The Freeport Pride, Inc. Youth Services Program provides counseling and youth development services. Counseling services include individual, family and group counseling provided to youth (and their families) that may be facing any of a variety of issues or problems. The focus of these services is to prevent delinquent and criminal activity, violence, substance abuse, and school or family related problems, etc. Youth can often best be served by dealing with them in the context of the family. Accordingly, we encourage family involvement in program activities and services.

Youth counseling services utilize counseling, case management, and supportive services. Services are coordinated with schools, County and community agencies as appropriate. Confidentiality is maintained regarding the provision of program counseling services. While youth and families keep traditional office appointments, program staff can also outreach to clients at their homes or at various locations throughout the community.

Our youth development services are available to all youth and include services to enhance the healthy development of young people, shape the development of positive values and behaviors and provide constructive use of leisure time. Often these services are in the form of after school programs, summer programs, etc., coupled with an educational component. Also part of our youth development services is a program providing job readiness training and placement services to adolescents.

The Freeport Pride youth services program is currently involved in a campaign to promote nonviolence. The foundation of this effort is the development and display throughout Nassau County of banners that simply say “Nonviolence”. We are reaching out to youth programs, churches, libraries, community organizations, businesses, etc. to support this campaign by partnering with us and agreeing to develop and display a banner in their community. The banners will be displayed for one month beginning on October 2, 2011, the International Day of Non-violence. For more information go to Signs of Nonviolence Campaign.