June 15, 2021 

Contact: Michelle Hillman                                                                Michelle_Hillman@waysideyouth.org                                                                                                                                                                                                           

CHARLTON, MA – Wayside Youth & Family Support Network announced today that it opened a new program site in Charlton, Mass. to support local families in need of mental health services for their children.  

Wayside Charlton site will provide in-home therapy, therapeutic mentoring, group therapy, virtual caregiver support groups and social skills groups for youth who want to connect to their peers. Services offered are for residents of Charlton and the 20 surrounding towns.  

“We are pleased to expand therapeutic services for youth with behavioral health needs in their community,” said Charlton Senior Program Director, Anna Spencer, LICSW. “We know that many parents and caregivers of children with mental illness are struggling to manage behaviors during the pandemic. Our staff is available to relieve the stress parents are feeling, support families and provide coping skills for youth.” 

The office will be staffed by mental health clinicians, youth and family support workers in addition to peer mentors and family partners from Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership program. For referrals or questions call, 774-249-1290.  

More information about the Charlton site can be found on our website here: https://www.waysideyouth.org/aboutus/ourservicesoverview/services/waysidecentralma/.  

About Wayside: 

Founded in 1977, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is a nonprofit, nationally accredited human services agency headquartered in Framingham, Mass. that is dedicated to building strength, hope and resiliency through its family-based outreach services, residential treatment programs, and community-based counseling services to more than 6,000 children, youth and families throughout Eastern, Central and Northeastern Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.waysideyouth.org.

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Meet Olivia Chiacchia, coordinator of STEPS Young Adult Resource Center in Arlington, which traditionally provides free, drop-in groups that help young adults ages 18-26 with socialization and one-on-one peer support. Five weeks ago, when COVID-19 forced us inside, Olivia moved her support groups online and even added a few new options to help the young adults she works with keep their social distance. Since then, Olivia’s Instagram Live groups have gained a global following. Read more about Virtual STEPS below and on Instagram by following @stepsyoungadults.

• Why did you start Virtual groups?
  • I started Virtual STEPS to continue supporting our current members while we are social distancing. My Virtual STEPS catch phrase is “If STEPS can stay home, then so can you!” Part of the reason I’m doing Virtual STEPS from home is to model social distancing to the young adults I’m supporting!
• What were your expectations?
  • I didn’t expect to have so many new members in the virtual program, especially global members! Virtual STEPS has definitely exceeded my expectations thus far and has reached young adults in Italy and Pakistan! We’ve had special themed walking groups like a “dance walk” where we all danced to music while walking and an international scavenger hunt in our respective neighborhoods and countries! It really makes you realize how small the world is, and how much we have in common despite our physical distance.
• Which groups are the most popular?
  • The Walking Group and the Cooking Group on Instagram Live are the most popular so far!
• What has surprised you most about Virtual STEPS?
  • I couldn’t believe it when people joined the group and said “salaam” and “ciao” and asked if they could join despite being located on different continents than STEPS. They have been able to share their culture and experience through the COVID-19 pandemic from another lens.
• What is your favorite part about Virtual STEPS?
  • My favorite part is watching the young adults support each other through this challenging time. The young adults are what makes Virtual STEPS successful and a powerful resource to all.

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