United Way launches new youth initiatives in Plainville

This article is the second of a six-part series written about the United Way of West Central Connecticut, serving the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth, demonstrating its impact on “what matters.”

Youth Matters
By: Jeanette Galván

When the United Way of West Central Connecticut transformed to its new business model, it maintained what it had done previously, and created another way to help more people as well as improve the community. United Way volunteers identified three areas in which to focus: youth, seniors and basic needs. The second article of this series will focus on a youth initiative and demonstrate how it has helped shape this community.

As part of United Way’s new model change, Plainville launched “Kids in the Middle” (KIM). The initiative’s primary focus is on middle school age youth and their transition from childhood to young adulthood. Lindsey Matteo, KIM Coordinator for Plainville, has organized a number of groups for youth, such as yoga and construction clubs. “There are many different groups and programs, so we can have a larger and more diverse group of kids,” said Matteo.

This initiative not only connects youth to each other but also to their community. “KIM gives middle school children more opportunities to be involved,” said Roberta Brown of Plainville Youth Services. These opportunities teach the students self-worth, respect and how to work with others. It provides a way for youth who are not normally involved with school or community activities to be a part of a group.

The Adopt-a-Fifth Grader Program was developed at the Middle School of Plainville as a result of KIM. The middle school students came up with the idea to pair themselves as buddies with fifth graders. They hosted two “get-to-know-you” parties, met the fifth graders during their orientation, went on the tour with them to answer additional questions, and planned a “Back-To-School” picnic for the start of the new school year. Due to the program’s success, KIM students plan to adopt more fifth graders next spring.

The positive results from KIM are far-reaching. The students gain confidence, understand cooperation and have better relations with their teachers, friends and the community. Due to this initiative, more youth are connected with the community than ever before. “The level of growth in the past year was great. It has impacted the school community because more kids are involved,” said Matteo.

The ideal goal for KIM is to affect the community in a positive way. “My vision would be for all kids to be connected in some way. I hope more kids have more opportunities through KIM,” said Brown.

Through these programs and others in the future, Plainville is on the right path to helping more youth in the community – because that’s “what matters.”

Jeanette Galván, intern at United Way, is a senior at Hofstra University studying journalism and Spanish.