BRATTLEBORO — Youth Services topped off its year-long 40th anniversary celebration with the honoring of board member emeritus Larry Cassidy, who was one of the founders of the agency when he was barely more than a youth himself.
The announcement of the creation of the Larry Cassidy Fund of Youth Services' Endowment took Cassidy by surprise on Nov. 14. It was launched with $15,000 in gifts made in his honor.
The endowment committee, headed by board member Ana Saavedra, hopes to increase that figure to $20,000 by the end of the fiscal year, in June, with the community's support.
According to Saavedra, while the principal from gifts grows untouched, the income from the fund provides discretionary funds each year to sustain or develop new programs, help cover unanticipated financial emergencies, and permit the agency to both attract and retain quality staff.
In toasting Cassidy as the 40th Anniversary Honoree, Jesse Corum IV, the other board member emeritus at Youth Services, described the privilege and pleasure he had working with Cassidy as a board member, negotiator, and interviewer.
“I've witnessed his calm demeanor and intriguing questions on many an occasion,” said Corum. “Larry tackles a problem with a different focus than others and he is a skilled consensus builder.”
Youth Services' staff helps with problems ranging from the challenges associated with growing up, to substance abuse, communications at home, disinterest in school or trouble with the law. According to its website, since the agency was established in 1972, it has assisted an average 1,679 children, young people, and adults each year.
Andrea Livermore, who served as executive director from 1991 to 2000, joined former executive directors Sally Pennington and Allyson Villars in touting Cassidy's support.
“As I got to know Larry, I began to realize he is wise, charismatic, and seemed to have a magic sense about him,” Livermore said.
“He will sit with you, talk in broad strokes, offer no specifics and yet one always comes away feeling better about those issues of concern and with clarity of what to do next,” Livermore said.
Board President Barbara Gentry said that Cassidy's dedication to Youth Services “has made it the community asset it is today.”
Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and can be made by check, by credit card, or through the donation of appreciated securities, IRA, or bequest.
Mail to Youth Services, P.O. Box 6008, Brattleboro, VT 05302-6008, call 802-257-0361, or contribute online at www.youthservicesinc.org.