Skip to content

QUICK LINKSQUICK LINKS
  • Quick Links
    • 988 Lifeline
    • CASA - Child Advocacy
    • Family Resource Center
    • Samaritans
    • Trainings
    • Contact Us
    • Sitemap
  • Join Our Team
DONATE
Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
  • Home
  • Who We AreExpand
    • History & Mission
    • Leadership
    • Publications
  • What We DoExpand
    • Programs Overview
    • Youth Development
    • Parent Education
    • Mental Health & Wellness
  • Get InvolvedExpand
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Join Our Team
    • Volunteer
  • EventsExpand
    • Overview of Events
    • Bowl A Strike for Kids
    • Walk for Hope
    • Annual Gala

QUICK LINKSQUICK LINKS
  • Contact Us
  • 988 Lifeline
  • CASA - Child Advocacy
  • Family Resource Center
  • Samaritans
  • Trainings
  • Join Our Team
  • Sitemap

DONATE
Family Services of the Merrimack Valley

Youth Development

Home / Programs Overview / Youth Development

​

Youth Development

Youth Development programs help young people navigate the difficult stage of adolescence by recognizing and building on their strengths. Key to this approach is providing young people with opportunities to discover their strengths and create positive relationships. Through mentoring, life skills training, pregnancy prevention and child advocacy programs, Family Services ushers children and youth onto the path of success. 

CASA

Through the dedication and hard work of community volunteers, Family Services’ Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program advocates in the Essex County juvenile courts (Lawrence, Lynn, Newburyport, Salem) to make sure that children who have suffered abuse and neglect have the chance to grow up in safe, nurturing and permanent homes.  

LEARN MORE

Mentoring

Connecting young people with positive adult role models is one of the most effective ways to ensure young people succeed in school and in life! Research shows that mentoring relationships result in improved academic performance, better self-esteem, and reductions in substance use and other risk behaviors. To achieve those outcomes for youth in our community, Family Services implements several mentoring programs. 

LEARN MORE

Esteem

The ESTEEM program serves youth ages 13-18 who are court involved, acting out at home/school, or have a CRA petition. Through case management, wellness activities and leadership opportunities, ESTEEM increases participants self-esteem, improves school engagement, and helps them pursue positive plans for the future. 

Complete the form below in inquire about ESTEEM.

Health Education

Family Services collaborates with school districts and other youth serving organizations to provide positive youth development and sexuality health education utilizing the Making Proud Choices curriculum to teach participants about positive decision making, reproductive health, adult preparation, and healthy relationships. 

Complete the form below to inquire about Health Education services.

Youth diversion

Family Services’ Youth Diversion Program accepts referrals from juvenile courts and law enforcement entities to provide case management and positive youth development to young people who have who committed first time or low level offenses. The goal of the program is to directed young people away from more formal involvement in the juvenile justice system and toward positive peer relationships and school success. 

Complete the form below in inquire about Youth Diversion.

inquire to learn more:

THANK YOU TO OUR Youth program sponsors

QUICK LINKS

  • Contact Us
  • CASA
  • 988 Lifeline
  • Family Resource Center
  • Samaritans
  • Trainings
Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
430 North Canal Street
Lawrence, MA 01840

978.327.6600
[email protected]

Privacy Policy | Sitemap

© 2025 Family Services of the Merrimack Valley

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • History & Mission
    • Leadership
    • Publications
  • What We Do
    • Programs Overview
    • Youth Development
    • Parent Education
    • Mental Health & Wellness
  • Get Involved
    • Ways to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Join Our Team
    • Volunteer
  • Events
    • Overview of Events
    • Bowl A Strike for Kids
    • Walk for Hope
    • Annual Gala