Youth Services offers specialized programs to help Lexington youths and their families. The programs are designed to support and strengthen family life, assist with family crisis and prevent family breakdown.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): If you’re interested in helping children, you can volunteer for the CASA project. CASA provides court appointed, trained, volunteer advocates to speak for children who are deemed abused or neglected. Call 246-4334 ext. 330 for more information.

Gainesway Community Empowerment Center: The Center offers many services, including parenting classes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, career planning, and a visiting mobile health care unit for southern Fayette County residents. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 1165 Centre Parkway, Suite 100. Call 271-8800 for more information.

Kenwick Youth Project (KYP): Kenwick Youth Project cooperates with the Division of Parks and Recreation to provide social services to youth and their families in north-east Lexington. Learn more about this project by visiting the Kenwick Community Center at 313 Owsley Avenue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Call 266-3572 for more information.

West End Community Empowerment Project (WECEP): WECEP works in collaboration with Youth Services, and the University of Kentucky College of Social Work to promote neighborhood self-sufficiency, encourage resident involvement, and develop community resources. For more information, visit the Black & Williams Center, 498 Georgetown St., weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call 281-1248.

Youth Services also offers other services such as a community-based treatment program at the Lexington Day Treatment Center; the Social Services Casework and Community Services program, a family-centered approach to casework for youth and their families; and Probation and Court Services, which seeks to reduce the impact of delinquency on the community. For information, call 246-4300 or visit the Youth Services website.