​Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services inc.

About Us

Non-profit counseling and social services agency, providing a diverse offering of programs 

Our History

Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, Inc. (SYFS), formerly known as Shrewsbury Community Services, Inc. (SCS), is the Town of Shrewsbury’s only private, non-profit human service agency and primary provider of social services for low-income families, regardless of their ability to pay. SYFS was founded in 1983, at the urging of Westborough District Court Judge William Brewin, to help address the high rate of juvenile delinquency among Shrewsbury youth. Since its inception the agency has expanded its focus to respond to the changing needs in our community.

SYFS works in collaboration with local organizations to provide counseling and education services to strengthen and enhance the lives of Shrewsbury families. Over the past 27+ years, SYFS has built strong community partnerships with town government, the police, schools, churches, and other social service organizations to provide professional counseling, education, and social support services. These partnerships enhance our ability to create a safety net to support those individuals, children, and families most in need.

Although SYFS receives municipal funds from the Town of Shrewsbury, our Board of Directors and staff members work diligently to raise nearly 40-45% of our annual budget. Community and business contributions allow us to keep up with the increased demand for our services and help those who have nowhere else to turn. SYFS never denies clients services based upon their ability to pay.

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Our Impact

On average annually, SYFS assists over 700 client-families—encompassing over 6,000 hours of service every year. Over 40% of these clients fell within the Low-No Income Range. Our services help address such debilitating issues as child abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, eating disorders, juvenile delinquency, anxiety, depression, divorce, and child academic and behavior disorders.

SYFS utilizes professional staff and dedicated, experienced town volunteers to provide quality services to our clients. Our professional clinical staff members all possess advanced (minimum Master’s-level) degrees in such areas of specialty as Clinical Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Master’s in Education. Our Clinical Staff Members have years of experience in working with youth, families, adults, and/or seniors in need of services.

Our Board of Directors are dedicated Shrewsbury professionals who actively volunteer their time to ensure that Shrewsbury’s counseling and social support needs are met. All of our Board of Directors either live, have lived or work in the town of Shrewsbury.