Brenna Meindersma. We think you'll love her just as much as we do!
Brenna graduated from Lesley University with a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling, having specialized in Dance/Movement Therapy. She has prior experience working with school-aged clients with ADHD, DMDD, autism, anxiety, depression, and OCD. Brenna is the primary counselor for the school-based services we provide. She has clients at AHS, AMS, and is currently running a group at SWIS for children with anxiety. In addition, she will soon be starting a social skills/play group at Bryn Mawr School. Brenna also sees clients at the agency.
Brenna took and passed the LMHC test last summer and is currently getting all the hours and documentation needed to be fully licensed, thus soon thereafter beginning the credentialing process. In July 2024, Brenna will celebrate her 2-year anniversary at AYFS and we feel so blessed to have her on our team!
Brenna is an awesome addition to our team. Brenna enjoys dancing, having taught many summer dance programs, and was recently in a theatre production at Theatre 3 in Acton. She lives in Leominster with her husband, Andrew, and their rescue cat, Beefaroni. "I love working at AYFS because of the opportunity to work with so many members of the community. I enjoy working with so many different populations. My clients are all so wonderful and I enjoy helping them grow and reach their goals."
We are so lucky to have Brenna on the AYFS Team and we hope you enjoyed the opportunity to meet her!
Annual Appeal: Won't You Consider Making a Donation
Auburn Youth and Family Services is able to provide support to those in need across the Auburn community largely due to the generosity of donors. Our 2024 goal is to raise $100K and thus far we have collected a little over $65,000, so won't you please consider making a donation?
To make a donation, please click the button below labeled, "Click Here to Make Your Donation to the Annual Appeal." If you prefer, you can mail your check, made payable to Auburn Youth & Family Services, directly to AYFS at 21 Pheasant Court, Auburn, MA 01501. THANK YOU!!
AYFS by the Numbers: See Where Your Donations Go!
Would you believe that 197 Thanksgiving Holiday Baskets were distributed, positively impacting 525 people from across Auburn, helping to brighten their holiday.
Over Christmas, 97 families were part of our holiday gift giving program, positively impacting 170 children. In addition to gifts for the children, families received a gift card for a ham or a meat of their choice to brighten their holiday, with all children having received stockings filled with candy and toys.
Counseling services provide much-needed mental health supports to impacted students, with 21 Auburn High students and 9 Auburn Middle students benefitting. At SWIS, 5 students are supported in an anti-anxiety group consisting of third, fourth and fifth graders.
In addition to providing counseling supports in the schools, in FY23 alone, 216 clients were supported through AYFS staff members. Clients being supported through a variety of stressors including anxiety, depression, self harm, self esteem, identity/LGBTQIA+, selective mutism, divorce, ADHD, emotional expression,conflict resolution, motivation, and organization.
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." - Maya Angelou
Incredible generosity from across the Auburn community
The holidays for 170 children were brightened thanks to our many donors!
Casino Night: We Hope to See You There!
Quotes from Clients Who Benefit from AYFS' Counseling
As shared in the November 2023 newsletter, we are sharing additional comments from clients who have benefitted from services provided by AYFS, believing it's critically important that you see evidence of your donations being put to good use. We simply could not do this work without your support!
"I enjoy going to therapy, it helps me talk, and it makes me feel safe to talk about things I sometimes don't talk about."
"My child is managing anxiety better. I can't thank you enough for all your work. We are seeing a difference."
"The interns and staff have consistently attended, provide helpful feedback and ongoing communication. Thank you for being an integral part of our team."
(comment from an administrator in the Auburn Schools)
"I love my counselor."
"Marie (Dr. Sandoli) is always so caring and attentive to any issue I am having. I feel so comfortable coming here!"
Carrying on a Tradition Started by their Dad, Don Packard
Carrying on a tradition and brightening Easter for so many!! The late Don Packard’s family recently dropped off Easter Baskets they had prepared. Pictured here is Don’s son, Kevin, and Gabrielle. Don’s family purchased the items - including stuffed animals, candy, coloring books and crayons - and put the 100 Easter baskets together, ready to brighten the Easter holiday for many children. Truly a labor of love! THANK YOU for carrying on your wonderful Dad’s tradition!
PAPA GINO'S FUNDRAISER: 1st Wednesday of Every Month
Please follow the directions on the flyer - which is always posted to the AYFS Facebook page - and 205 of qualifying purchases will be donated to AYFS so we can continue to support those in need across the Auburn community. THANK YOU!