Open to LYCS Leaders and their siblings. Parents/Guardians have the option of volunteering on the day, socializing or dropping off their child(ren) for pick-up at 3:30 pm. We ask that if the child is younger than Grade 3 that a parent/guardian stay and supervise them for safety reasons.

RSVP by Feb 9: lycs@livingstonnj.org so I know how many pizzas to order.

If you want to bring in VALENTINE KISSES for Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter (e.g., food/gifts for our furry, or feathered friends) we will be collecting them at the Sunday Social.

The Livingston Youth and Community Services (LYCS) Leaders Toys 4 Tots annual community campaign was a great success again this year!  These gifts of assortment of games, books, soft toys, dolls, action figures, art and painting supplies etc… were donated by the kind generosity of the Livingston community.  This collaborative project was spearheaded by LYCS Leaders and included the Heritage Middle School Student Council, and staff at the Town Hall, Senior Community Center, Monmouth Court Community Center, YMCA of Essex County, Livingston Public Library, and the West Essex Tribune’s office. These wonderful gifts brought holiday cheer to less fortunate children in Essex County.

The toys were distributed by the Mental Health Association of Essex County (MHAEC) to children who were most in need. Several different programs were able to take advantage of Livingston generosity, and used the toys and games to brighten up the holidays for many children. These included children served in the agency’s unified care management program and children from the Latino Outreach Program. Gifts were delivered to children seeking shelter with their homeless families, and to children engaged in mental health treatment. Whenever possible, gifts for the children were given to their moms and dads who in turn became a special “Santa” and delivered their gifts to their own children, helping to strengthen family bonds. In a time of economic difficulties and high unemployment, LYCS Leaders and the Livingston community displayed humanity, kindness and wonderful generosity, making this a holiday season to remember.

LYCS is a community-based, after-school program that teaches leadership, healthy life choices and life skills to students (gr 2-12) in Livingston. In addition, LYCS provides community service opportunities and community programming. Registration is ongoing throughout the year. For more information about our programs, please visit our website: www.livingstonlycs.org or email: lycs@livingstonnj.org. LYCS is a Township of Livingston: Senior, Youth and Leisure Services program and is funded in part by the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC).

Join us this Holiday season in collecting Toys4Tots for children in need. Please donate a new gift, wrapped or unwrapped. If wrapped please  label – boy, girl or unisex and age range of gift. Clean and gently used toys are also accepted.

Collection Baskets are at the following locations: Senior Community Center (204 Hillside Avenue),  Monmouth Court Community Center (26 Monmouth Ct), Livingston Public Library, West Essex YMCA, and the offices of West Essex Tribune

Last pick up dates for gifts is December 18, 2011

For more information, contact Susan Ridley, Program Supervisor – Community Services at 979-535-2646 or email lycs@livingstonnj.org

Open to all ages and talents.

Email lycs@livingstonnj.org if interested with Name, Age, and Talent, or call 973-535-2646.

LYCS will be spearheading a summer campaign to collect items for Hugs from Home for Troops serving in Afghanistan. The campaign deadline is February 4, 2011. Baskets will be placed at the Livingston Library; West Essex YMCA; Senior Community Center level one and level two; Monmouth Court Community Center; Livingston Main Fire Station; Livingston Public Schools and the West Essex Tribune Office. We will also be collecting Valentine cards and thank you notes for the soldiers to be included in the packages.

Items include:

Valentine Candy and cards 

Grooming and beauty items i.e. tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, shampoo & conditioner, feminine hygiene products, sanitizers, sunscreen, lip balm, or other toiletries

Food items in non-crushable packages i.e. oreos and other cookies, pringles potato chips, doritos, slim jim’s beef jerky etc…

Miscellaneous items i.e. word puzzles, cards, travel games, baseballs, frishbees, etc…

 Join us in bringing a little cheer to our troops.

Rachel Simmons is a bestselling author, educator and coach. She works internationally to develop strategies to address bullying and empower girls. She is co-founder of the Girl Leadership Institute and serves as a consultant to schools and organizations around the world. Rachel has appeared on Oprah, is a frequent contributor to the Today Show, and appears regularly in the national media.

Simmon’s work is guided by three core beliefs:
* A Connected Girl is a Happy Girl: Authentic, trusting relationships increase girls’ resilience and embolden them to feel confident, motivated and inspired. Simmons believes that when girls have the tools to choose the right relationships and manage conflict, incidences of bullying and aggression are reduced.
* Relationships are the “Fourth R”: Relationships are one of girls’ most important classrooms. Relationships are where girls learn the skills to express their needs, accommodate others, and take healthy risks, among other lessons. Her work gives girls tools to navigate the powerful social pressure to sacrifice one’s needs to make others happy. This kind of integrity and balance forms the foundation for success in all areas of life: school, sports and extracurricular activities – and later, the workplace and family.
* True Change Begins with Us: The Adults Invested in Girls’ Success. No matter how big your community – as big as a school, or as small as your family – we are all powerful teachers and must lead by example.

The Livingston Youth and Community Services (LYCS) Leaders Toys 4 Tots campaign was a great success with 25 white sacks filled with an assortment of games, toys, dolls, action figures, art and painting supplies, and more… donated by the kind generosity of the Livingston community. This collaborative project was spearheaded by LYCS Leaders and included the Heritage Middle School Student Council, and staff at the YMCA of Essex County, the Livingston Public Library, the Senior Community Center,  Monmouth Court Community Center, and the West Essex Tribune’s office. These wonderful gifts brought holiday cheer to less fortunate children in Essex County.

The toys were distributed by the Mental Health Association of Essex County (MHAEC) and several different programs were able to take advantage of Livingston generosity, and used the toys and games to brighten up the holidays for many children. These included children served in the agency’s unified care management program and children from the Latino Outreach Program. Gifts were delivered to children seeking shelter with their homeless families, and to children engaged in mental health treatment. Whenever possible, gifts for the children were given to their moms and dads who in turn became a special “Santa” and delivered their gifts to their own children, helping to strengthen family bonds.

In a time of economic difficulties and high unemployment, LYCS Leaders and the Livingston community displayed humanity, kindness and wonderful generosity. In all, 370 gifts were delivered, making this a holiday season to remember. LYCS is a community-based, after-school program that teaches leadership, healthy life choices and life skills to students (gr 3-12) in Livingston. In addition, LYCS provides community service opportunities and community programming. Registration is ongoing throughout the year. For more information about our programs, please visit our website: www.livingstonlycs.org or email: lycs@livingston.org. LYCS is a Township of Livingston: Senior, Youth and Leisure Services program and is funded in part by the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC).

Join us this Holiday season in collecting Toys4Tots for children in need. Please donate a gift, wrapped or unwrapped, with a label – boy, girl or unisex and age range of gift. Clean and gently used toys are also accepted.

Collection Baskets are at the following locations: Senior Community Center (204 Hillside Avenue), level 1 and 2, Monmouth Court Community Center (26 Monmouth Ct), Livingston Public Library, West Essex YMCA, and the offices of West Essex Tribune

Last pick up dates for gifts is December 20, 2010

For more information, contact Susan Ridley, Program Supervisor – Community Services at 979-535-2646 or email lycs@livingston.org