Austin Piccarreta

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Sept. 20, 2018) Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services’ Youth Program Coordinator Austin Piccarreta announced during a Berlin Parks Commission meeting last week she is leaving her position.

Piccarreta, a New Jersey native, was hired last year and quickly became known for her energy and enthusiasm. She has accepted a position at a new behavioral health facility in Georgetown, Delaware, closer to home.

Included in her many tasks at the Berlin nonprofit, Piccarreta provided monthly updates on youth group activities to the Berlin Parks Commission. The town provides an annual grant to Worcester Youth, which last year totaled $40,000.

Last Tuesday, she reported on outings with children and teens in the Berlin Youth Club and SAGES and SABERS programs, including swimming lessons at the Ocean Pines Sports Core pool with lifeguards from Ocean City, and a trip to the Jolly Roger water park with volunteers from the Berlin Police Department.

Participants also participated in team-building exercises – on kayaks – at Ayers Creek, and took trips to Scales and Tails in Pocomoke and Shell We Bounce in Lewes. Summer activities included everything from STEM classes to beach yoga, Piccarreta said.

“I’d like to thank you guys for welcoming me. This is a small town and you have welcomed me with open arms, and I know I’m probably the loudest, craziest thing you probably ever saw,” she said with a laugh. “But you welcomed me and you all were very helpful with suggestions, and I appreciate it.

“I am going to miss what I do and I am going to miss the kids, especially, because I love those little boogers,” Piccarreta continued. “My hope is that they just continue to be the great kids that they are.”

Her last day is Friday.

“You brought a lot of energy to this,” Berlin Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen said.

“The gifts that you offered these children, with opportunities to learn and grow, that’s the goal [and] it’s wonderful what you did,” Commission member Patricia Dufendach said.

Worcester Youth posted a job listing for the position earlier this month. For more information, search “Youth Programs Coordinator – Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services” on Facebook.

For more information on Worcester Youth, visit www.gowoyo.org.