A part of the community for over 50 years

What is Youth Directions & Alternatives (YDA)?

We help parents of youth aged 10-21 in the Northport-East Northport, Harborfields and Elwood school districts to boost their kids' social involvement. We offer a safe and accessible community center providing kids with programs & adventures.

Our Everyday Values

Have A Good Experience

Be Respectful Of Each Other

Accept Each Other’s Uniqueness

Respect Each Other's Property

Treat Everyone
With Dignity

We Can Respectfully Disagree With Each Other

Who is YDA?

Board of Directors

YDA’s Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of every month, excluding July and August, and consists of adult community members. The Board's function is to determine the needs of the community and the direction of YDA.

In action, the Board members provide leadership and continuity, select and appoint the Executive Director, govern YDA policies, select fellow board members, fundraise money and promote the agency.

President - Mark Chapman
‍
Vice President - Patty Pansini
Treasurer - Matt Sanchez
Secretary - Deborah Winters

Directors

Crystalia Shepherd
Ann Haddad
Tiffany Asadourian
Judy Farabaugh
Candy Reeder
Jim Ruck

YDA Staff

Rod Miller

Executive Director

Jennifer Scofield

Assistant Director, LMSW

Julia Denig

Youth Worker

Brielle Neumann

Youth Outreach Worker

Frequently Asked Questions

Our History

1972

The Town of Huntington aims to decentralize youth services and forms three regional youth agencies:

- YDA-serving Northport/East Northport, Elwood and Harborfields
‍
- Tri CYA-serving Huntington, South Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor
‍
- REACH CYA- serving Half Hollow Hills and Commack

YDA starts offering youth services out of “The Flower Basket” on Laurel Road in Northport. Simultaneously, “The Place” a drug and alcohol treatment facility for teens operates down the road at 324 Main St, Northport, NY.

1973

To help spread youth services out over Northport/East Northport, YDA decides to move to a house owned by Union United Methodist Church at 7 Diane Court in East Northport. YDA would affectionately become known as the “community living room”- a home away from home for kids who may not come from a warm and loving homelife.

1980

YDA opens a satellite office at 8 Gates Street, Greenlawn to closer serve the Elwood and Harborfields communities.

1986

A local murder/suicide sparks a grassroots movement to create YDA’s Street Outreach Worker position.

This position, originally funded by different houses of worship and community members and then eventually picked by the Northport/East Northport School District, targets the most vulnerable youth and connects them to the agency.

2014

YDA purchases a 12-person van to use to transport youth to and from programs!

2015

In February, YDA moves from 8 Gates Street to a storefront on Broadway allowing for greater visibility.

2016

In June, after being taken over by the YMCA, The Place decides to vacate their space at 324 Main Street in Northport Village. Owned by First Presbyterian Church, the congregation continues their mission to support community nonprofits by inviting YDA to move into the space. YDA is thrilled to return to Northport village and on June 16th, opens a third rec space.

2017

YDA purchases a second 12-person van!

2018

YDA makes the tough decision to leave our longtime home at 7 Diane Court, East Northport to move down the road to the youth building at St. Paul’s.

2019

YDA closes the Greenlawn office and continues to transport youth from the area to the new East Northport location.

2020

YDA continues to offer in-person programming throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2021 YDA moves full-time into 324 Main Street.

2022

50 Years of YDA!

YDA celebrates 50 years of youth services! To commemorate the milestone, YDA hosted a free outdoor movie in Northport Village Park- a first for the Village of Northport!

On August 2nd, more than 100 of our neighbors enjoyed a showing of the 1958 classic, The Blob. Just like The Blob-YDA is…indescribable…indestructible! Nothing can stop us!

This free event was YDA’s way of thanking the community for fifty years of support. The Town of Huntington also honored YDA with a proclamation!

2023

YDA continues to offer high quality programming to the youth in Northport/East Northport, Elwood and Harborfields. YDA’s free outdoor movie in Northport Village Park becomes tradition as we host our second annual event in August, showing The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

YDA initiates its first brand refresh in over 50 years of community impact. The new brand strategy & visual identity were created by Boch Creative, a local brand strategy and creative studio.

2024

YDA launches refreshed website to match new branding. Providing a clear vision of how we fit into the communities we serve.

Youth Directions & Alternatives is funded by the Town of Huntington Youth Bureau, Suffolk County, the Northport/East Northport School District, the Town Wide Fund of Huntington, local churches, private grants and generous donations.