Programs
In collaboration with community partners, CASA offers no-cost, safe, inclusive programming with opportunities to build resiliency, foster social emotional learning skills, and address mental health needs for youth and families. Through outreach and initiatives, we aim to empower youth to actively engage in their communities and to reach their full potential.
List of Programming
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Through a Department of Early Education and Care (DESE) grant to address summer learning loss and effects of COVID, CASA received a competitive grant for our middle school youth. Using a social emotional skill building curriculum, CASA offered a summer program for middle schoolers to work on leadership skills. Youth worked together to run weekly community events, mentor students at the Cummings School and work on leadership curriculum.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
The middle school youth needed a positive program that allowed them to be leaders and learn skills they missed during COVID. Youth that participated showed positive outcomes such as positive peer relationships, confidence, problem solving skills, a sense of belonging and increase in SEL skills.
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Each summer, through a grant funded by MassPort, a select number of youth in Winthrop are offered the opportunity to work for CASA in creating peer-led, community based programs, that focus on CASA’s mission and goal of primary prevention in youth.
How does it benefit youth in Winthrop?
Working at CASA is a first job for many youth in Winthrop. The youth staff is able to enter the job force in a low stake, low stress environment while working with their peers, learning creative problem-solving skills, and becoming adjusted to a new set of responsibilities that come with a paying job.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
This summer job program funded by MassPort strengthens Winthrop’s youth. CASA and the children of Winthrop directly benefit from the relationship with MassPort, one of the largest employers in the region. While our community is often reminded of the negative affects of Logan Airport, CASA is grateful that the community partners at MassPort continuously fund this initiative.
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CASA youth has planned, organized and provided multiple community events for FREE over the years. The youth want to offer peers and families a chance to come together and enjoy various events. Some events include: family movies on the big screen, laser tag, animal shows and a carnival with games.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
This is a youth led program. The CASA youth plan all the events for their peers and younger children in our community. All events are FREE so everyone can attend.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Winthrop is a beautiful community. Community events are a big part of the town. CASA youth acknowledge that, even more now with COVID. Allowing youth to be involved and provide these opportunities help support future leaders.
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CASA Youth Leaders learn about complex issues and present what they’ve learned to other youth and community members in general. One example is a Privilege Beads Exercise. For each advantage a participant has around ability, class, gender/sex, race, sexuality, etc., the participant adds a bead to a pipe cleaner to represent that privilege. The completed string of beads serves as a visual demonstration of the participant’s privilege.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
CASA’s peer led education empowers youth to master an understanding of complex societal issues well enough to teach such topics to others.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Winthrop benefits from youth who are self-aware and self-confident in educating their peers and other members of the community.
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As Winthrop’s only primary prevention focused non-profit, CASA is proud of its community partnership with the Winthrop Police Department. The WPD and CASA have been strong allies and have worked together critically for many years in order to tackle some of our community’s most pressing issues facing our youth.
What was it?
Over the years, CASA has worked with the WPD to develop positive relationships between the youth and the Department through many initiatives including: “Pizza with Cops”, a Podcast, and Narcan Awareness Trainings. CASA is extremely grateful to be able to rely on the WPD to volunteer and help out with youth programming efforts when needed.
How does this benefit youth?
In a day and age where national news cycles often times report negative stories on relationships between law enforcement and the communities, CASA is proud to be able to build positive relationships with the WPD and the youth of Winthrop in order to provide a space where youth can form their own thoughts and opinions of how law enforcement officers affect our Town. By introducing youth to role models in the department, these positive relationships are fostered early on.
How does this benefit Winthrop?
Through its relationship with CASA, the WPD is able to exhibit the community work of some of its finest employees in a positive, low stress, and often times, in fun and exciting opportunities. Relationships with organizations like CASA allows the Police Department to get to know the youth of the Town on a more personal and informal basis. The WPD can also fulfill state level community service requirements through relationships with organizations like CASA.
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What was it?
Haunted house was a fun, entertaining event where youth can experience halloween fun in a safe,easily accessible, and recognizable environment.
How does it serve the youth in Winthrop?
Haunted house keeps the youth who participate in running it creative, and the youth who go through it joyful and safe.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
It is important, especially in a close-knit community like Winthrop to have events that get the community together.
“It was fun seeing the children react to the actors and homemade script.”
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The collaboration between CASA and Winthrop public schools, students, parents and faculty are happy to have CASA’s involvement to further engage with everyone to better improve health and wellness. Wellness Week advocates for and educates students, faculty and parents about mental and physical health resources while discussing different aspects of health each day of the week.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
The youth get to learn about resources to aid them in certain mental or physical health needs as well as getting helpful information and activities to practice healthy habits. As well, the best part is that they can sign up to be a part of the youth advisory board if they choose to, outside of the festivities of wellness week.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
The town is small with a large demographic of youth that come from different backgrounds with different aspirations and worries. They need a place to go or someone they can trust with issues that feel too much for them alone. The resources and skills learned from wellness week help them feel that their community is in support of them outside of school related activities.
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In order to offer as much support as possible for it’s program participants, all CASA youth programming is overseen by a clinical social worker. CASA programming offers educational opportunities and conversations based on a variety of public health related topics. All program activities, materials and themes are approved in advance and safety plans are put in place to ensure CASA is a safe and appropriate environment. All staff also meet with the Clinical Director to prepare for activities, review any concerns and brainstorm ways to support the specific needs of program participants. An additional benefit of having clinical representation in the CASA space is that youth have direct access to a referral source for additional therapeutic services when applicable.
How does it benefit Winthrop?
For many youth in the Winthrop community, getting access to therapeutic services is difficult. As many have learned through the COVID pandemic, there are often long waits and insurance road blocks that make getting services to those in need extra challenging. Having a Clinical Coordinator as part of our staff allows extra support to a vulnerable population. Being able to offer programming that discusses such sensitive public health topics with clinical oversight ensures program participants the space to appropriately discuss and process difficult and often complicated topics. Having these hot button conversations better prepares youth for the road to adulthood increasing their likelihood for healthy decision making and problem solving capabilities.
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While CASA does have paid staff to pave the way for the organization, much of the community work over the past 25 years has been completed by CASA’s strong coalition of volunteers. CASA is thankful for everyone who has made a positive impact, small or large, on the organization; your time and efforts do not go unrecognized! Over the years, CASA has solicited the work of volunteers for many of its community events, seminars with youth, and visioning efforts on the Board of Directors. The CASA Board is an unpaid collection of community volunteers, advocates and leaders.
How does it benefit youth?
Volunteers at CASA save the organization the financial expense of operating programs and events which means that a higher percentage of the CASA budget can do directly to the youth and can be used in other methods that are most impactful for youth development. By working with volunteers, the CASA youth are able to learn first hand from community leaders, the value of volunteerism and what it means to give back to the community.
How does it benefit Winthrop?
Winthrop is a strong tight-knit community that takes pride in its youth. By offering flexible volunteer opportunities, the people of Winthrop are able to give back and make a meaningful impact on our Town’s children. CASA also provides volunteer opportunities for high school and college students that need to record hours in order to graduate.
“As a volunteer Board Member at CASA, I have been able to grow, develop, and challenge myself under very unique and rewarding circumstances. I have grown a deeper passion and love for the Town of Winthrop while at the same time, working with my colleagues on the Board, the staff at CASA, and the youth to tackle some of our Town’s most pressing public health issues. I am proud of all of the work that CASA has accomplished from my time benefitting as a youth all the way to now in my capacity as a Board Member.”
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Youth may volunteer at CASA for various programs to earn community service hours they may need to fulfill school or other requirements.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Winthrop is a relatively small community and there may not be as many opportunities for volunteering as there may be in a larger community.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
CASA provides a safe and local place for youth to fulfill meaningful community service hours that benefit not just the organization but the entire community. Community service volunteers have learned valuable lessons that have benefitted them in future endeavors.
“CASA has given me a group of like-minded people to work with, and overall helped me become integrated into the community of Winthrop, showing me how to effectively contribute to the community.”
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Youth-driven COVID 19 Public Health Video Campaign to help prevent the spread of the virus in our community
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
It helped youth play a role in affecting the public health of our community and gave them the opportunity to engage adult key stakeholders and community leaders in their town.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
It helped support best practices in public health during unprecedented and critical times in our town and nation’s history.
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Since its inception as a 501(c)3 non-profit, CASA has had a committed, non-paid Board of Directors supporting the mission of the organization and its staff and youth participants.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Youth in Winthrop benefit from adults in the community who value them enough to support an organization that provides them with a safe place to explore complex societal issues.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
There are many ways for adults to be involved in the Winthrop community. CASA’s Board of Directors support of youth programming that focuses on the health, safety and welfare adds a necessary layer of protection for our younger community members.
“As a person who has long been an advocate of youth in Winthrop, I see my role as a member of the CASA Board of Directors as a way to continue offering caring concern in helping to provide services to benefit the leaders of our future.”
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CASA is a resource for helping to bring tools to the community and its organizational partners. Trainings like Mental Health First Aid, Creating Safe Spaces, and QPR Suicide Prevention are just a few recent ones we have offered. We also offer trainings for youth as well as school administrators.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
More people in Winthrop are better equipped to serve youth with best practices and create a community that supports and nurtures its youth to help build resilience.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
It gives Winthrop free access to tools to improve services for young people.
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A free and fun safe space for middle schoolers to drop-in after school to learn, hang out, and make new friends from the Winthrop community.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Middle School Day provides fun, easy, and insightful activities which create a safe environment for middle schoolers to hang out and develop skills.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
CASA covers topics such as safe and happy relationships and coping mechanisms which school does not. It is important for kids to have the opportunity to discuss these things in a safe environment.
“ I love how welcoming the space is and how safe I feel every time walk through the door.”
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A place to hang out with high school-aged youth who are going through similar teenage experiences in school and in the community.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
It is a safe space to spend time outside of school and home where youth can be unequivocally themselves and hang out with or engage in activities with peers.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
High School Day welcomes any high school-aged kids and increases protective factors for teenagers in Winthrop.
“It’s a great way to meet new people and get volunteering hours.”
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A group for queer youth in Winthrop.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
It gives the queer youth a place to feel welcome and be themselves without judgement. Themed activities, and discussions are tailored towards LGBTQ+ specific issues. The LGBTQ+ identifying youth who attend Q-club have the opportunities to lead discussions and presentations focused on these topics.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Many of the youth feel that they need a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth in Winthrop, so Q-club is really important as it is one of those few spaces.
“ I had fun bonding with others educating people on lgbtq issues.”
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Men's Group is a space for high school aged male-identifying youth to come together and bond. Along with eating pizza and playing video games, the guys also tackle big questions about masculinity, and how we can be the best men we can be.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Men’s group addresses toxic masculinity in the community by discussing and grappling with how male community members can use their masculinity to prevent and curb the risk of violence amongst men and boys in Winthrop.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Winthrop has many masculine activities (i.e. sports) embedded into its culture. While these activities are important and beneficial to the community, they also tend to promote some unhealthy tendencies amongst boys (i.e. violence).
“It gives a non-judgemental space to share emotions due to the thought-provoking questions we discuss over [different forms of] entertainment.”
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A place where young students who identify as female can come together and participate in an engaging empowerment curriculum to support the power of women’s voices in the community. The program is designed to develop practices that include mindfulness, self-compassion, navigating conflict, and identifying values, beliefs, and biases.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Wonder Women helps empower young women, and the group acts as a strong protective factor against risks that female identifying youth are particularly vulnerable to.
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A Community Coalition that works together to address gaps in services for youth. We use the Strategic Prevention Framework to create positive change in Winthrop. We work to engage all different sectors of the community to join us in working to bolster protective factors to reduce risk.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
We work to help youth serving agencies and other community stakeholders work together to share resources and create cohesive systems to make sure no youth are falling through the cracks.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Nobody working for youth and families in Winthrop is working in a silo. Our community is a team working together to make Winthrop more conducive to healthy behaviors and lower risk.
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In partnership with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the Winthrop Police Department and the Winthrop School Department, the Community Diversion and Intervention (CDI) program offers middle school and high school youth an alternative to school suspension or court involvement. Participating in the CDI program allows youth to receive therapeutic support services, educational seminars and community service opportunities with the overall goal of helping youth develop strategies to make positive decisions. With the completion of the program, the youth’s discipline action with the police department or school department will be waived.
How does this service benefit Winthrop?
Having an alternative to being out or school or involved in the criminal justice system allows youth to learn from their mistakes without facing life changing consequences. With more positive experiences, program participants can strengthen their skill set to be more successful, healthy and contributing adults.
“Being an adolescent in today’s world is challenging. There are many trials and tribulations for growing youth to navigate. Mistakes happen, but the learning opportunity available with the CDI program allows youth to strengthen self-confidence, learn new problem solving techniques and make healthier decisions for themselves without facing life changing consequences.”
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Youthworks is a Soft Skills - Career Readiness Program for high school students.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
The Program is offered during the school year and summer for FREE. Youth that participate in the program receive a certificate in Career Readiness, Certification in CPR & First Aid, a Certificate in Compass Leadership, Community Service hours and support building their resume to work towards a job shadow placement or afterschool/summer job.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
Youth want and need support from caring adults while gaining skills, confidence, problem solving skills, and working on positive relationships with peers and adults in order to feel successful. High school students are struggling with what's next after high school, even more now with COVID. This program encourages our youth to figure that out with multiple supports in place. Many community members are involved and the WHS is very supportive.
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Our Youth Staff who also serve as our youth leadership branch of our organization.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
It gives youth an opportunity to have a leadership role where they also will learn important skills and experience having a job.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
The Youth Advisory Board is a group of trained public health peer leaders that specialize in youth development and help to implement all the programing of the organization, while helping to drive the work we do as a whole. This group can give important perspective to the work we aim to do. We can not implement services for people without including them in the process. These youth create buy-in for our programming and for a healthier winthrop.
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A weekly Friday Night program where the Winthrop Police Department opens the old Middle School Gym for Middle School students to come play for free. CASA comes with youth staff to set up other programming to engage those who are not interested in playing basketball.
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
Middle School Youth in Winthrop are too young to have cars and get out of town to hang out with friends but too old to be inside with parents and guardians at their houses and so we see them hanging out in large groups with no place to go and feel welcome. This helps get them into a place where they can have fun under supervision while creating new trusted relationships with police and community based programs.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
It provides Middle School-aged youth with a safe, free space to go during higher risk hours.
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The Prevention Needs Assessment (PNA) and is an evidenced-based data collection tool used in partnership with CASA and the Winthrop Public Schools. The (PNA) is offered to middle school and high school students of WPS to gauge risk and protective factors, particularly measuring the need for prevention services among youth in the areas of substance misuse, delinquency, antisocial behavior, and violence.
How does it benefit Winthrop?
For youth participating in the survey, it gives them a voice to describe their experiences and needs. The results of the data are shared with the community through a presentation from CASA, publicized in the newspaper as well as throughout social media platforms. Community leaders can use results from the data to identify service gaps, boost programming youth identify as supportive, implement helpful initiatives and apply for grant opportunities.
“Over the years, the PNA data collection has been very helpful to the Winthrop community. Not only does it help us, as a community have a better understanding what supports our youth need, but it also helps us understand what we are doing right by our young population. To see these needs and benefits compared across our region, state-wide and even nationally, we are better equipped as a community to prepare our youth for the larger world.”
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A group formed to address social inequality, mainly in Winthrop
How does it serve Youth in Winthrop?
It educates the Winthrop youth about social justice issues and gives them the tools to create a social movement that initiates tangible change within the Winthrop community.
Why is it important to Winthrop?
It gives youth a voice and a chance to have their voices heard within the community, as well as take real leadership positions not just within CASA, but throughout Winthrop.
“It was inclusive and helped me feel like I was making a difference in the community.”
Sign up for Programs
If you or your child are interested in joining a CASA program, let us know! Use our online form below to provide us with information to sign up for any of our free programs.