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 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. Counseling services are available only to those who live in Maine Township or attend a Maine Township school. Our other programs are available to non-residents for a higher fee (space permitting).
Full Program Schedule and Online Registration
Upcoming Programs
Social Wellness Nights – November 21, January 6, January 22, February 10, February 27 | 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.
Family Fun Nights – December 5, February 3, March 6, April 10, May 12 | 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.
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.
Kids Winter Fest – January 3 | 1-4 pm | ages 6-12 | free
This event will feature fun, winter-themed activities where kids can try something different and make new friends during their winter break.
Art in the Town – January 13 | 4-4:50 pm (ages 6-8) | 5-6 pm (ages 9-12) | 14 weeks | free
This program helps participants enhance their artistic abilities while increasing confidence and social skills.
Bluey's Big Feelings Fun: Emotion Regulation Group – January 14 | 12:15-1 pm | 6 weeks | 3-6 years | free
This play-based program uses the world of Bluey to help young children explore and manage their emotions.
Inside Out Explorers: Emotion Regulation Group – January 14 | 4-4:45 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.
Shifting Sands: Sandtray Group – January 14 | 5-5:45 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.
*NEW* Teamwork Trailblazers: Socialization and Problem-Solving – January 14 | 6:30-7:15 pm | 10 weeks | grades 3-4 | free
This program is based on Theraplay principles and focuses on peer socialization, problem-solving, and team building, and provides opportunities for children to develop self-confidence and improved emotional regulation.
*NEW* Game Masters: Board Games and Coping Skills – January 15 | 5-6 pm | 6 weeks | boys in grades 6-8 | free
This program offers a fun, structured way for middle school boys to develop important life skills in an engaging and interactive environment.
*NEW* Circle of Friends: Play Therapy Group – January 16 | 2-2:45 pm | 12 weeks | ages 3-4 | free
This program is based in Group Child-Centered Play Therapy and provides a gentle, supportive space where children can explore emotions and develop social skills through the natural language of play.
Hooked on Crochet – January 21 | 4-5 pm | 6 weeks | grades 5-9 | free
This program teaches participants the fundamentals of crocheting, from basic stitches to more advanced techniques.
Seeds of Friendship: Fostering Healthy Relationships Among Girls – January 21 | 5-5:50 pm | 8 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.
Cooking Class – January 23 | 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.
*NEW* Creative Calm: Art and Coping Skills – January 23 | 6-6:50 pm | 8 weeks | girls in grades 6-8 | free
This nurturing program helps middle school girls explore their emotions, build resilience, and learn valuable coping skills through engaging art activities in a safe and supportive environment.
*NEW* Circle of Friends: Play Therapy Group – January 27 | 3-3:45 pm | 12 weeks | ages 3-4 | free
This program is based in Group Child-Centered Play Therapy and provides a gentle, supportive space where children can explore emotions and develop social skills through the natural language of play.
Tutoring – February 5 | 4:30-6:30 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.
Bluey's Big Feelings Fun: Emotion Regulation Group – February 6 | 3:30-4:15 pm | 6 weeks | 3-6 years | free
This play-based program uses the world of Bluey to help young children explore and manage their emotions.
*NEW* Circle of Friends: Play Therapy Group – March 10 | 4-4:45 pm | 12 weeks | grades 1-2 | free
This program is based in Group Child-Centered Play Therapy and provides a gentle, supportive space where children can explore emotions and develop social skills through the natural language of play.
*NEW* Imagination and Ink: A Creative Writing Journey – March 11 | 4-5 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.
*NEW* Circle of Friends: Play Therapy Group – March 12 | 4-4:45 pm | 12 weeks | grades K-1 | free
This program is based in Group Child-Centered Play Therapy and provides a gentle, supportive space where children can explore emotions and develop social skills through the natural language of play.
Kids Spring Fest – March 28 | 1-4 pm | ages 6-12 | free
This event will feature fun, spring-themed activities where kids can try something different and make new friends during their spring break.
YAM Squad: Frustration Tolerance Group – April 1 | 4:15-5 pm | 10 weeks | grades 3-5 | $40
This group teaches practical skills on how to deal with anger and frustration in a heathy manner.
Shifting Sands: Sandtray Group – April 1 | 5:30-6:15 pm | 10 weeks | boys in grades 6-8 | $20
This group aims to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for youth facing challenges at home or school.
Family Connections: A Play-Based Parenting Program – April 1 | 7-8 pm | 10 weeks | $25
This 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 – April 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.
Bluey's Big Feelings Fun: Emotion Regulation Group – April 24 | 3:30-4:15 pm | 6 weeks | 3-6 years | free
This play-based program uses the world of Bluey to help young children explore and manage their emotions.
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.