The Valley Council for Health & Human Services will hold its Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.
The event will feature a keynote presentation entitled ​“What Kids Need to Succeed: Inspiration for the Valley Community” by Tim M. Duffey, M.Ed., a nationally recognized expert on mobilizing communities to nurture positive youth development with an assets-based approach.
The breakfast meeting and awards presentation, sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation, will be held from 7:30 – 10 am at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby.
Tim Duffey currently serves as President and Training Manager of Vision Training Associates, an authorized provider of training services for the Search Institute, a leader in national and international efforts to train communities in positive youth development methods. Mr. Duffey has extensive experience serving as a public speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations and communities interesting in creating community change to improve the lives of young people.
Jennifer L. DeWitt, Executive Director of the Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Action Council, highlighted the role of Tim Duffey’s inspiring presentations and training in helping to create the award-winning youth development efforts of the City of Waterbury. ​“Tim Duffey and the Search Institute understand that in order to prevent risk taking behaviors and their associated consequences, we have to build strong communities of care that speak the language of assets, value all youth, and work together to create opportunities for young people to thrive and be successful in life,” said DeWitt.
On the occasion of its Annual Meeting, the Valley Council will also present community service awards. The Agency/Program of the Year Award recognizes a nonprofit agency that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the health and well being of Lower Naugatuck Valley residents. This year’s award will be presented to the Derby Bureau of Youth Services for its outstanding efforts to address the needs of the city’s young people.
The Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award, named in honor of a long-time Valley United Way employee and community leader, is presented to individuals for outstanding achievement as employees in the non-profit community. This year’s honoree is Rita L. Fazzino, a Sanitarian and Housing Code Enforcement officer at the Naugatuck Valley Health District, for her tireless efforts to protect the health of Valley citizens.
The Richard O. Belden Community Service Award, named in honor of late State representative Richard O. Belden, is given to an individual or group whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of Valley residents. The Council will present the 2012 Belden award to the Naomi Wallace, for her many years of generous dedication to improving the lives of Valley residents.
In addition, this year the Council will present a special Chairperson’s award to John McGann, who until recently served as Clinical Director at Catholic Charities in Ansonia and Milford, for his committed leadership and service to the Valley Council and his many years of work to nurture the mental health and overall wellbeing of Valley citizens.
A full invitation and registration information for the Valley Council Annual Meeting and Awards presentation is available online at
www.valleycouncil.org or by calling the Valley United Way at (203) 926‑9478. Registrations will also be accepted at the door. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 am. The registration fee is $20 per person for Valley Council member agency representatives and $25 per person for other community attendees.