United Counseling Service’s (UCS) Teens4Change (T4C) program looks forward to hosting a Community Field Day fundraiser to benefit the program on July 11 from 11am-3:30pm at the agency’s HOPE House location at 1128 Monument Avenue, Bennington, VT. The day will include fun for the whole family, including carnival games, field day challenges like sack races and egg-and-spoon races, activities for young children, and a hotdog lunch available for purchase. Please visit ucsvt.org/events for more event details.

All proceeds from the Community Field Day event will help to maintain T4C, a program of UCS’ division of Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) that provides teens in Bennington County opportunities to meet weekly, volunteer in their community, build connections and friendships, and learn life skills. T4C meets after school on Tuesdays at UCS’ 21 Burgess Road location in Bennington and is maintained entirely by donations.

“We’re gearing up for the Community Field Day, which was actually the teens’ idea!” says Coral Hunt, who runs the program. “It’s a chance for everyone to have some fun while raising funds for our supplies and future trips. Expect a bouncy house, carnival games, a hot dog stand, and other local vendors. It’ll be a great way for the community to come together!”

The Teens4Change program cycles through four themed weeks to give participants a well-rounded enrichment experience that includes self-care, life skills-building, giving back to the community through outreach and service, and a ‘free week’ with games, movies and other fun activities. T4C also offers Adventure Camp, a summer camp for youth ages 13 – 21 offering outdoor activities, personal growth opportunities and trips to fun destinations like the Bronx Zoo.

CYFS provides programming for young people across Bennington County, including Teens4Change (T4C), Healthy Options for Psychiatric Emergencies (HOPE House), therapeutic summer camps, an after-school program, mental health counseling, psychiatric services, and more. Please visit ucsvt.org to learn more about all UCS programs and services for individuals and families in Bennington County.

United Counseling Service (UCS) is committed to helping individuals and families in Bennington County live healthy, meaningful lives. Our work spans mental health, substance use treatment, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and early childhood development. UCS is a private, non-profit community mental health center that has been an essential part of Bennington County’s integrated healthcare system since 1958. For more information or to access our services, visit www.ucsvt.org or call (802) 442-5491.