Family After School Program

For Children

Riverside offers a structured, therapeutic after-school program for children ages 6-12 who have experienced various challenges, including but not limited to neglect, homelessness, various forms of abuse, or trauma-related and neurodevelopmental diagnoses such as PTSD or ADHD. The primary goal of the Family After-School Program is to prevent hospitalization or out-of-home placement for youth who require therapeutic services and cannot attend a traditional after-school setting.

We provide clinically intensive, trauma-informed services so children can learn to express themselves and gain coping skills to help them thrive. We offer individual services along with group activities like art and movement therapy, trauma-informed care, and a space for discussing difficult topics and building peer relationships.

For Families

Our philosophy is that “a child cannot be treated apart from their family, nor can the family be treated apart from the larger community.” Family support and collaboration is integral to children’s success, and to enhance those connections, we hold monthly events such as movie night and art night, and regular youth advisory  meetings and family forums.

Hours

The Family After-School Program is typically open weekdays during the school year from 2:30-5:30pm. Transportation is provided from school, and can also be arranged at the end of the day; a child would be home no later than 6:15pm. During the summer our hours are 1:00-4:30pm.

 

Youth living in the Cambridge and Somerville area are referred to the program by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and/or the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

 

To view our downloadable Family After-School Program flyer, click the image below.