Y.O.U. New Bedford is Dedicated to Getting Kids Off Devices and Outside

Community Garden

For this week's Southcoast Health Community Spotlight, we put our shine on Bernadette Souza, the Executive Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), an organization that caters to 9 to 14 year-olds with after school and summer programs.  The program is based at the Victory Park in New Bedford's South End.

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"Our main goal is to get kids outside.  Whether it is a ride along that beach to watch a sunset, once you're riding it does something to you. It's all about getting the kids off of those devices, getting outside and experiencing life. We service about 60 kids a week.

The Y.O.U. Bike Program

Y.O.U. has a community bike shop located at 195 West Rodney French Boulevard. It's open on Saturdays from 8 to 12. Any child that needs a bike or has a bike that might need repairs is welcomed.  Children can work side by side with a mechanic to learn how to fix a flat, adjust brakes, and more.  "If they pick a bike and they see something that needs to be fixed, they work with mechanic and then once they're done, that bike is theirs," said Souza.

Community Garden

Y.O.U. has a community garden located at Victory Park.  Children can learn how to grow their own food.  "It goes farm to table," says Souza.  "We have a food for thought cooking program where we invite chefs coming in, teaching them how to cook healthy, simple meals they can replicate at home."

LISTEN:  Bernadette Souza Appears on MGM Show

What About Winter?

"These kids are outdoors in the wintertime tracking the coyote footprints. It's all about three things:  safety, fun, and learning. They got to be safe first, but we want to make sure they're having so much fun that the learning just comes naturally," says Souza.

October Fundraiser

The Y.O.U. fundraiser is happening on October 17th at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.  Tickets are on sale at youNB.org.