Newtown Youth Services

Moves To Sandy Hook

By Larissa Lytwyn

Six months into a tireless search for a new location, Newtown Youth Services has finally found a new home — at 10 Glen Road in Sandy Hook.

“We had been looking for a larger location that could accommodate our growing services,” said NYS Director Anthony Tozzi.

Most the places NYS staff and board members had searched, he continued, were traditional offices spaces either inappropriate or too expensive for NYS’s needs.

“We wanted a place with a warm, welcoming environment,” Mr Tozzi said. “We believe we have finally found the perfect location in Sandy Hook.”

Property owner Ray Ruzek is a longtime supporter of Newtown Youth Services.

“I had put an ad in The Newtown Bee classifieds a few weeks ago and was contacted by [NYS board member] Joy Kopesky,” he said. “When I found out that NYS was interested, I was really excited. They are a wonderful community organization to have in Newtown.”

Mr Ruzek purchased 10 Glen Road in 1982; the house is 200 years old this year.

“Originally I lived there and had my own CPA firm out of it,” he said. “Later, it primarily became a business location.”

The house has been home to a few tenants over the years, many of them businesses, Mr Ruzek said.

Most recently, a man trying to open an Irish art gallery occupied the location. The business never quite left the ground.

“I now have a two-year lease with Newtown Youth Services,” Mr Ruzek said. “The official move-in date was June 2.”

He said he was thrilled that NYS will now be in Sandy Hook center.

“There are really quite a few people striving to revitalize the area,” he said. “I think NYS will be an asset in that way.” The house, he added, has a very warm feeling to it.

“I feel that there were a lot of happy families that lived there,” Mr Ruzek said. “The place just has a great feeling to it!”

Though phone numbers will be the same, it may take a few days to transfer services. Internet service should be up and running over the next few weeks. Mr Tozzi encouraged community members to “stop by and help us unpack.”

Newtown Youth Services has temporarily suspended its services for the move but will be back in business as soon as possible, according to Mr Tozzi.