Center for Youth releases ‘Doves of Dreams'

NEWTON - The Newton Green was aglow with Christmas lights and the sounds of children from the Center for Youth Dec. 5 as they prepared to release “Doves for Dreams.” Dylan Strus and Ciarra Sanchez-Decker released the doves to symbolize the confidence and self esteem the children receive from the center’s programs. The Center for Youth is an after-school program offered by the Center for Prevention and Counseling, a non-profit agency based in Newton. For more than 30 years, the agency has provided support and counseling to individuals and families suffering form the effects of drug dependency. The agency also offers programs and advocacy for elderly, people with disabilities, middle school children and the homeless. While one of the released doves chose to stay perched atop the gazebo, another pair circled the town square, and after one “victory lap,” flew to their freedom. As part of the fund raiser, ceramic dove ornaments handmade by artists Tom and Phyllis Roberts of New York, are being sold throughout Sussex County for $10 each. The ornaments are available at Century 21 Gross & Jansen offices in Branchville, Vernon, Sparta, and Andover; Condit Toyota & Ford in Newton; the Food Barn in Sussex; Grano Chiropractic offices in Andover and Hamburg; In A Briz Party Plus in Newton; Little Professor in Byram; Shear Happiness in Andover; STOP program in the Frankford Schools; the Tea Hive in Newton; Total Image in Branchville, and Vivian’s in Newton. Ornaments may also be purchased at the Center for Prevention and Counseling, 61 Spring St., Newton. For information, call 973-383-4787, or send a fax to 973-383-6576, or e-mail info@centerforprevention.org, or visit online at centerforprevention.org. All proceeds go to benefit the center.