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Mission, Goals and Principles
- The mission of the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition is to support, promote and link community asset building efforts for youth and their families.
Goals
- Collaborate to support the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition.
- Disseminate current Search Institute survey results of our elementary, middle school and high school youth.
- Support activities to reduce underage drinking.
- Recognize businesses that support youth.
- Partner with youth in developing a healthy community.
- Encourage communications among schools, families, youth, adults and the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition.
- Reach out to communities beyond the Town of Amherst to share ideas and resources to create a common vision.
Guiding Principles
- Recognize and build strengths in young people.
- Create meaningful connections with family members, schools, adults, peers, young children and the community.
- Inspire, invite and empower all adults and youth to contribute to the well-being of the community.
- Engage youth as partners in planning activities and evaluating programs.
- Recognize youth as resources, contributors and leaders in asset building efforts.
Amherst Youth & Community Coalition
Affiliate Members
- Dr. Anna Cieri, Community Member
Articles
The Amherst Youth & Community Coalition is fortunate to have the Amherst Bee as a supportive media partner. A monthly Task Force column appears in the Amherst Bee. Please visit the Amherst Youth & Community website for youth and community news articles.
Asset Development/Search Institute Survey Information
The Town of Amherst Youth Board, working closely with the Amherst, Sweet Home and Williamsville Central School Districts, has to date, administered several Search Institute Wellness Surveys of Student Attitudes and Behaviors. The survey results are used as a basis for long-range program planning to positively impact on the lives of our community’s young people and their families.
The result has identified 40 developmental assets, or building blocks, that enhance the health and well-being of young people and assist them in being successful at home, school and in the community. The more “assets” that young people have , the less risky behavior they will exhibit. Assets have been identified for each age grouping: infant, toddler, pre-school, elementary school and adolescent.
Help kids grow healthy and promote developmental assets.
- Feel loved and supported by family.
- Can communicate positively and talk openly with parents.
- Has 3 other positive adults (besides parents) in their life.
- Has neighbors that care about them.
- School provides a caring, encouraging environment.
- Parents are involved in school.
- Adults value youth in community.
- Young person is given useful roles in the community.
- Young person helps others 1 hour per week or more.
- Feels safe at school, home and in their neighborhood.
- Family has clear rules and consequences and knows whereabouts at all times.
- School provides clear rules and boundaries.
- Neighbors watch and report young people’s behavior.
- Adults act in a positive and responsible way.
- Young person’s friends act in a responsible way.
- Parents encourage them to do well.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in music, arts, or theatre.
- Spends 3 hours a week or more in sports, clubs or organizations.
- Spends 1 hour per week or more in religious activities.
- Only hangs out with friends with nothing to do two or less nights a week.
- Wants to do well in school.
- Participates in class.
- Does one hour or more of homework each day.
- Cares about his/her school.
- Reads for fun 3 or more hours per week.
- Places high value on helping other people.
- Believes in equality and helping hungry/needy.
- Acts on convictions and stands up for his/her beliefs.
- Tells the truth even though it may not be easy.
- Accepts and takes personal responsibility.
- Believes it is important to be drug free and not sexually active.
- Knows how to plan ahead and make choices.
- Shows empathy, sensitivity and respects the feeling of others.
- Knows about and feels okay with other cultures.
- Resists negative peer pressure and dangerous situations.
- Resolves problems without the use of violence.
- Feels he or she has control over what happens to them.
- High sense of self-esteem.
- Feels that they have a purpose in life.
- Optimistic about his or her personal future and plans
Underage Drinking Initiative
Public Service Announcements Videos
Safe Proms and Safe Graduations
On behalf of all concerned adults and youth, the Amherst Youth & Community Coalition yearly communicates with limousine operators, hotel/motel owners and managers. We ask them to follow guidelines, which would protect our young people during prom and graduation celebrations.
Guidelines for Limousine Companies
- All drivers’ backgrounds and driving records are checked.
- Only the most responsible and safest adults should be driving our children.
- Have commercial or livery insurance.
Guidelines for Hotels and Motels
Discourage the rental of rooms for the purpose of gathering of young people who wish to party. The use of alcohol and other drugs are common at these gatherings. Many times, situations may arise which are unsafe, unhealthy and illegal when alcohol is present.
Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth
Youth and Recreation
1615 Amherst Manor Dr
Williamsville,
NY
14221
(716)
631-7132
8:30 am – 5:30 pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri)
10:00 AM - 2:00PM (Sat)
Youth and Recreation
Programs
Family Room
Northwest Amherst Community Center
Northtown Center at Amherst
Organizations
Partners & Publications
Youth and Recreation
Pouli, Mary-Diana
Executive Director
716-631-7132 ext.
7532
Guzdek, Eric
Deputy Director Recreation
716-631-7132 ext.
7512
Burns, Jared
Program Leader
716-631-7132 ext.
7713
Fischer, Patrice
Accountant
716-631-7132 ext.
7520
Graczyk, Elizabeth
Resource Coordinator
716-631-7132 ext.
7550
Groff, Linda
Recreation Attendant
716-631-7132 ext.
7529
Holmes, Michele
Recreation Supervisor
716-631-7132 ext.
7517
Ignaszak, Brian
Program Leader
716-631-7132 ext.
7519
Kiefer-Warren, Joann
Program Leader
716-631-7132 ext.
7516
Laudico, Alan
Program Coordinator
716-631-7208
Lefebvre, Heidi
Project Coordinator
716-631-7132 ext.
7715
Lisman, Nick
Program Leader
716-264-9794
McCarthy, Roseanne
Public Relations Coordinator
716-631-7132 ext.
7521
Miller, Kathy
Asset Development Specialist
716-631-7132 ext.
7523
Mohney, Sue
Program Leader
716-631-7132 ext.
7710
Osei, Andrews
Accountant
716-631-7132 ext.
7520
Reed, Jennifer
Program Coordinator
716-689-1404
Reilley, Jenna
Program Leader
716-631-7132 ext.
7716
Richter, Shelby
Messenger
716-631-7132 ext.
7525
Rohrer, Anne
Clerk
716-631-7132 ext.
7518
Sember, Andrew
Program Leader
716-633-8117
Simpson, Marcelle
Program Coordinator
716-631-7132 ext.
7624
Sosnowski, Naomi
Program Supervisor
716-631-7132 ext.
7522
Stravalaci, Antonella
Director of Volunteers
716-631-7210
Waltz, Bradley
Recreation Supervisor
716-631-7132 ext.
7528
Clearfield & North Forest Pool Openings
Clearfield Pool & Splash Park will open for the season June 19 from Noon -5pm. North Forest Pool will open June 22 from Noon-5pm. For complete pool schedules, please see attached flyer or visit amherstyouthandrec.org
Click to view document
Posted on May 19, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Amherst Youth & Recreation Temporary Office Closure
Due to construction, the Northtown Center at Amherst and the Amherst Youth & Recreation Department offices located at 1615 Amherst Manor Dr. will be closed May 19-23. Resident photo ID cards will be sold at the Northwest Amherst Community Center, 220 Northpointe Pkwy., Amherst NY 14228 from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. Starting May 19, ID cards are $10. A new photo and proof of residency is required. Proof of residency for adults: driver/non-driver ID with Amherst address. Proof of residency for children: Parent’s driver/non-driver ID with Amherst address and child’s birth certificate or 2024 ID card. Phones will be monitored, so please leave a message. Messages will be returned the same day. We appreciate your patience during this period.
Click to view documentClick for website link
Posted on May 13, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Amherst Youth & Recreation Summer Program Guide
Amherst Youth & Recreation Summer Program Guide is now available online (please refer to link below). Registration begins Monday, May 5. A valid resident ID card is needed for registration; for questions, please call 716-631-7132 or visit amherstyouthandrec.org.
Click for website linkPosted on Apr 30, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Amherst Youth & Recreation Summer Registration
Amherst Youth & Recreation Summer registration will begin Monday, May 5 at 9am. Individuals must have a valid resident ID card to register online. For details on obtaining/renewing a resident ID card, please visit amherstyouthandrec.org. For questions, please call 716-631-7132.
Click to view documentPosted on Apr 23, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Audubon Golf App
Download the mobile app to book tee times, keep score and acquire more details about the course. See attached document for complete details.
Click to view document
Posted on Apr 18, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Afternoon Shift Lifeguards Sought
The Amherst Youth & Recreation Dept. is seeking Afternoon Shift Lifeguards at our Clearfield and North Forest pools. If you're a high school or college student at least 16 years old and hold current lifeguard certification, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Applications available online by visiting amherstyouthandrec.org. To schedule an interview, please contact Jennifer Reed, e-mail jreed@amherst.ny.us.
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Click for website link
Posted on Apr 04, 2025 by the Youth and Recreation Department.
Updated Youth and Recreation Dept. Hours
The Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Department has updated its hours of operation. Effective Tuesday, April 1, the Amherst Youth & Recreation offices will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The offices are located on the second floor of the Northtown Center, 1615 Amherst Manor Drive, Amherst, NY 14221. Elevators are available.
Click for website link