a note from molly

Dear Youth Center Members, Families, Community Members, and Donors,

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without this organization. My father, Matt Congdon, deserves all the credit for that. He was the architect of this awe-inspiring, engaging, laughter-filled environment.

I was a Youth Center kid. This place was my second home, my sanctuary. It’s where I grew up. Each day after school I excitedly rushed through the doors, laced up my basketball sneakers and jumped in on the pick-up game rotations. I was an only child, but the truth is, I’ve had thousands of siblings, because at the Youth Center we are a family.

I have treasured every second with the many generations of kids that I have had the privilege of watching grow from 5th to 12th graders before my eyes. I’ve been there to celebrate your victories, share in your sorrows, encourage your dreams, and share in innumerable outbursts of laughter. My time with all of you has been incredibly special.

Even though the center isn’t staffed with world-class surgeons, wounds—physical and emotional— are tended to and patched up, problems are remedied and lives are still, in a sense, saved. How is that possible? The answer is simple: Love.

My dad was the best mentor that I could have asked for. I miss his advice, his sarcastic wit, his mischievous mustached grin, his tenacity, his strength and his unwavering spirit. I’m sure that those of you who knew him share my sentiments. He was my guidepost for everything.

The Youth Center is where I feel closest to him. I feel him in the office beside me during every conversation. I hear him in the laughter of the kids and sometimes I catch myself looking for him, glancing back to find his face and share a smile during the most joyful moments and then I come to the crushing realization that he’s not standing next to me and hasn’t been for quite some time.

I have done and will continue to do my best to follow his footsteps as the Executive Director. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this organization, but I believe that this place has given me so much more.

I want to thank all of the donors who have supported our mission, the community members who have rallied around us, the families who trust us with their children and—most importantly—all the members we have served, are currently serving and will serve in the future. You have touched our lives impermeably and forever.

The Youth Center provides youngsters with faith that there are people who believe in them and their dreams, hope for a brighter future and -most importantly- the love most of them have never been given. I am optimistic that you will feel the same way.

Sincerely,

Molly Congdon-Hunsdon

Executive Director