COUNTY — Want to make sure a Youth Guidance child goes back to school in style? The Youth Guidance Mentoring & Activities Program is conducting its inaugural Back-to-School Polo Shirt Drive to help the families of its 700 K-12 at-risk kids provide them with the uniforms our local schools require. The agency is seeking plain white or navy blue collared polo shirts, in long or short sleeves, to help children comply with the school dress codes that have been adopted in most Indian River County schools. Shirts without a logo or emblem are preferred; all sizes are needed. If you are interested in donating one or more polo shirts, please drop them off at the Youth Guidance office by Monday, Aug. 17. The office is located in the County Extension building, 1028 20th Place, Vero Beach, across from City Hall on Westbound State Road 60 between 10th and 11th avenues. Donations of money and gift cards are also welcome.
The Youth Guidance Mentoring & Activities Program serves 700 K-12 at-risk children who live in low-income single-parent homes. Opportunities abound for members of the community to volunteer with Youth Guidance as an ongoing mentor, as a one-time companion of a child at special events that occur throughout the year, or helping in the office on a regular basis. The monthly newsletter found at the Youth Guidance Web site, www.ircyouth.com, tells about upcoming activities.
The agency also needs music-loving volunteers to help with a new children’s singing group being formed this summer. Donations of any amount are welcome now and throughout the year to support summer camp and other Youth Guidance programs, including cultural, educational and recreational opportunities, tutoring services, and college scholarships.
Persons interested in learning more about mentoring a child, volunteering at Youth Guidance, or donating to the Summer Camp and Activity Fund may visit the www.ircyouth.com website or call Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director, at (772) 770-5040 for further information.