Southborough youth commission outlines May volunteer fair, new intern and arts grant

At its March 10 meeting the Town of Southborough Youth Commission highlighted several program and outreach items: staff confirmed an intern for the 2026—2027 academic year, described plans for a May 12 youth volunteer fair, and announced a grant to sustain the Crafty Crew arts program.

Director Sarah Micas said the commission has an intern lined up from Boston University, Cooper Harris, who will join the department in fall 2026 and may help develop athletic- or sports-focused programming given his academic work. Sarah described the May 12 youth volunteer fair at Algangquin (for middle- and high-school students), co-hosted with Northborough Health and Human Services, noting that booths will create an open-house feel and organizations may indicate suitable age groups with a sticker system.

Staff also reported the department received a grant from the Southboro Cultural Arts Council to continue the Crafty Crew program at Colonial Gardens, a social arts program aimed at combating loneliness among residents. Friends of the Youth Commission previewed a March 27 Nurture and Network open-house (paraffin hand dip, chair massages, raffles) to recruit volunteers and raise awareness of department programming.

Commissioners encouraged staff to compile a clear list of volunteer organizations for fair outreach and suggested promoting Interface referral service and other resources at community events. Staff said they will continue outreach at local schools and community sites and will share event details on town channels.