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
Summer and Fall Programs
Social Wellness Nights – July 23, August 16 | grades K-5 | $5
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.
Kids Summer Fest – July 25 | 1-4 pm | ages 6-12 | free
This event will feature fun, summer-themed activities where kids can try something different and make new friends during their summer break.
*NEW* Quest Seekers: An Impulse Control Journey – July 22 | 6-7:15 pm | 4 weeks | grades 2-5 | free
Program participants embark on a quest-themed journey to understand impulses and develop self-control skills. By infusing creativity and adventure into each session, the program creates an engaging and empowering experience for youth to navigate the challenges of impulse control. This program will meet twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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.
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-2 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 behavioral 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.
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.
*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.
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.
Tutoring – October 16 | 4:30-7:30 pm (1-hour sessions) | 10 weeks | grades 1-6 | $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.
Pride Program – 1st and 3rd Thursdays | 6-7 pm | ages 13-17 | free
This program provides a safe environment for young people who identify as LGBTQ+, who are questioning their affectional orientation or gender identity, or who are allies.
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.