Kevin Youkilis visits Somerville youth

Kevin Youkilis speaks to The Guidance Center children. Youkilis poses with the whole crew. ~Photo by Jack Nicas By Jack Nicas Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis paid a visit to Somerville and Cambridge children Thursday at an event sponsored by The Guidance Center. The two-time World Series champion spoke and answered questions for over an hour. The Guidance Center is a nonprofit organization that leads 17 different programs for Somerville and Cambridge children with "emotional and behavioral imbalances," said Elizabeth Gilmore, co-president of the Center's board of directors. Youkilis was arranged to appear for the Center through a deal swung by board member RoAnn Costin. Costin won two tickets to sit next to Youkilis at Friday's Boston Celtics game through a Jimmy Fund auction, but after winning Costin said she called Youkilis and offered a swap: she'd forfeit the tickets if he came and spoke to the Center's kids. Youkilis said he accepted her offer because he'd rather speak to kids than sit with strangers at a basketball game. "It's a lot of fun to see the smiles on their faces and that's why I came," he said. "To have fun for an hour and pretty much give the kids some more joy this time of year." Youkilis also heads his own charity, Hits for Kids, which funds six different charitable programs. Four young Somerville residents, Dylan Zarket, Michaela Wayshak, Lucas Sargent and Nolan Alessandro, sat together and watched the door, awaiting Youkilis' arrival. All four said they were big red sox fans. Youkilis spoke about the importance of school and then fielded questions from the young crowd. "Who are your best friends on the Red Sox?" asked Wayshak, a fifth-grader at the Healey School. "Everyone is," Youkilis tactfully answered. But some of the Center's children showed the prowess of a seasoned reporter: "Are you going to sign a long-term contract with the Boston Red Sox?" asked one. All evening, parents, children and Center employees were smiling in their new "Yooouk!" t-shirts. After Youkilis spoke, Gilmore announced to the crowd, "This is the best holiday gift!"