Around Town

Wayside Staff Spotlight: Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman

By |

Sophia Suarez-Friedman. Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Wayside Multi Program Director, shared her favorite local spot in Watertown, career advice, and what keeps her rooted to Wayside Multi in the latest Wayside Staff Spotlight. See what she said in the Q&A provided by Wayside. Suarez-Friedman oversees community-based prevention, outreach, resource navigation, and counseling services for Watertown, Waltham, and surrounding communities. In this role, she leads program development, supervises staff, manages grant funding and reporting, and collaborates with city agencies, schools, and community partners to strengthen access to vital resources.

Business

Addgene Supports Wayside Multi with Back-to-School Backpack Donation

By |

Sophia Suárez-Friedman, Program Director at Wayside Multi-Service Center, with backpacks donated by Addgene. (Courtesy Photo)

The following piece was provided by the Wayside Multi Service Center:

As the new school year approaches, preparation can make all the difference — and thanks to Addgene, youth supported by Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center (Wayside Multi) in Watertown will be starting the year well-equipped and ready to succeed. Addgene, partnering with TeamBonding, generously donated backpacks filled with school supplies to the Wayside Multi, which serves local youth and families. These backpacks were distributed to children and teens who will benefit from having the tools they need to start the school year with confidence. Some backpacks were distributed to students through Project Literacy, a program offering free English classes through the Watertown Free Public Library, where they were met with enthusiasm.

Around Town

Q&A with Laura Kurman Who is Retiring from Wayside Multi Service Center After More Than 30 Years

By |

Laura Kurman retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center in June. She worked there for more than three decades. (Courtesy of Wayside Multi Service Center)

For more than three decades, Laura Kurman has been working to help those in need in Watertown. She retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center at the end of June, and looked back on her time. Kurman spoke with Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose in her office at the house on North Beacon Street that serves as the offices for the Wayside Multi Service Center in early June.

Around Town

Wayside Distributed Gifts to More than 50 Families in Watertown

By |

Some of the many gifts donated for families and children to Wayside in Watertown. The holiday season at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network was filled with generosity, community spirit, and joyful celebrations as programs across Wayside locations came together to bring warmth and support to local families and youth. As we reflect on these moments, we are reminded of the power of community to bring hope, joy, and comfort to those in need. Thank you to everyone who made this holiday season so special for the Wayside community! These efforts were made possible by the dedication of Wayside’s staff, volunteers, local businesses, faith groups, and community members.

Around Town

5K4Kids Run/Walk Raising Money for Wayside Youth & Family Support Network

By |

Watertown’s Wayside Multi-Service Center will enter at team into the 5K4Kids Run/Walk on Oct. 21 in Framingham. People can register to join the team, or donate to Wayside Youth & Family Network. The 5K4Kids Run/Walk features a 5-kilometer race, a family fun-run, and a vibrant family-focused festival with an array of activities, food, and enjoyment for all ages. “Your contribution to our cause, no matter the scale, makes an immense difference in the lives of young individuals who rely on our support.

Around Town

Watertown Youth Coalition Gives Community Spirit Awards to Several People, Groups in Watertown

By |

The Watertown Youth Coalition handed out the Community Spirit Awards at Arsenal Park on June 5. (Photo courtesy of Watertown Youth Coalition)

The following information was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

The rain held off on Monday for Watertown Youth Coalition’s annual Community Spirit Awards! We had such a good turnout at Arsenal Community Park for a delightful and uplifting evening, celebrating all the WYC Peer Leaders’ accomplishments this year and any and all who made a positive impact on young people in the Watertown community. Wayside Youth & Family Support Network and the Watertown Youth Coalition would like to thank all those who made this event possible! Congratulations to all of the 2023 Community Spirit Award recipients, especially our Peer Leaders!

Around Town

Nominations Wanted for 2022 Community Spirit Awards

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition and Wayside Multi-Service Center:

Watertown Youth Coalition and Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center invite nominations for our 2022 Community Spirit Awards and welcome the community to our annual awards event to appreciate and honor the individuals in the community committed to the health and well-being of Watertown’s youth and families. This event is free and open to the public. Light dinner will be provided. To nominate someone, please fill out the form by May 23, 2022 (Click here for the Form: Nomination form Community Spirit Awards 2022)

*Individuals eligible for nomination are those who have:

● Served as a positive influence or mentor to a Watertown Youth Coalition memberor to others in the community● Had the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and thecommunity● Actively taken steps to improve the Watertown community for youth and families(in big and small ways)● Not received an award in the past 5 years

When: Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Where: Arsenal Community Park, 458 Arsenal St., Watertown

Register here to confirm your attendance:

Click here for the Eventbrite Tickets for Community Service Awards Ceremony

About Watertown Youth Coalition

Watertown Youth Coalition’s mission is to support the wellness and empowerment of Watertown youth by engaging young people, families, and the community. About Wayside Multi-Service Center

Since 1968, Wayside Multi-Service Center has provided community-wide health promotion initiatives and counseling services to youth and families in Watertown and surrounding areas.

Around Town

SPEAK Week Returns to Watertown High School, 2022’s Theme: Strive to Thrive

By |

Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders and Wayside staff with Wes from Minding Your Mind. The 12th annual SPEAK Week was back at Watertown High School (WHS) March 14-18 !! SPEAK(Sharing Personal Experiences and Knowledge) Week is organized by Wayside Multi Service Center’s Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) Peer Leaders from WHS. Every year, in collaboration with Watertown High School, WYC Peer Leaders organize a fun-filled and educational week with special guest speakers, activities, and knowledge building that relate to helping youth make positive healthy choices. For this year’s SPEAK Week; themed “Strive to Thrive,” students engaged in assemblies, workshops, and activities throughout the week that addressed Mental Health and Wellness, LGBTQIA Safe Spaces, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction, Therapeutic Music, Speak Up Art Sessions and a visit from Lydia the Comfort Dog.