Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc. (SYFS)

09/14/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month and it all starts with awareness.
Awareness is paying attention when someone you know isn't acting like themselves.
Awareness includes checking in with yourself. Your mental health matters, too.

Swipe through to learn some of the warning signs and what to look for. Because awareness isn't just about spotting the problem, it's about caring enough to notice.

You're not alone. 💙

09/01/2026

It's baaaaaack! The Haunted Hillando Halloween Maze, the BEST family-friendly maze in MA! Tickets ON SALE NOW thru 10/18! Opening night is Oct. 2nd. Entry times and some nights did sell out last year, so make your plans soon!

A family-friendly Halloween Maze fundraiser

08/26/2026

Meet Rookie! National Dog Day is the perfect time to recognize that dogs aren’t just pets, they’re mood-boosters, stress-relievers, and some of the best supporters for our mental health. Thanks for being such a good boy, Rookie. 🐾

08/25/2026

Back-to-school anxiety is real, and you're not alone. Swipe through for practical strategies that might help like naming what you're worried about, practicing coping skills early on, reestablishing routines, talking to someone you trust and reframing those nerves as readiness.
Anxiety about school doesn't have to be something you power through alone. SYFS offers counseling and support for students navigating back-to-school stress. Reach out, we're here!

08/22/2026

We’re giving you explicit permission to slow down.
Not after you finish your to-do list. Not when school starts and “things calm down.” Not when you’ve earned it through productivity.
Right now.
As August speeds ahead and back-to-school stress keeps building, relaxation isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s not lazy. It’s not selfish. It’s the thing that keeps your nervous system from burning out. It’s the breath before the rush. It’s the reset button your mind and body actually need.
So, take a walk without your phone. Sit outside and do nothing. Read something just for fun. Take a bath. Nap. Whatever relaxes you, do that today.
And if you’re struggling to relax, if anxiety won’t let you rest, that’s something we can work through together at SYFS. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through it.

08/13/2026

Your voice matters. Your feelings matter. Your concerns about school, about friendships, about the future, they’re worth being heard. Your perspective isn’t “just teen drama.” It’s real, it’s valid, and the adults in your life should be listening.
At SYFS, we believe young people deserve spaces where they’re truly heard, not fixed, not rushed, not minimized.
Not just on designated days, but all year long.

If you’re navigating back-to-school anxiety, friendship stress, family stuff, or anything else weighing on you, your voice deserves space. We’re here to listen.
If you need a space to be heard, reach out. Let’s connect.

08/07/2026

Whether those words "back to school" excite you or fill you with dread, one of the most powerful things you can do right now is start shifting back into a school-year routine, even if school doesn't start for a few more weeks.

Consistent bedtimes. Regular mealtimes. A predictable morning rhythm. These aren't boring, they're anchoring. They give your body and mind something familiar to hold onto during transition. And they make those first days back SO much smoother.

If routines feel hard to start or stick with, that's normal too. Start small. One thing. Maybe it's bedtime, or maybe it's a 15-minute walk after breakfast. Build from there.

Our counselors at SYFS can help you work through what routines might actually fit your family's life, if you're struggling with this transition. Let's talk about what works for you.

08/03/2026

Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services, Inc. (SYFS)
FRIENDLY HOUSE
Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance

Did you know that these three organizations have a
central theme that is core to their mission? They are all
involved with making life a little easier for those who are in
need. They excel at strengthening youth and families by
building hope, restoring dignity and creating opportunities
that many families would otherwise never have access to.
Every child has a right to a great education and to have
the supplies that they need to get them off to a great start
at school.

Our Giving Opportunity for the month of August will be a
collection of school supplies in support of students in
need. Your donations of pens, pencils, notebooks,
backpacks, crayons, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, colored
pencils, etc., will be divided among these three
organizations. Your continued support of our monthly
Giving Opportunities is deeply appreciated and felt
throughout the community. Thank you.

08/02/2026

It’s okay to feel both excited AND nervous about going back to school.
Whether you’re a student counting down the days or feeling butterflies in your stomach, a parent juggling logistics and worries, or an educator preparing your classroom and your heart, these mixed emotions? They’re completely normal.
Summer shifts to routines. New teachers. New classmates. New expectations. Even good changes can feel uncertain.
At , we want you to know: all of it is valid. The excitement. The anxiety. The exhaustion. The hope. You don’t have to pick just one.
This August, we’re here to support you through the transition. If you’d like to talk through what’s coming up, we’re just a phone call away.

07/31/2026

A quick reminder as summer rolls on: SYFS doesn’t take the summer off. Our services for youth and families are here year-round, because hard days don’t follow a school calendar. If your family could use support, reach out. We’re here.