What is Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance?
Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance is a volunteer driven, community-based, organization committed to the prevention and reduction of juvenile delinquency, child neglect and child abuse through community involvement. Volunteers work with a professional staff person to plan and sponsor programs for children and their families within the Brandon School District area. BGYA offers a variety of services including casework services by staff from Oakland County Youth Assistance. Local Youth Assistance primary prevention programs strengthen youth and families in the areas of youth recognition, parent and family education, shoplifting prevention education, camp and skill building scholarships, as well as mentoring programs. Brandon Township, Groveland Township, the Village of Ortonville, Brandon Schools, and the Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division sponsor and provide funding for the Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance. The Oakland county Board of Commissioners makes funding available through the Family Division. Local sponsors contribute financially to provide for office operational expenses as well as help fund and provide in-kind services for programs. In addition, we solicit donations from the community for our programs for Brandon area youth and their families.
Location & Contact
The BGYA program has a local office, located at 209 Varsity Drive, Ortonville, MI 48462 Phone: (248) 627-6445, or (248) 627-1800 ext 1717
Forms
- Oakland County Youth Assistance Program Referral
- Youth Recognition Nomination Form
- Skill Building (Student Enrichment) Application
- Camp Referral
- Skill Building Scholarship Policy
- Check Request Form
- Annual Report
- Informational Presentation
How Do We Operate?
BGYA programs are community based and developed by volunteers who live and/or work in the Brandon School District area. A caseworker from Oakland County Youth Assistance provides free, confidential, short term, family-centered counseling and referral services to youth and their families.
Who Makes Youth Assistance Referrals?
BGYA is an affiliate of the Oakland County Youth Assistance, which is administered under the auspices of the Oakland county Probate County/Circuit Court Family Division. Referrals are accepted from parents, legal guardians, other concerned adults, schools, community agencies, police, and the Family Division. Permission from the parent/legal guardian is required for a youth to receive services. To make a referral and/or consult with the local Youth Assistance Caseworker, Fred Morden, or contact the local YA office.
Committees and Programs
BGYA is seeking people who live and/or work in the community to volunteer to help with programs and projects for youth and families. It seeks to have a cross-section of our community represented as local citizen volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are available in all of our programs as well as in the areas of public relations, event planning, membership recruitment, fund raising and grant writing.
Board of Directors
The Board has direct responsibilities for our operation, administrating the organization, coordinating and implementing of programs as well as policy making.
Youth Recognition
Each year, as event is held to recognize youth in our community who have become involved in volunteer work or outstanding service. Nominations come from schools, the faith community, private citizens, and others for youth’s contributions to our community. Nomination Form can be printed out and faxed to our office at (248)627-8952, or mailed to 209 Varsity Drive, Ortonville, MI 48462. Form will be posted when dates are selected in the Spring of 2010.
STARS: Student Tutorial and Reading Sessions
STARS is an after-school reading support program that targets grades 2 through 6. It utilizes certified staff and volunteer support from the community.
Camp/Skill Building
Scholarships are granted to children, who otherwise would not have a chance to experience camping or enrichment activities due to financial, social, emotional, or other needs.
Family Education
This committee facilitates ongoing community based parent and family education programs which enable parents to acquire skills that will assist them in communicating and understanding their children. These programs provide a means for families to gain strength and learn effective parenting skills, helping parents become more aware of their own values, expectations, ways they interact with family members, and learning new ways to handle problem situations. Parenting Seminars: Call Fred Morden for information on future seminars.
Mentors Plus
Youngsters, ages 5 to 16, are matched with adult volunteers from our community. Each adult volunteer serves as a guide, role model, but best of all, a special friend to the child, who has been identified as need this special attention.
Shoplifting Prevention
This program educates youngsters about retail fraud and larceny, emphasizing potential consequences on oneself, one’s future and society.