OSWEGO, NY – Over the past several months, the Oswego YMCA has graciously donated several services and sites free of charge to the Families and Schools Together (FAST) program implemented by the County of Oswego Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Inc.

Once families graduate from the 8-week FAST program, they are invited to participate in a monthly FASTWORKS program.

Recently, the Oswego YMCA donated swim passes for FASTWORKS graduates to participate in family swim at their facility and they donated use of the Ponzi Recreation Center near Fort Ontario to host a FASTWORKS event.

As a result of meeting on a monthly basis, FASTWORKS participants are given the opportunity to strengthen friendships made during the initial FAST program while meeting other parents who have also graduated from the FAST program.

It provides an opportunity to experience activities outside of the home that some families may not otherwise be able to participate in.

These meetings continue to strengthen bonds and relationships within and among families and build parent empowerment while families are interacting in various community events.

Both FAST and FASTWORKS are universal, voluntary programs, available to students and their families in grades 2-6 within the Oswego City School District.

The goals of both programs are to provide encouragement and support for parents while simultaneously reducing issues pertaining to delinquency, school failure, neglect and substance abuse.

Parents learn to become advocates for their children in school and in the community.

For more information regarding either the FAST or FASTWORKS program, please contact the Prevention Department at COCOAA at 342-2370 or visit www.cocoaa.org

At the YMCA, children and teens learn values and positive behaviors, and can explore their unique talents and interests, helping them realize their potential.

For more information on the YMCA programs or membership, please call 343-1981 or visit www.oswegoymca.org

FAST and FASTWORKS is run through various funding sources including monies from COCOAA, OASAS, the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau-SDPP funding through the Office of Children and Family Services, STOP DWI, United Way and the Oswego City School District.