March 14, 2003

The YouthCare program, an at-risk youth program at MGH Charlestown, will soon have a new home thanks in part to a generous gift from the Flatley Company. YouthCare is a therapeutic program that serves children with social, emotional and behavioral disabilities. The program soon will be able to expand and enhance its services with its new location on the third floor of 15 Green St. in Charlestown.

The space, which is located in one of two buildings that houses the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club, currently is being renovated and should be ready for occupancy in September.

Since 1993, YouthCare has served 15 to 18 special-needs youth through small therapeutic after-school and teen programs. The new space will allow the programs to expand to meet the needs of at least 40 children. The new location, with 2,200 square feet of space, will additionally allow YouthCare to house its summer program and will help alleviate office space constraints at MGH Charlestown. Overall, YouthCare will increase its total enrollment from 110 to 160 children per year.

While the Flatley funding will benefit the renovations project, YouthCare also is seeking support for its many other activities that help children with a variety of special needs, such as Asperger's syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder.

To help raise money for these much-needed services, YouthCare is hosting its third annual "Give Children a Chance" gala April 3 at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston with guest host Bob Lobel from WBZ-TV. The event will feature cocktails, a buffet, musical entertainment and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $125. For more information, call (617) 724-8786.