2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
BIRMINGHAM YOUTH ASSISTANCE
We are BYA! You are BYA!
Birmingham Youth Assistance
2436 W. Lincoln, Ste. F102
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
(248) 203-4300
FAX (248) 203-4301
E-MAIL:
office@birminghamyouthassistance.org
WEBSITE:
www.birminghamyouthassistance.org
Get Social with us on
__________________________________
2011-2012
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairperson
Richard Stasys
Vice-Chair
Peggy Kerr
Secretary
Christine Gannon
Treasurer
Reuben Myers
Past Chair
David R. Walker
GENERAL CITIZENS COMMITTEE
Andrew G. Acho
Sara Levitsky
Judith Adelman
Tom McDaniel
Linda Brooks
Reuben Myers
Jason Clinkscale
Lisa Owens
Mary Jo Dawson
Rachel Rotger
Russ Facione
Claudia St. Amour
Jill Reichenbach Fill
Det. Al Smith
Christine Gannon
Lori Soifer
Monica Grow
Vicki Sower
Dana Hathaway
Richard Stasys
Susan Ives
Det. Chad Trussler
Connie Jaroh
James C. Van Dyke
Nancy Johnson
David R. Walker
Peggy Kerr
Drew Yanke
Dante Lanzetta, Jr.
ADVISORY MEMBERS
Sheriff Michael Bouchard
A. Randolph Judd
David Rogers
Susan Rogers
Anne Van Dyke
OFFICE STAFF
Caseworker
Nikki Keller
Office Manager
Diedra Righter
Photo Credit Carroll DeWeese
We are proud to
celebrate
50 years
of serving
local area youth
and the
community!
On behalf of the tri-chairs for the 50th BYA Anniversary Celebration, we would like to thank all of our
sponsors, community supporters, and volunteers for a wonderful concert in Shain Park on June 20, 2012
featuring singer songwriter Steve Acho. Steve donated his performance to us for the first concert of the
season, and got the crowd singing and dancing! We enjoyed seeing people of all ages celebrate this happy
occasion for Birmingham Youth Assistance! BYA has been in your backyard for over 50 years!
We would like to say a very special thank you to Dan Dobrovich, Director, and the Seaholm Drama Club.
This extremely talented young group of performers entertained us with an original skit that helped inform
the crowd about BYA and all we do. Thank you!
Thank you to all of the committee members that made this event possible: Andy Acho, Judy Adelman,
Mary Jo Dawson, Jill Fill, Christine Gannon, Nikki Keller, Dante Lanzetta, Peggy Kerr, Tom McDaniel,
Reuben Myers, Lisa Owens, Rachel Rotger, Vicki Sower, Richard Stasys, and David Walker.
Please take advantage of our services and programs.
If you wish to donate to us, please contact us at 248-642-4882 or bya2121@aol.com.
For a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit our website
www.birminghamyouthassistance.org.
BYA 50th Anniversary Tri-chairs,
Christine Gannon Mary Jo Dawson Peggy Kerr
Our Presenting
Sponsors
The Birmingham
Optimist Club
David W. Potts, County Commissioner
Candidate for State Representative
David R. Walker, PC
Renee Lossia Acho, SKBK
Sotheby’s Realty
Judy and Joel Adelman
Mary Jo & Chip Dawson
and Family
Susan Hill of Hall & Hunter
Dante & Jane Lanzetta
Baldwin Public Library
Tom & Cindy Longhway
Payroll 1
Quarton Community Education
Richard & Kathy Stasys
Shelley Taub, Oakland
County Commissioner
Law Offices of
James Van Dyke
The mission statement of the Birmingham Youth Assistance is the prevention and reduction of juvenile delinquency,
child abuse, and child neglect, by providing community based casework and counseling services as well as providing
alternatives for children and families that live within the boundaries of the Birmingham Public School District. BYA is
a partnership of: the Oakland County Circuit Court—Family Division; the City of Birmingham and the Villages of
Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin; the Birmingham Public Schools; and community volunteers.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Dear Friends,
This past year, Birmingham
Youth Assistance celebrated 50 years
(1962-2012) of providing dedicated
services to the youth and families in
our community. The Annual Report
details this milestone celebration.
BYA’s mission is “the prevention and
reduction of juvenile delinquency,
child abuse, and child neglect by
providing positive alternatives to children and families”
through community involvement. BYA continues to collaborate with our tri-sponsors: Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division, the Birmingham School District, the City of
Birmingham, and the Villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham
Farms, and Franklin.
With our sponsors continuous financial support and
confidence in our program, BYA has successfully maintained
the mission of providing counseling services and positive programs and activities for the youth and families of the Birmingham School District. None of these programs would be possible without the passionate and talented volunteers who serve
on our General Citizens Committee.
The GCC members continue to give of their time and
energy to see that we fulfill our mission of “providing positive
alternatives to children and families”. These programs include
the Youth in Service Recognition Awards (in partnership with
the Birmingham Optimists), Kids’ Dog Show, Touch-a-Truck,
Concert in Shain Park (50th Anniversary Celebration), Breakfast with Santa, Camp Scholarship Program, Mentors Plus Pro-
gram and Family Education. Thanks to all our GCC members
and financial supporters who strive to make a difference in the
lives of the youth in our community.
“The prevention and reduction of juvenile delinquency, child
abuse and child neglect” is accomplished through BYA’s counseling and casework services. Nikki Keller, our case worker,
provides short term counseling and referral services for families and youth. We are fortunate to have Nikki who is a caring,
dedicated, and knowledgeable professional to help those who
are referred to her. Diedra Righter, our office Administrative
Assistant, continues to provide the support to our GCC members that insures our programs are successful.
On a sad note, I want to acknowledge the passing of
one of our long term, dedicated GCC members, Ron Halcrow.
He touched many lives in the Birmingham Community with
his commitment to youth and families. He is missed by the
BYA, but not forgotten.
All the programs described in this Annual Report and
future program dates can be found on our website:
www.birminghamyouthassistance.org. As you review this annual report, you will see the many ways in which BYA is able
to impact our community’s youth in a positive manner.
I invite you to again join all of our volunteers, sponsors, and businesses in supporting our 51st year of Birmingham
Youth Assistance as we address the needs and challenges of
youth and families in our community.
Richard Stasys,
BYA Chairperson
CASEWORKER’S REPORT
After being absent for a year, I feel
fortunate to have been given the opportunity to return to BYA as the
caseworker. I am committed both
personally and professionally to the
well-being of the community and the
families who reside within.
I have been employed by Oakland
County Youth Assistance for approximately 15 years and assisting families in a skilled capacity for
over 22 years. In all of my years, although passionate about
my undertakings, I have never felt more connected to the people I encounter. BYA is blessed with an extremely dedicated
group of volunteers who have careers, families and numerous
commitments but still find the time to give back tenfold. I am
in constant awe of their fervor and the work they do. In addition to the volunteerism, BYA has an equally devoted office
manager whose loyalty to the program’s success shines
through daily.
We, as a committee at large, would like to thank all of
Page 2
those who support and sponsor our efforts. We could not do it
without you. We are BYA, You are BYA and together we
can accomplish great things.
The tri-sponsorship of Birmingham Youth Assistance
provides the financial backing needed to keep the service alive.
Just as importantly they lend the support of quality people who
believe in the mission and the betterment of families.
As the caseworker, I have witnessed a change in the
nature of referrals and the receptiveness of families. Thanks to
our schools and local police departments we are seeing kids
early on and thus a rise in prevention related referrals. The
more cooperative approach between police, parents and schools
clearly contributes to the success of our children.
Thanks to all of those who have helped and continue
to help BYA ……… you are making a true impact on those
around you.
Nikki Keller, MS
Caseworker
BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
For many decades, Birmingham Youth Assistance has provided camp scholarships for children in the Birmingham community whose lives could be made
better with a summer camping experience. Often times these children have parents who have experienced divorce, job loss, illness, death, addiction, or other extreme stressors. Camp is a time for
them to play, have fun, and just be kids. BYA is committed to helping these children and families and believes that a
camp experience provides an opportunity for youngsters to learn many positive life lessons such as character development, self-confidence, socialization, and team building.
This summer 32 children received camp scholarships. Birmingham school counselors, teachers, and other staff
refer those students who are in most need. Parents can also make a referral. Most parents select a day camp for their
children while others prefer a residential overnight camp. BYA used the following camps: BPS Camp Super Summer,
the Birmingham YMCA, Camp Copneconic, Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Camp Skyline and The Community
House in Birmingham.
The mission of BYA is to provide positive alternatives to children and families for the prevention of juvenile
delinquency, child abuse, and child neglect. Summer camp is one of those positive alternatives that really helps to
make a difference in the lives of the families we serve.
Summer Camp
Richard Stasys,
Camp Chairperson
Touch-a-Truck
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, Birmingham Youth Assistance was excited to host the community
in our 5th Annual “Touch-a-Truck” event at Bingham Farms Elementary School on W. 13 Mile
Rd. At this fun family focused event, families of preschool and elementary age children from
across the area were invited to get up-close with trucks, cranes, and public safety vehicles.
Over 200 cars filled with families stopped by between 10 am and 2 pm.
The bus loop at Bingham Farms was filled with 13 different showcase vehicles from the
Beverly Hills Police and Fire Departments, the Village of Franklin, Birmingham Public Schools, and private businesses. Kids of all ages were able to sit in the cab of a boom crane and checked out the Beverly Hills and Franklin Emergency vehicles. Most families took advantage of a delicious lunch from Franks Anatra-the hot dog truck and dessert
from the Meadowbrook Ice Cream truck.
Thank you to committee members for volunteering their time: Judy Adelman, Christine Gannon, Peggy Kerr,
Dave Walker, Reuben Myers, Dick Stasys, Det. Chad Trussler, and Nikki Keller, our dedicated caseworker. I would
also like to thank all of our wonderful student volunteers from Seaholm and Groves High Schools.
And a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to our dedicated truck donors: The Beverly Hills Public Safety Dept., Laramie
Crane Co., Monaghan’s Towing, Beverly Hills DPW, Franklin Fire Dept., PM Environmental, Reefer Peterbilt, Goldner Walsh Garden & Home, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Durham Transportation (Birmingham Public
Schools), Meadowbrook Ice Cream, and Frank’s Anatra. Without them we couldn’t offer this wonderful event.
Russ Facione, Chairperson
Touch-a-Truck
BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Page 3
Photo Credit Carroll DeWeese
Annual Youth in Service Appreciation
Middle School Nominees: Sarah Andrews, Faren Bartholomew, Aaron Brooks, Jadyn Broomfield, Chloe Claeys, Mackenzie
Cochran, Kelsey DeCarteret, Emma Gijsbers, Evan Grathwohl, Derek Johnson, Caroline Manning, Coby Moscowitz, Larkin
O’Gorman, Justin Sherman, Stephanie Sills
High School Nominees: Cooper Anstett, Fred Ayres, Isabella Badalament, Eliana Barwinski, Lauren Benderoff, Erin Brown,
Anna Collins, Eric Denha, Austin Echols, Robert Ellinger, Nick Glover, Adam Green, Austin Kue, Heather Latimer, Carlos
Leao, Jake Martin, Kelsey McClear, John Mullen, Arielle O’Bryan, Cullen O’Keefe, Shannon Nierman, Carina Nikoriak, Rennie Pasquinelli, Parker Roberts, Madison Romney, Valentina Sanchez, Tyler Scott, Ellen Searle, Alexandra Sherman, Rachael
Stein, J.P. Tallent, Megan VanErmen, Matthew Wilkinson, Kevin Witenoff
Photo Credit Carroll DeWeese
April 18, 2012 marked the 2nd Annual Youth in Service Appreciation. Birmingham Youth Assistance is
proud to collaborate with the Birmingham Optimists, a civic service organization known as the “Friends of
Youth”.
The event was held at The Birmingham Community House, a long time supporter of both Birmingham Youth
Assistance and the Birmingham Optimist. The organizations honored 15 Middle School and 34 High School
students who had been nominated by their counselor, teacher or other civic service leader, for their outstanding contributions to our community.
Family members, school administrators, local, county and state government officials, and members of Oakland County and Birmingham Youth Assistance, and the Birmingham Optimist, were among those celebrating the incredible work and unselfish hours of time given by the honorees. Schools represented were: Birmingham Covington
School, Berkshire Middle School, Derby Middle School, Brother Rice, Groves High School, Seaholm High School, Academy
of the Sacred Heart, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory, Marian, and Cranbrook/Kingswood.
We had the pleasure of welcoming the Honorees and their families and friends. Greetings were extended
from the Oakland County Circuit Court by the Honorable Edward Sosnick and Pastor Christine Gannon,
BYA member and Pastor of Student Ministries at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, gave the
Invocation.
Our Keynote Speaker this year was the Honorable Charles Pugh, Detroit City Council President. Council
Member Pugh talked about the importance of Detroit to the suburbs and vice versa, as well as various synergies that could be achieved between the two communities for the benefit of all. He gave an inspirational
and informative speech and challenged the audience to work together for the benefit of the entire Detroit
The Honorable Charles Pugh Metropolitan Community.
Thereafter, the nominees were recognized and their individual achievements noted by myself and James Van Dyke,
Attorney and Board Member and Officer of BYA for many years. I would like to thank all of the local dignitaries, judges, and
public officials that took time out their busy schedules as they also helped us recognize these outstanding young people.
This year we had two very outstanding candidates for the Jane Parker Ward Memorial Award. Oakland County Sheriff
Michael Bouchard presented the award this year. Arielle O’Bryan of Marian High School and Madison Romney of Cranbrook/
Kingswood High School were the recipients.
We thank the public officials, teachers and school officials, family and friends, as well as all of those volunteers from
Birmingham Youth Assistance and The Birmingham Optimists, and the staff of Birmingham Youth Assistance, Nikki Keller,
Caseworker and Diedra Righter, Office Manager, who helped in making the 2012 Youth In Service Appreciation Awards Event
Breakfast such a success. I would also like to recognize The Birmingham Community House for their continued support in
many ways of Birmingham Youth Assistance. In this time of economic difficulties, I would especially like to recognize our
many Sponsors.
David R. Walker, Chair
Birmingham Youth Assistance &
Birmingham Optimists
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BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
31st Annual
Kids’ Dog Show
The 31st Annual Kids’ Dog Show was held on February 12, 2012 at Berkshire Middle School.
The first place winners in all categories were:
Best Costume
Best Behaved
Best Trick
Most Personality
Smallest
Largest
Best Looking
Ian, Alexa, & Sienna Weinberg and Chloe (Daisy Dog)
G.G. Fill and Sabine (Sheltie)
Ryan Strager and Romeo (Shi-Poo)
Reigan Henderson and ChaChi (Yorkie Mix)
Evelyn & Lauren Wilson and Ruby (Tea Cup Yorkie)
Claire Walton & Clover (Irish Setter)
Abby Swayze and Tolie (English Setter)
Best in Show
G. G. Fill & Sabine (Sheltie)
The annual T-shirt design contest was held for the second time at Harlan Elementary
School. Our contest winner this year was Emily Hailer. Our runners up were: Giselle Mills, Erin Roberts, and Olivia Lang. We appreciate the skillful printing of the winning design by Kurt’s Kustom
Graphics. Our Dog Show judges this year were Birmingham School Board Member Chris Conti, City
of Birmingham Mayor Mark Nickita, Beverly Hills Council Member Walter Briggs, 40th District State
Representative Chuck Moss, Pam Roehr of the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club, and Mike
Palmer of Premier Pet Supply. The judges once again did a great job of making difficult decisions.
Jason Clinkscale, Principal of Berkshire Middle School, made his debut as Emcee and was terrific. We continued our partnership with the Birmingham Pet Pantry, a program to gather donations of
pet food to be distributed to families in need, which included a contest for who could bring in the most
pet food donations by weight. The winner’s dog (Boomer) became BYA’s 50th Anniversary Mascot.
We were also able to accommodate an information table for, and a presentation by, the Groves Amnesty/Animal Rights Club.
The faithful support of Premier Pet Supply and the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club is deeply appreciated. I am also very grateful to the numerous BYA volunteers and student volunteers who make this event possible.
Jim Van Dyke
Chair, Kids’ Dog Show
2012 Best in Show
Boomer is our BYA 50th Anniversary Mascot!
He was chosen to represent BYA at the Dog Show.
Thank you Boomer for being such a
great advocate for our organization!
We love you!
Photo by Carroll DeWeese
BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Page 5
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
2011-2012
Andy Acho
Renee Acho
Steve Acho
Judith & Joel Adelman
Carol & John Aubrey
Nancy & Lawrence Bluth
Sheila & John Brice
Marceline & Gerald Bright
James Buchanan
Gale Colwell
Mary Jo & Chip Dawson
Richard Durda
Susan & Geoff Hill
Tina & Douglas Krizanic
Connie Jaroh
Peggy Kerr
Rita Kerr
Dante & Jane Lanzetta
Dr. & Mrs. G. Robert Lesser
Barbara Lewis
Tom & Cindy Longhway
Thomas & Susan McDaniel
Gayle & William Orlow
Lois & Irvin Poston
David Potts
Susan & David Rogers
Thomas Schellenberg
Shirley Sinelli
Richard & Kathy Stasys
Shelley Taub
Anne & James Van Dyke
Dorothy & Robert Warren
David R. Walker
Hon. Joan E. Young
AGENCY & BUSINESS
DONATIONS
Barbara Boz Boutique
Baldwin Public Library
Beta Sales & Marketing, Inc.
Berkshire Middle School PTA
Beverly Elementary PTA
Biggby Coffee
The Birmingham Bloomfield
Chamber of Commerce
BPS Community Education
Councils
Bloomfield Tennis & Fitness
City of Birmingham
First United Methodist Church
Frank’s Anatra
Harlan Elementary Community
Education
The Lyon Foundation
Pembroke Elementary Community
Education
The Principal Shopping District
Quarton Elementary Community
Education
Seaholm High School PTSA
Southern Michigan Obedience
Training Club
St. James Episcopal Church
Stillwater Collective
The Village Woman’s Club
Village of Beverly Hills
Village of Bingham Farms
Village of Franklin
Page 6
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Breakfast with Santa was again a wonderful and successful event. Birmingham Youth Assistance has been organizing
this fun filled family event since 1993. Held at the Community
House in Birmingham on Saturday, December 3, 2011, our
breakfast has become a family tradition for many of our Birmingham area families.
We would like to thank our truly awesome volunteers
from the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Rochester, Seaholm, and
Groves High Schools that acted as Santa’s Helpers. The teen
volunteers also helped keep children entertained with face painting and temporary tattoos while they eagerly anticipated their
turn with Santa. Thanks also to the Derby Orchestra members
and to the Groves Senior Choir. Their beautiful gift of music
helped set the tone as families were being seated. All of these
special teens gave up part of their Saturday morning to help make our event a success. Wilma the Clown created balloon creations that accompanied the children home and Absolutely
Baffling Bill the magician and his bunny sidekick kept the children (parents too!) highly
entertained as children waited to see Santa. Santa was able to spend quality one-to-one time
with all of the children, which surely was the highlight of their morning.
A very special thank you is extended to Santa. He has been faithfully hearing children’s wishes for us for 19 years. Thank you to The Community House for their partnership
of this event. We appreciated the help of our wonderful BYA volunteers and special thanks
to Russ Facione, our breakfast emcee. Without the help of our dedicated volunteers, events
such as this would not be possible. We would also like to thank the Birmingham Police Department for extending the time on the parking meters so our families could enjoy their
breakfast without the worry of a parking ticket.
Mary Jo Dawson and Reuben Myers, Co-chairs
Breakfast with Santa
An Evening at Barbara Boz Boutique
From left to right: Barbara Boz, Lucia
Lucas, and Nada Jurisic
A mild 2012 January evening
kicked off our year long celebration
of 50 years of service for Birmingham Youth Assistance at Barbara
Boz Boutique, 205 East Maple in
downtown Birmingham! The evening was filled with happy shoppers
eager to get their hands on the incredible pieces of jewelry and accessories inside of Barbara’s very
hip shop. Barbara donated a percentage of the sales back to BYA.
Thank you to the shoppers that
came to patronize a great local business to support Birmingham YA. Thank you Barbara,
for your commitment to our organization and community, and Youth Assistance!
BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
2012 ADVERTISING/PROGRAM BOOKLET
Birmingham Youth Assistance’s annual fundraising booklet includes a Community Resource Directory. Copies of our
booklet are distributed to our advertisers and to all attendees of our Kids’ Dog Show in February, our Youth In Service Recognition
Breakfast in April, Touch-a-Truck in May, the Birmingham Summer Farmer’s Market, our Sponsors Breakfast in October, and at
Breakfast With Santa in December.
If you would like to support Birmingham Youth Assistance by purchasing an ad, please contact the office at (248) 642-4882.
Mentor’s
PLUS Program
The Mentor’s PLUS Program matches prescreened volunteers with children based on various criteria. Children are referred to the Mentor
PLUS Program through a variety of venues. The
process starts with our Caseworker Nikki Keller.
She comes to us with a vast amount of experience
in various areas of Oakland County Youth Assistance and represents a significant and invaluable
asset with regard to counseling and advice to the
Mentor/Mentee and to the parents as well.
We continue to seek qualified male and female volunteers who
are willing to spend a very small amount of time with a child for a very
large return. Currently, we have had a new Mentor join the program
and they seem to be doing well.
I have had the privilege of being matched with the same young
man since 2003. He is now 16 and the little boy that I met nine years
ago has developed into an impressive young man. He does well in
school, as well as in athletics. He is currently preparing to take the
ACTs and begin the process for college. He’s also started driving and
I am helping him earn how to drive a stick-shift. I think he is very excited to move on to this next stage of his life and, perhaps because of
his involvement with the Mentor’s Plus program, he will be prepared
for this important transition into manhood.
If anyone is interested in joining the Mentors PLUS Program
as a Mentor or has a nomination of someone who would like to be a
Mentor, I would like to encourage you to please contact the BYA office at (248) 642-4882. I would be more than happy to speak personally with anyone that might be interested in making a difference in one
child’s life, one day at a time. The program requires a very small commitment of time. That commitment will certainly make an enormous
difference in a child’s life. I believe there are more than equal benefits
to the Mentor in making a contribution to a child and helping them
achieve their full potential.
David R. Walker, Chair
Mentors PLUS Committee
BYA 2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT
We wish to acknowledge and
thank our loyal advertisers
Andy & Dee Acho
Astrein’s Creative Jewelers
Baldwin Public Library
Bank of Birmingham
Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber
Birmingham Community Education
Birmingham Family YMCA
Birmingham Maple Clinic
Birmingham Optimist Club
Birmingham Principal Shopping District
Birmingham Public Schools
Birmingham Wellness Center
Bloomfield Tennis & Fitness
Blossoms
BPS Community Education Councils
Canine Inn
The Community House in Birmingham
Correll Associates, P.C.
Cynthia Longhway, M.S. CCC/SP
Dante Lanzetta, Oakland Road Cycling Advocacy
David Potts, J.D., PLLC
David R. Walker, PC
First United Methodist Church
Gasow Veterinary Hospital
Greek Islands Opa!
Joel & Judith Adelman
Karma Yoga
Keil & Associates, CPA-PC
Kurt’s Kustom Promotions
Marcia Gershenson, County Commissioner
Market Fresh
Mary Jo Dawson, MA LPC
Mill’s Pharmacy
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office
Payroll 1
Premier Pet Supply
Renee Acho, SKBK Sotheby’s International
Rose Pest Solutions
St. James Episcopal Church
Seeger People Photography
The Self Esteem Shop
Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club
Stillwater Collective
Tyler, Dumas & Reyes-Orthodontic Specialists
The Varsity Shop
Vanker, Saad - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Page 7
ABOUT YOUTH ASSISTANCE
Oakland County Youth Assistance has been dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency, child abuse
and neglect since 1953. Twenty-six offices in Oakland County provide programs to serve youth and their
families, under the auspices of the Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division. Youth Assistance programs work because they are community based and developed by volunteers who have their fingers on the
pulse of the community. The County of Oakland does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission
or access to its programs, activities or services as required by Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act
of 1990. The County of Oakland is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Birmingham Youth Assistance has been a non-profit community-based service organization committed to
youth and their families through a variety of programs and resources since 1962. BYA operates with the
sponsorship and generosity of the Oakland County Circuit Court—Family Division, as well as the City of Birmingham, the Villages of
Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Franklin, and the Birmingham Public Schools. Principal funding is supplied through the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners.
Touch-a-Truck 2012
Birmingham Youth Assistance
wishes to thank
The First United Methodist Church,
The Community House in Birmingham,
Bingham Farms Elementary,
Berkshire Middle School,
and St. James Episcopal Church
for providing space for meetings
and BYA programs.
BYA SPONSORS
OAKLAND COUNTY
CIRCUIT COURT
FAMILY DIVISION
Hon. Elizabeth Pezzetti
Presiding Judge of Family Division
Hon. Mary Ellen Brennan
Hon. Lisa Gorcyca
Hon. Linda S. Hallmark
Hon. Cheryl A. Matthews
Hon. Edward Sosnick
Hon. Joan E. Young
OAKLAND COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Marcia Gershenson
David W. Potts
Shelley Taub
STATE OF MICHIGAN
OFFICIALS
Rep. Chuck Moss
Sen. John Pappageorge
Rep. Gary Peters
BIRMINGHAM
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dr. David Larson, Superintendent
Susan Hill, Board President
Michael Fenberg, Board Vice-President
Christopher Conti, Board Trustee
Robert Lawrence, Board Trustee
Geri Rinschler, Board Trustee
Deborah Roberts, Board Trustee
Lori Soifer, Board Trustee
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Robert J. Bruner, City Manager
Mark Nickita, Mayor
George Dilgard, Mayor Pro-Tem
Rackeline J. Hoff, Commissioner
Tom McDaniel, Commissioner
Scott Moore, Commissioner
Gordon Rinschler, Commissioner
Stuart Lee Sherman, Commissioner
VILLAGE OF BEVERLY HILLS
Chris Wilson, Village Manager
Rosanne Koss, Council President
Walter Briggs, President Pro-Tem
Greg Burry, Council Member
Brian LaFerriere, Council Member
Tim Mercer, Council Member
John Mooney, Council Member
Jon Oen, Council Member
VILLAGE OF BINGHAM FARMS
Kathryn Hagaman, Village Clerk
Delores Tripp, President
Mel Ettenson, President Pro-Tem
Rodger Kesley, Trustee
Donald Ketai, Trustee
Jeffrey Modell, Trustee
Dorothy Warren, Trustee
VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN
Amy Sullivan, Village Administrator
James Kochensparger, President
Lew Eads, President Pro-Tem
Brian Gordon, Trustee
Pam Hansen, Trustee
Tom Morrow, Trustee
Steven Rosenthal, Trustee
Mike Seltzer, Trustee