The Family Life/Youth Development Department provides services to youth, ages 5 to 21 years of age, and their families. The programs include support services, individual, group and family counseling services, parent support groups, tutorial services, job placement and leisure time activities. The programs are funded and monitored by The Nassau County Youth Board.

Banana Splits is a support group provided for children 5-to-10 years of age who have to adjust to living with separated and divorced parents. The goal is to help them understand the divorce process and learn coping skills. As the children share their stories through open discussion, games and other activities, they begin to realize that there are other children experiencing similar changes in their household. This group provides a weekly forum for them to express their feelings and emotions. Carrie Turner, certified social worker and treatment supervisor, and Irene Burk, CSW, facilitate this group. For more information, call 796-6633, ext. 258 or ext. 255.

Bereavement Groups for children who have lost a parent or a loved one are available. The focus of this group is sharing grief and gaining support from others who can directly relate to or at least understand some of the feelings that they are experiencing. This is accomplished through activities to include story telling, feeling games and open discussion. Children often have questions, act out or become physically ill once an individual has been buried. They need to talk about death. For more information, call 796-6633, ext. 258.

Irene Burk, a CSW, facilitates the Separated/Divorced parent Support Group. This group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presently, the participants in the group are all women; however, all groups are developed based on their need. A group for men can become available. Participants learn to understand their hurt and anger so that they can proceed with the healing process. Everyone is given the opportunity to share their feelings and experiences as they gain comfort and understanding from one another. Unfortunately, many individuals feel isolated after separation/divorce. This group provides a feeling of companionship which often develops into new friendships. Please call 796-6633, ext. 255 for more information.

Irene Burk, CSW and Norma Lemly, a community resident and volunteer, facilitate this group. Lemly has 20 plus years' experience working with groups who address issues of abuse and parenting skills. The Parents Anonymous Group is a confidential support group in which parents support one another and discuss constructive ways of disciplining their children. There is a time limit on how long a group member can attend and new members may join at any time. The group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 8-9:30 p.m. Call 796-6633, ext. 255 for more information.

These are just a few of the Family Life/Youth Development activities that are available for the community at Yours Ours Mine Community Center.

This is the last call for recipes. The YOM International Book of Recipes is in the process of being put together for sale. If you have a recipe that you want to be included along with your name in the cookbook, please send it to: Yours Ours Mine Community Center, Recipes c/o Diane Shapiro, 152 Center Lane, Levittown, NY 11756.