Charity Events and Opportunities
Wide Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser Darien Depot Youth Center 2020

Depot Fundraiser to Recognize Individuals, Families Who Helped Open Its Doors 30 Years Ago

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Celebrating its 30th year, the Depot Youth Center — the oldest teen center in the nation — will be kicking the year off from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Country Club of Darien with its “Blue Jeans and Blazers” fundraiser. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The event will feature live music with Jump the Gunn, dancing and delicious eats. There will be a special tribute honoring Depot founders Edmund von Schmidt and Carol Bishko. Going forward, the inaugural “Founders Award” will be given each year to a person who best exemplifies and supports the original Depot mission.

Darien Depot
8th Grade SADD 8th Grade Grade Eight Darien Depot

8th Grade Chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Starts Thursday at Depot

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The Darien Depot is introducing an 8th Grade SADD Program starting this Thursday, Jan. 23, but he Depot says students who can’t show up on that date or the next four should not sign up. The program will meet one Thursday a month after school, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

— an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

SADD’s mission is “to provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving and other destructive decisions.”

The national program was founded on the simple philosophy that “young people, empowered to help each other, are the most effective force in prevention.” The Depot already sponsors the Darien Depot Chapter of the National Program. All Eighth Grade students, whether private, public or home-schooled, are encouraged to join.

Darien Depot

Red Cross Baby Sitting Course on Feb 2 at Depot Youth Center

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Middle school students can learn the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly babysit younger children and infants at a Red Cross course being held Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The training takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

From the announcement:

“The training will help develop leadership skills […] and learning about  basic child care, as well as basic first aid, “according to an announcement from the Depot. “Each class is limited to the first 20 who sign up. […] You may join a wait list if registration is full.

Darien Depot
The Depot S4 Study Skills seminar for parents homework battles

‘Seven Ways to End Homework Battles’ — Free Parent Seminar Jan 23 at the Depot

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Parents will learn how to motivate their student and end the homework power struggle in a one-hour, interactive free parent seminar on Jan. 23 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The seminar, “Seven Ways to End Homework Battles: Challenges and Solutons,” is presented by S4 Study Skills and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. Parents will leave knowing how to support their homework practice, and how to motivate them to action to get results without a meltdown. While there’s no charge for the program, registration is requested.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Depot Blue Jeans and Blazers fundraiser image 2020

Wear Your Jeans to the Depot Youth Center’s ‘Blue Jeans & Blazers’ Feb 8 Fundraiser

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You’re invited to shake off those winter blues, get into your favorite blue jeans and come to the Depot Youth Center’s annual winter fundraiser “Blue Jeans & Blazers” on Saturday, Feb. 8. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

Blue Jeans & Blazers takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at Country Club of Darien. The fundraiser supports programming at the Depot. The fundraiser features music by Jump the Gunn, “signature” cocktails and, of course, eats.

Darien Depot
Depot Holiday Wrap-Up poster 2019

Let the Depot Elves Help You Wrap Christmas Presents This Friday Through Monday

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Have time to shop but no time to wrap? The Darien Depot Youth Center’s elves are back to wrap presents for residents just before the holidays. Drop off unwrapped and labeled presents at the Depot and we will handle the wrapping. A minimum $20 charge is required, but keep in mind that it helps the Depot run programs.

The “Holiday Wrap-Up” runs from:

3 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20, and 10 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dec.

Darien Depot
The Garden Club Jan March 2020 poster wide

Girls in 7th, 8th Grades Invited to Join Depot’s 2nd Session of ‘Garden Club’ (It’s Not About Gardening)

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The Depot invites 7th and 8th grade girls to join the Garden Club, a group that will help them “water their beauty within while equipping them with the tools to form healthy roots as they blossom into flourishing young ladies!” “Based on the book Water Yourself by Shannon Malkin Daniels, this club will help girls learn to make time for themselves, weed out the bad and make room for the good,” says the poster for the club (see below). — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The second session runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12, 2020 at the Depot Youth Center.

Darien Depot
Fifth Grade Party Darien Depot Oct 22 2019

POSTPONED: Depot 5th Grade Party Now Scheduled for Thursday, Oct 24

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Darien Depot’s 5th Grade Party has been postponed from this afternoon, Tuesday, to its rain date, Thursday, Oct. 24 at the same time, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Here’s the original event listing:

Calling all Darien 5th graders! The Depot’s Fall 5th Grade Party will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. DJ Jimmy Jams will supply the music and games; face painting, and pizza. The Depot concession will also be open serving up your favorite treats.

Darien Depot
Troubled Teen Parent Support Group Anxiety Substance Abuse Suicide Counseling Social Problems Turnbridge Life Solutions Center of Darien

‘Seven Ways to Support Your Student’s Study Habits’ — Free Parent Seminar Oct 24 at the Depot

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Back by popular request: The Depot Youth Center invites you to a free parent seminar: “Seven Ways to Support Your Student’s Study Habits,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

During this powerful one-hour presentation, parents will learn how they can support their student with seven tools and concrete ideas that can be implemented right away for better results and grades. There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested. Register here.

Darien Depot

Disney’s ‘Gabby and the Unsittables’ Sunday at Darien Playhouse, a Free Show With Free Food

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CALLING ALL KIDS! The Darien Playhouse will be showing two episodes of Disney’s newest program, “Gabby & the Unsittables” this Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The two 22-minute episodes are free of charge, as is the popcorn and drinks. — an announcement from the Darien Depot Teen Center

Disney describes the new TV program, which debuts on Friday, this way:

“Gabby Duran (Kylie Cantrall) constantly feels like she’s living in the shadows of her uber-polished, successful mother Dina (Valery Ortiz), and smart younger sister Olivia (Coco Christo).

Darien Depot
Emily Torchiana speaks on teen suicide, mental health

Talk on Teen Suicide From One Who’s Tried It: Teens and Parents Invited to Darien Library, Oct 3

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Teens and their parents are invited to hear suicide attempt survivor Emily Torchiana speak at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 at Darien Library. She speaks about being a victim to severe cyberbullying in high school, which led her to her struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, depression and social anxiety, as well as overcoming a suicide attempt. — an announcement from the Depot, Darien’s youth center

Torchiana, shatters the stigma surrounding mental health, by speaking at middle and high schools, conferences, and universities across the country about her experiences. Her speech brings to light the silent stigma of mental health and build awareness about the serious effects of bullying and her presentations help individuals who are currently struggling to know they are not alone.

Darien Depot

New Depot Program for 7th Grade Girls: ‘The Garden Club’ (Which Is Not a Garden Club)

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The Depot Youth Center’s new Wednesday afternoon program for girls in Grade 7, “The Garden Club,” isn’t actually about gardening but about nurturing yourself, according to the organization’s description:

“Empowering young girls to water their beauty within while equipping them with the tools to form healthy roots as they blossom into flourishing young ladies!” Amanda Mariano, assistant program director at the Depot, is the Garden Club facilitator. She said she hopes “each girl walks away truly feeling empowered and equipped to walk through their journey of life.”

The program will include a “Family Feedback Branch,” in which parents can communicate to Mariano any feedback from home which she can in turn emphasize in the curriculum and present to the group. ‘Water Yourself’ by Shannon Malkin Daniels
The six-week program is taken from the book Water Yourself by Shannon Malkin Daniels. “It’s such an honor to hear my book has inspired your program, the Garden Club,” Daniels told the Depot.

Darien Depot
Choose Love Enrichment Program

Parents Can Register 7th, 8th Graders Now for One of 40 Seats in ‘Choose Love’ Enrichment Program at the Depot

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The Depot youth center is hosting an intensive program with a limited number of seats for 7th and 8th grade Darien students, teaching them “core competencies and skills, beyond academics, that can empower them to thrive emotionally, mentally, personally and socially,” according to an email sent out by the Depot. Called the “Jesse Lewis Choose Love Enrichment Program,” the twice-a-month workshops held Monday afternoons at the Depot will have two sessions, the first for 7th graders and the second for 8th graders, with sessions meeting at different times on Monday afternoons. In informational meeting for 7th and 8th graders and their parents will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 9 at the Depot. The program is free (paid for by the Darien Foundation) and open to any student in either grade, but with limited spaces.