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.

Peer Leaders (Grs 6-8), Wednesday, January 25

Grade 5 Leaders Club, Thursday, January 26

Both club meetings are at Monmouth Court Community Center (26 Monmouth Ct) at 5:30-7:00 pm

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

This NEW program meets once a month at the Elementary school from 2:25—3:30 pm. Students are taught social, emotional, and leadership skills in a fun, educational    program that is age appropriate. The program includes topics on making friends, self-esteem, communication and listening skills.  Snacks and recreation time are provided.

Leaders – Grades 3-5: Fee $65.00

Leaders (grades 3-5) meet once a month at their own school from 2:25 pm to 3:40 pm. This is a fun, educational program that addresses different topics each month and includes recreation time. Students are taught different skills including listening, communication, self-esteem, responsibility, respect and teamwork. Snacks and recreation time are provided.

Elementary Class Schedules:

BURNET HILL

COLLINS LYCS

HARRISON

HILLSIDE

MT. PLEASANT

RIKER HILL

Grade 5 Leaders Club: Fee $65.00

Leaders Grade 5 Club will meet once a month at Monmouth Court Community Center from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. There is a core curriculum and students choose additional topics of interest to them. Pizza and refreshments are provided. Recreation takes place in the game room at Monmouth Court.

Dates: 10/25, 11/30, 12/15; 1/24, 2/15, 3/22, 4/18, 5/22

Peer Leaders Club – Grades 6-8: Fee $65.00

Peer Leaders Club (grades 6-8) meet once a month at Monmouth Court Community Center from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. There is a core curriculum and students choose additional topics of interest to them. Students Adopt-a-Charity at the beginning of the school year, coordinate the Time 4 Teens Newsletter and have an End of Year Party at Funplex. Pizza and refreshments are provided. Recreation takes place in the game room at Monmouth Court.

Dates: 10/26, 11/29, 12/14; 1/26, 2/28, 3/21, 4/19, 5/23

End of Year Party at FUNPLEX in June (TBA).

Peer to Peer – Grades 9-12: Fee $65.00

Peer to Peer (grade 9-12) meet once a month at Monmouth Court Community Center for general meetings (5:30 pm to 7:00 pm). Peer to Peer is a student-led leadership program committed to an ATOD-free lifestyle (Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs). Students decide topics of interest, community service, and have an opportunity to participate in cross-age teaching, leadership training, and weekend at Camp Bernie (dates TBA). Pizza and refreshments are provided.

Dates: 10/24, 11/23, 12/22; 1/30, 2/29, 3/29, 4/25, 5/24, 6/18

Registration is now open for all of LYCS Leaders programs. Please make checks payable to: Township of Livingston

Click here to take survey

Photo from L to R: Front row – Anjali Pal, Antra Patel, Leo Thohumari, and Abby Aberenbak (Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter Outreach Coordinator); Back row – Sean Risch, Alivia Leon, Alizon Eglow, Marila Xie, and Rebecca Lin

LYCS Peer Leaders (grades 6-8) sent Valentine Kisses to the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter this Valentine’s. Giving a little love to our furry friends was top priority for students as they collected a variety of toys, tin food and treats for the dogs and cats at the shelter. Abby Berenbak, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter Outreach Coordinator, was on hand to receive the donations and talked to the students about her work at the shelter.

Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter is located at 194 Route 10 West, East Hanover behind Petsmart and is a no kill, nonprofit animal welfare organization that is 100% privately funded.   The organization provides exceptional care for homeless animals while promoting spaying/neutering, microchipping and humane education.  Mt. Pleasant’s mission is to place homeless cats and dogs in permanent, loving homes.  The Shelter is open to the public for adoptions Tuesday & Thursday from 12-7, Wednesday and Friday from 12-4 and Saturday and Sunday from 12-5.  For more information, please call 973-386-0590 or visit www.njshelter.org.

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).

Building on a successful shoe drive for charity last year when they lived in Secaucus, the Bansal family, now residing in Livingston, is hoping to exceed the 1200 pairs of shoes that they collected. “As a family, we feel it is important to contribute to the community, and help others in need,” said Avika, a student at Riker Hill Elementary, and member of LYCS Leaders. Avika got the idea for the shoe collection drive from reading stories of kids in leadership positions who were doing similar activities that benefited others. This time around Avika’s younger sister Anusha, is also joining the effort to collect NEW socks to go along with the shoes.

The Livingston community is invited to give the gift of shoes (and socks) by dropping off their donations at Riker Hill Elementary School, the Livingston Public Library, Monmouth Court Community Center, and the Senior Community Center (levels 1 & 2). The collection drive will begin on February 12th, 2011 and end on February 18th, 2011. The shoes will be distributed to more than 400 local shelters and orphanages by the John Wesley Methodist Church, in East Rutherford, NJ.

LYCS is a community-based, after-school program that teaches leadership, healthy life choices and life skills to students grades 3-12 in Livingston. LYCS encourages its Leaders to give-back to the community, and 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).

Pictured above: LYCS Leader Avika Bansal