MaineStay Youth & Family Services
Giving hope. Creating possibilities. Transforming lives.MaineStay Youth & Family Services is an award-winning department that has been serving the mental health needs of our community for nearly 50 years. Our mission is to support the growth of healthier families in the Maine Township community by providing affordable strength-based counseling and comprehensive programs focused on prevention and education. Since our founding in 1975, we have worked diligently to ensure that all Maine Township residents have access to treatment because lack of financial resources should not be a barrier to accessing mental health services. All our programs are either free or low-cost. We offer flexible payment options to accommodate your financial situation. Many of our programs, including counseling, are available only to those who live in Maine Township or attend a Maine Township school.
Full Program Schedule and Online Registration
Fall Programs
Navigating Grief and Loss in a Culturally Diverse 21st Century – September 6 | 9-11 am
This professional development workshop will educate and engage clinicians in the process of trauma-informed and culturally responsive grief work.
*NEW* Imagination and Ink: A Creative Writing Journey – September 10 | 5-6 pm | 6 weeks | grades 6-8 | free
This program is designed to spark your child's imagination and hone their creative writing skills. During the program, we explore different genres and styles, from fiction and poetry to creative non-fiction.
Cooking Class – September 12 | 4:30-6 pm | 5 weeks | ages 8-17 | $12/week
This class, taught by an experienced chef, will teach different cooking techniques, knife safety, and culinary concepts, designed to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
Self-Esteem Building Group – September 17 | 3-3:45 pm | 10 weeks | grades 2-5 | free
This group helps students learn more about themselves, discover their strengths, and increase their self-efficacy through art, games, and empowering stories.
Inside Out Explorers: Emotion Regulation Group – September 17 | 4:15-5 pm | 10 weeks | grades K-1 and grades 2-3 | free
This group provides a safe and supportive environment for children to explore their emotions, improve emotional intelligence, and learn healthy coping skills.
Anxiety Coping Skills Group – September 17 | 5:15-6 pm | 10 weeks | grades 6-8 | $40
This group helps participants learn effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety and emphasizes putting these skills into practice in real life situations.
Shifting Sands: Sandtray Group – September 17 | 5:15-6 pm | 10 weeks | grades K-2 | $20
This group aims to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for youth facing challenges at home or school.
YAM Squad: Frustration Tolerance Group – September 17 | 6:30-7:20 pm | 10 weeks | grades 6-8 | $40
This group teaches practical skills on how to deal with anger and frustration in a heathy manner.
*NEW* Bluey's Big Feelings Fun: Emotion Regulation Group – September 19 | 3:15-4 pm | 6 weeks | pre-K to K | free
This play-based program uses the world of Bluey to help young children explore and manage their emotions.
Art in the Town – September 23 | 4-4:50 pm (ages 6-8) | 5-6 pm (ages 9-12) | 12 weeks | free
This program helps participants enhance their artistic abilities while increasing confidence and social skills.
Workshop Improv Theatre – September 25 | 6-7 pm | 8 weeks | ages 8-13 | free
This program focuses on confidence building and expressiveness, as participants step outside their comfort zone and learn skills such as listening, public speaking, problem solving, and teamwork.
Seeds of Friendship: Fostering Healthy Relationships Among Girls – October 1 | 5-5:50 pm | 10 weeks | girls in grades 2-5 | free
This group incorporates activities and discussions that promote positive social interactions, empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution. It provides a safe and supportive environment where girls feel comfortable expressing themselves and building meaningful connections with their peers.
*NEW* Family Connections: A Play-Based Parenting Program – October 2 | 7-8 pm | 10 weeks | $20
This ten-week play-based parenting program is an instructional group designed to enhance and strengthen the emotional bond between parents and their children between ages 2-10. This evidence-based program empowers parents with the skills to respond effectively to their child's emotional and behavioral needs, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
Family Fun Nights – October 3, November 7, December 5 | 6-7:30 pm | families with children ages 5 and up | free
This drop-in event is designed to help families connect by choosing from activities that suit their interests—from playing games, engaging in arts and crafts, or enjoying a family-friendly movie.
Parenting Class – October 3 | 6-7:30 pm | 6 weeks | $40
This class uses an informative blend of video and discussion to help parents learn fun and practical ways to parent with more energy and less stress.
Social Wellness Nights – October 10, October 21, November 5, November 21 | grades K-5 | free
This program supports youth in socializing with peers, promotes positive mental health, and includes a pizza dinner and a variety of activities to help children connect, have fun, and learn important social skills.
Tutoring – October 16 | 4:30-7:30 pm (1-hour sessions) | 10 weeks | grades 1-8 | $50
This program provides personalized assistance designed to improve academic success. Using a small-group format, our experienced tutors, who are also certified teachers, work with students to improve academic skills and self-confidence.
Trunk or Treat – October 24 | 4-6 pm | all ages | free
Get ready for a spooktacular time at our annual Trunk or Treat event! Join us for an afternoon of festive fun and frightful treats.
Kids Fall Fest – November 26 | 4-7 pm | ages 6-12 | free
This event will feature fun, fall-themed activities where kids can try something different and make new friends during their fall break.
Mentoring – every other Tuesday | 6-7:30 pm | ages 8-12 | free
Our award-winning Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program meets in a structured group setting and helps children enhance their social skills, confidence, and academic success.
Counseling
MaineStay offers high-quality, compassionate counseling services for the whole family both in person and via telehealth. Our family therapists use a respectful, strength-based counseling approach designed to assist you in meeting your goals as quickly as possible. We work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Services are available at a reduced cost using a sliding fee scale.