Youth Services

READY, SET, SCHOOL! – Students in Grades 6-12 were given a back-to-school celebration September 7 at the Franklin Youth Center. Members of the Franklin Township Youth Center were treated to a special event on September 7: A Back-To-School festival. The students, in grades 6 through 12, were offered activities such as laser tag in the gym and computer games, and …

NEW DIRECTOR – Stephen Dahl, the Township’s new Recreation Director, made his public debut at the Independence Day Celebration on July 3 in the Municipal Complex. The Township has installed new leadership in the Parks & Recreation Department and the Franklin Township Youth Center. Stephen Dahl takes over the helm of Parks & Rec, according to a July 3 announcement …

Supporters of the Franklin Township Youth Center gathered at the Lewis Street facility on October 19 for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The plaque lists the names of the people responsible for bringing the center to fruition. The center, which was dedicated on May 14, 2022, recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary. Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, who championed the Youth …

PARTY EMCEE – Windy White, the Township Parks & Recreation Department’s Deputy Director, speaks during the May 20 Franklin Township Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration. The Franklin Township Youth Center threw itself a birthday party on May 20 to celebrate its first year of operation. The Center officially opened its doors on May 14, 2022. At the anniversary event, attendees …

CONGRESSWOMAN RETURNS – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, seen here speaking at the 2022 Youth Center grand opening, will return to the center on May 20 for its first anniversary. (File photo). U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman will be the featured speaker at the Franklin Youth Center’s first anniversary celebration, slated for noon on May 20. Coleman will speak during the …

The Franklin Reporter & Advocate was out and about on October 28 and 29, bringing you donations, parties and fundraisers. Om October 28, we were at the Franklin Food Bank HQ on Churchill Road where the food bank received a nearly $7,000 cash donation from the Sodhani Foundation and members of the Canal Walk community. Here’s a video of the …

Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois, far right, presents a special plaque to Saffie Kallon, second from right, for her work on the township Youth Center. The celebration of the new Franklin Township Youth Center continued at the May 24 Township Council meeting, with a special presentation to one of the Center’s guiding forces. Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large) credited with …

Parks & Recreation Director Beau Byrtus, right, talks about the Youth Center opening as Advisory Recreation Council chairman Keith Stewart looks on. More than 400 township youths have taken out free memberships in the township Youth Center, with the facility’s grand opening just days away. That was the word on May 11 from Beau Byrtus, the director of Parks and …

The Grand Opening Celebration will be followed by a “Youth Fest.” (File photo.) U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) will be among the dignitaries attending the grand opening of the Franklin Youth Center, set for 1 p.m. on May 14. The Center is located at 429 Lewis Street. Watson Coleman will present a $1 million House Appropriations Committee Community Project …

Applications will be accepted through June 1. Applications are now being accepted for the Franklin Township Police’s Youth Police Academy, to be held from July 14-22, 2022. The program is open to students in 8th to 12 grades. The application deadline is June 1. The academy will be held daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is open to …