Community and state leaders, volunteers, and numerous supporters of Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS)  joined NYFS Executive Director Candice Bohr and staff in celebrating the organization’s 30 years of commitment to the community, as well as honoring special NYFS award recipients, Tuesday, September 23, at a breakfast event held at Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown.

Following a brief social hour prior to the 8 am start of the breakfast, NYFS Board of Directors Chairman Jesse Rosenschein introduced the guest speaker, Dr John Murphy. Dr Murphy, president and CEO of Western Connecticut Health Network, emphasized the contributions of NYFS as being central to a mission of improving health in the community.

But the message Dr Murphy had for the breakfast guests was that public health is about much more than just health improvement.

“It’s about life improvement,” he said, sharing a lesson learned from studying the Glasgow, Scotland, health crisis brought on by not only industrial collapse in the 1960s and job losses, but more importantly, a loss of social connectedness among its residents.

“People felt marginalized,” said Dr Murphy, and this led in turn to risky behaviors that lowered the life expectancy. Health outcomes have long been linked to socioeconomics, but Glasgow was different. Compared to other cities of similar socioeconomic situations, Glasgow had a greatly decreased longevity among its citizens, with high incidences of heart and lung disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and drug and alcohol abuse. The city, he said, had lost its soul.

Using an analogy, Dr Murphy conveyed the Glasgow lesson. “Our view of public health has continued to evolve; it used to be very reactive, for instance, we would see someone drowning in a river, and then pluck them out. But that was not enough,” he said. “We recognized that we have to be more proactive and anticipate that some illness can be prevented. Fences were put up, but people walked up the river bank and still fell in. More fences were put up, but people continued to fall in the river and drown. Now we have begun to understand that our responsibilities should anticipate that sooner or later everyone is going to fall into the river.”

What NYFS does is make investments in the lives of people, and restores hope to communities, he said. “[NYFS] brings back to even the most broken people, a sense of self worth. It’s about life improvement, not just health improvement,” Dr Murphy stressed. People have to understand the world they live in, in order to choose life and choose healthy behaviors, he said.

“That’s what is precious and vital about NYFS. They are doing precisely what we need,” he said. “NYFS is teaching us how to survive in the river.”

A Mental Health Leader

“Over the past 18 to 19 months, we have been a leader of mental health in our community,” said Ms Bohr, taking the floor after Dr Murphy.

Highlights of the past year have included the New Child Therapy Room at the 15 Berkshire Road NYFS location, treating children ages 3 to adolescent, in honor of SHS first grader Jack Pinto, who died 12/14.

NYFS continues to see 12/14 patients on a walk-in basis, said Ms Bohr, and prides itself on the close relationships it maintains with private practitioners, and other in- and outpatient services. The organization provides student counseling services at Newtown High School through Martha Shilstone, LCSW, and has provided clinicians at five schools in Newtown throughout last school year and this one, as well.

“The program is amazing,” said Ms Bohr, referring to the FUSION program facilitated by NHS guidance counselor Jeff Tolson, pairing incoming freshmen with prescreened juniors for peer to peer support. More peer support is seen with the Homework Programs at Reed Intermediate and Newtown Middle School, she said.

Young people ages 13–18 will receive the foundation for getting that first job, said Ms Bohr, through the very successful Job Bank.

“I hope more people catch on to [the Job Bank],” she said. After training, young people are available to work for community members, who pay the youth directly.

The Parenting Education Program is a win-win for the entire family working through divorce, she said, and NYFS feels positive about the spin-off, Children of the Force, in which children of divorce learn to take back control of their lives.

NYFS works with the Newtown Senior Center, supports a walking club, is developing preschool programs, and working with adolescents in the autism spectrum, she said.

They are particularly proud of the Safety Town Program, teaching basic safety to prekindergarten children.

“We are pleased with the work the agency has done this year,” Ms Bohr concluded, thanking the board of directors for its behind the scenes efforts.

Legislative Citations

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (106th General) requested Representatives DebraLee Hovey (R-112) and Dan Carter (2nd General) to join him in delivering citations to volunteers. The citations had been introduced to the Connecticut General Assembly by all of them, as well as Senator John McKinney (R-Fairfield), who was not able to attend the September 23 breakfast.

“This organization does yeoman’s work,” Mr Bolinsky praised Newtown Youth & Family Services, while Ms Hovey expressed appreciation of all volunteers.

“The work you do in the community… is the glue that holds the community together,” said Mr Carter.

NYFS was pleased to honor a number of community members and organizations. The Gail Smith Award went to Newtown Police Officers Jason Flynn and Leonard Penna, who were particularly helpful in creating the local Safety Town program. Patrick Brady of B&B Home Designs was also honored for his assistance in the creation of Safety Town, receiving the 2014 Spirit of Community Award.

On behalf of the Nike Corporation, Jeannette Rodriguez accepted The H.D Bassett Award, recognizing outstanding volunteer contributions. 

“We never have to ask her to help. She just does it,” said Ms Rosenschein, introducing Alondra Marmolejos, recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Youth Award. “Her ideas and energy are unique,” and the Newtown High School student is an exemplary model for her peers, she said.

“Smiling as she puts in countless hours” was the description of Jessica Marion, who received the NYFS 2014 Employee of the Year Award.

Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman offered closing remarks, congratulating all of the honorees, as well as Ms Bohr and the NYFS board and staff.

“It is such a wonderful organization,” she said, that for 30 years has been on the frontline of caring for the community. NYFS has always served as an important partner to building a healthier Connecticut, said Lt Gov Wyman.

“The governor and I thank you for your expertise and tireless energy. Without you, we wouldn’t be such a great state,” said Lt Gov Wyman. “Happy anniversary!”