About Youth Counseling Connection

Mission

Youth Counseling Connection provides free and accessible support to youth and families. Our services include: short-term counseling, support groups, and community-based programs. YCC's goal is to improve the emotional wellness of youth in our community. We welcome youth and families of all cultures, religions, genders, and sexual identities.

History

In February of 2008, concerned residents, with the support of Town officials, held a community meeting to talk about the high number of Lexington High School students who report feeling depressed and suicidal. Out of that meeting, a group of people emerged who saw a need for accessible mental health support for youth in Lexington. These seven individuals spent the next three years preparing and planning to open our doors. In 2011, YCC partnered with First Parish Church, who donated the space to make our dream a reality.   

What started as a small group of volunteers and one part-time staff member providing drop-in therapy, is now a staple of the Lexington community. Our programs have expanded to include short-term therapy, support groups, town presentations, panel discussions, and the inception of the Sources of Strength program.

Values

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Integrity — We strive to uphold high levels of honesty, transparency, and ethical practice. 

Inclusion — We value the richness of diversity in Lexington and are culturally sensitive in our work. 

Collaboration — All Lexington stakeholders - including parents, school and municipal personnel, clergy and other community based providers - are partners in our work.

Empowerment — Our goal is to provide skills and resources to youth, families, and community members so that they gain confidence and mastery.

Milestones

  • 2008

    Concerned residents, with the support of town officials, held a community meeting to talk about the high number of Lexington High students who report feeling depressed and suicidal. Out of that meeting, a group of people emerged who formed YCC, originally known as LYFS (Lexington Youth and Family Services).

  • 2011/2012

    Youth Counseling Connection opened its doors first as a drop-in crisis counseling center for Lexington teens who were struggling, feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or just need a place to talk and get support.

  • 2015

    YCC implemented the nationally-recognized Sources of Strength youth suicide prevention program at Lexington High School (LHS). Youth were trained in the Sources model to identify peers that may be struggling and connect them with trusted adults.

  • 2019

    Lexington Public Schools leadership saw such benefit to the Sources of Strength model at LHS, they transitioned it to a system-wide program by expanding into the Lexington middle schools.

    At YCC, Queer Hang Space opened for LGBTQ+ youth, and more opportunities to support parents were developed.

  • 2021

    When the Town realized the need to provide additional support to youth and families, they adopted our founding name (LYFS) and started a town-funded branch of youth services. YCC rebranded with a new name and logo, but with an unchanged commitment to the emotional wellness of the youth and families of the Lexington community.

  • 2022

    Through Covid, YCC's online sessions tripled. Responding to new needs in the community, YCC emerged with a focus on family therapy and support groups and a plan to resume in-person services.